Immagini della pagina
PDF
ePub

1. Pero

ration consists of

four things.

i. We

CHAP. XIX.

Of the Peroration.

THE peroration is composed of four things:-of getting the hearer favourable to one's self, and ill-disposed towards the adversary; and of amplification and extenuation; and of placing the hearer under the influence of the passions; and of awakening his reiii. collection.

ii.

iv.

must incline the

hearers favourably.

2. ii. We must amplify and diminish.

3. iii. We

must excite the hearers.

4. iv. We must awaken

the memory.

For after showing yourself to be on the right side, and your adversary on the wrong, it naturally follows to praise and blame, and to give the last finish. And one of two things the speaker ought to aim at, either to show that he is good relatively to them, [the audience,] or is so absolutely; and that the other party is bad, either relatively to them, or absolutely. And the elements, out of which one ought to get up persons as of such characters, have been stated; both whence one should establish them as bad, and whence as good. Next to this, these points having been already shown, it follows naturally to amplify or diminish: for the facts must needs be acknowledged, if one be about to state their quantity; for the increase of bodies is from substances previously existing. But the elements, out of which one must amplify and diminish, are above set forth.

Next to this, the facts being clear both as to their nature and degree, it follows that we excite the hearer to passion; such as are, pity, terror, anger, hatred, envy, emulation, and contentiousness: the elements of these also have been stated above.

So that it merely remains to awaken a recollection of what has been before stated. And this we are to do here, in the way in which some erroneous teachers say we should in the exordium: for in order that the facts may be readily perceived, they bid us state them frequently. Now there [in the exordium] indeed we ought to state the case at full, in order that it may not be unknown to the hearer upon what the

trial turns; here, however, [in the peroration,] merely the means by which it has been proved, and that summarily.

tion must

tor has

compare

of his op

The commencement of the peroration will be, that 5. The one has made good what he undertook; so that it will perorabe to be stated, as well what one has adduced, as for assert that what reasons. And it is expressed either by means the oraof a juxtaposition with the adversary's statements; proved and draw the comparison either between every point his point whatsoever, which both have stated relative to the He must same thing; or else not by a direct opposition. "He, his arguindeed, on this subject said so and so; but I so and ments so, and for such reasons." Or, by a kind of banter- with those ing: thus, "He said so and so, and I so and so.” ponent, And, "What would he do, had he proved this, and either not the other point!" Or by interrogation :-"What ironically, has not been fully proved on my side?" or, has this man established?" Either in this way, tion. then, must the speaker conclude, or he must, in natural order, so state his reasoning as it was originally stated; and, again, if he pleases, he may state distinctly that of the adversary's speech. And, for 6. The disjointed the close, the style without connectives is becoming, in order that it may be a peroration, not an oration1: suitable I have spoken,-you have heard, -the case is in to the per your hands,—pronounce your decision 2.

or by in

"What terroga

1 See the conclusion of Lysias' oration against Eratosthenes. 2 It cannot fail of being observed how neatly Aristotle employs this his concluding chapter, as at once an ilustration of the subject and a farewell to the reader.

style is

oration.

A BRIEF

OF THE

ART OF RHETORICK;

CONTAINING IN SUBSTANCE ALL THAT ARISTOTLE HATH WRITTEN

IN HIS THREE BOOKS ON THAT SUBJECT.

BY

THOMAS HOBBES,

OF MALMSBURY.

REPRINTED FROM THE EDITION PRINTED AT LONDON IN 1681.

T

« IndietroContinua »