Rhetorica Mar 2001

Rhetorical Theory and the Rise and Decline of Dictamen in the Middle Ages and Early Renaissance

John O. Ward

Abstract

This paper examines the links between Classical (Ciceronian) rhetorical theory and the teaching of medieval Latin prose composition and epistolography between the eleventh century and the renaissance, mainly in Italy Classical rhetorical theory was not replaced by dictamen, nor was it the “research dimension” of everyday dictaminal activity. Rather Classical rhetorical theory, prose composition and epistolography responded to distinct market niches which appeared from time to time in different places as a consequence of social and political changes. Boncompagno’s apparent setting aside of Ciceronian rhetorical theory in favour of stricter notarial and dictaminal procedures was in turn superseded by his successors who chose to enrich their notarial theory with studies of classical rhetoric. Classical rhetorical theory proved influential on dictaminal theory and practice. Dictamen was not ousted by classical rhetoric. It only really declined when growing lay literacy and the use of the vernacular combined with the autonomous professionalism of the legal training institutions to erode the privileged position occupied in medieval times by the dictatores.

Journal
Rhetorica
Published
2001-03-01
DOI
10.1353/rht.2001.0019
CompPile
Search in CompPile ↗
Open Access
Closed
Topics
classical rhetoric modern rhetorical theory rhetorical criticism teacher development literacy studies
Export
BibTeX RIS

Citation Context

Cited by in this index (0)

No articles in this index cite this work.

Cites in this index (0)

No references match articles in this index.

CrossRef global citation count: 10 View in citation network → Build reading path →

Related Articles

  1. Rhetorica Jun 2017
    Epideictic Rhetoric: Questioning the Stakes of Ancient Praise by Laurent Pernot ↗
    Brad L. Cook
    classical rhetoric modern rhetorical theory rhetorical criticism feminist rhetorics teacher development assessment grammar and mechanics literacy studies gender and writing public rhetoric
  2. Advances in the History of Rhetoric May 2016
    Rhetoric and Power: The Drama of Classical Greece ↗
    Tara Wambach
    classical rhetoric modern rhetorical theory rhetorical criticism teacher development argument archival research digital rhetoric literacy studies public rhetoric
  3. Advances in the History of Rhetoric May 2016
    An Essay on Current Quintilian Studies in English, With a Select Bibliography of Items Published Since 1990 ↗
    James J. Murphy
    classical rhetoric modern rhetorical theory rhetorical criticism writing pedagogy teacher development argument grammar and mechanics literacy studies gender and writing public rhetoric literary studies editorial matter
  4. Rhetorica Sep 2005
    Rhetorical Education in America ed. by Cheryl Glenn, et al ↗
    Jane Donawerth
    classical rhetoric modern rhetorical theory rhetorical criticism discourse analysis feminist rhetorics teacher development revision argument literacy studies race and writing gender and writing
  5. Rhetoric Review Sep 1995
    Review Essays ↗
    Richard Leo Enos; Carolyn Matalene; Erec Toso; Randy Harris; Sean Patrick O'Rourke
    classical rhetoric modern rhetorical theory rhetorical criticism first-year composition teacher development argument literacy studies book reviews