Body Language and Genre

21 Abril 2020, 10:00 • Fotini Hadjittofi

Greek: Body Language and Gestures Questions

The sophists and teachers of rhetoric who traversed the Roman Empire giving lectures or participating in diplomatic missions were preoccupied not only with language but alsowith physical appearance, including dress and deportment. For the following questions please re-read Lucian’s The Teacher of Rhetoric, which you already read for Week 9:

What does physiognomy have to do with rhetorical delivery? How important is delivery for a speech’s reception?

Nonnus’ sprawling epic poem, the Dionysiaca (fifth century CE), includes frequent

references to pantomime, which was an extremely popular form of theatrical entertainment in the Imperial period. After reading Nonnus’ description of a pantomime competition, consider the following questions:

Why do you think pantomime was so maligned by elite intellectuals?

What can the orator and the pantomime dancer possibly have in common?

If rhetoric in the Imperial period becomes increasingly gestural, how does this development

influence rhetorical style (you may consider Nonnus’ style too)?

Primary Text

Nonnus, Dionysiaca 19.118-348 Lucian, The Teacher of Rhetoric

Secondary Readings

Gleason, M. W. 1995. Making Men. Sophists and Self-Presentation in Ancient Rome: 82–130. Princeton.

Lada-Richards, I. 2008. “Was Pantomime ‘Good to Think With’ in the Ancient World?”, in E. Hall and R. Wyles (eds.), New Directions in Ancient Pantomime: 285–313. Oxford.

Roman: Rhetoric and Poetry / Body Language and Gestures

Questions

What is the relationship between rhetoric and poetry?
How instrumental were body language and gestures to the delivery of a speech?

Primary Texts
Tacitus, Dialogue on Orators 5.3–13.6

Quintilian, Institutio Oratoria 11.3.65–184

Secondary Readings

Dominik, W. J. 1992. “Roman Poetry and Rhetoric: A Reminder of the Affinity Between the Two Arts”, Akroterion 37.2: 61–67.

Hall, J. 2007. “Oratorical Delivery and the Emotions: Theory and Practice”, in W. Dominik and J. Hall (eds.), A Companion to Roman Rhetoric: 218–234. Oxford.

Wülfing, P. 2003. “Classical and Modern Gesticulation Accompanying Speech: An Early Theory of Body Language by Quintilian”, in O. Tellegen-Couperus (ed.), Quintilian and the Law: The Art of Persuasion in Law and Politics: 266–275. Leuven.