Rhetorica Aug 1999

Ciceronian Rhetoric in Italy, 1260-1350

Virginia Cox

Abstract

Abstract: The later thirteenth and early fourteenth centuries in Italy saw a marked new interest in the study of Ciceronian rhetorical theory, in both Latin and vernacular contexts. This reflects the increasing prominence within the civic culture of the Italian communes of practices of oral and adversarial rhetoric which the dominant instrument of rhetorical instruction in this period, the ars dictaminis, was ill-equipped to teach. While the utility of the strategies of argument taught by Roman rhetorical theory was widely recognised in this period, the ethical attitudes implicit in that theory represented a challenge to prevailing Christian constructions of the moral decorum of speech. Classical rhetorical theory may thus be seen to have constituted a destabilising presence within late medieval ethical discourse: a situation which presisted, to some extent, even after the political and cultural changes of the later Trecento had displaced rhetoric in Italy from a primary to a secondary, literary and educational, role.

Journal
Rhetorica
Published
1999-08-01
DOI
10.1525/rh.1999.17.3.239
CompPile
Open Access
Closed
Topics
classical rhetoric modern rhetorical theory rhetorical criticism discourse analysis
Export
BibTeX RIS

Citation Context

Cited by in this index (0)

No articles in this index cite this work.

References (29) · 3 in this index

  1. Witt Ronald G. (1983)
    Stanford Italian Review
  2. Sgrilli Paola (1976)
    Medioevo Romanzo
  3. Scolari Antonio (1984)
    Medioevo romanzo
  4. 10.2307/2861451
     ↗
  5. McManamon John M. (1982)
    Rinascimento
Show all 29 →
  1. Najemy John M. (1994)
    Politica'", Dante Studies
  2. Nuchehnans Gabriel (1957)
    Latomus
  3. Nederman Cary J. (1988)
    10.2307/2709701
    Jourrml of the History of Ideas  ↗
  4. 10.1016/0304-4181(92)90017-S
     ↗
  5. Fredborg Karin Margareta (1988)
    Pontifical Institute of Medieval Studies
  6. The Commentary"; Ward, Ciceronian Rhetoric, esp. pp.
  7. Medieval Ars Dictaminis", cit. in n.
  8. Faba Guido (1960)
    Quadrivium
  9. Tunberg Terence O. (1986)
    10.1017/S0362152900004116
    ", Traditio  ↗
  10. (1977)
    Marga Cottino-Jones and Edward F. Tuttle (Ravenna: Longo
  11. Natali (1995)
    Ars ed adus. Il fine dell'arte retorica seconde Quintiliano.
    Rhetorica
  12. Johnston (1986)
    The Treatment of Speech in Medieval Ethical and Courtesy Literature
    Rhetorica
  13. Kantorowicz Emst H. (1941-43)
    Jourrml of Medieval and Renaissance Studies
  14. Colclough (1999)
    Parrhesia: The Rhetoric of Free Speech in Early Modern England
    Rhetorica
  15. Witt Ronald G. (1986)
    Journal of Medieval and Rermissance Studies
  16. Cox Virginia (1997)
    Sixteenth Century Jourrml
  17. Fraudulent Counsel Note (1974)
    Dante Studies
  18. MarkuUn Joseph (1982)
    Dante Studies
  19. Ahem John (1982)
    Rorrmnic Review
  20. Quentin Skinner (1991)
    Proceedings of the British Academy
  21. Monfasani John (1992)
    Rhetorica
  22. Pampaloni Guido (1961)
    Archivio storico italiano
  23. (1962)
    Archivio storico italiano
  24. 10.2307/750781
     ↗
CrossRef global citation count: 14 View in citation network → Build reading path →

Related Articles

  1. Poroi Feb 2026
    Using Stasis Theory as a Heuristic for Examining Epistemological Dilemmas in a Post-Truth Landscape ↗
    Bruce Bowles
    classical rhetoric modern rhetorical theory rhetorical criticism discourse analysis argument
  2. Philosophy & Rhetoric Oct 2025
    The Intellectual and Cultural Origins of Chaïm Perelman and Lucie Olbrechts-Tyteca’s New Rhetoric Project: Commentaries on and Translations of Seven Foundational Articles, 1933–1958 ↗
    Christopher W. Tindale
    classical rhetoric modern rhetorical theory rhetorical criticism genre theory discourse analysis revision argument collaborative writing editorial matter
  3. Rhetorica Sep 2025
    Herrick, Hoskyns, and the Ars Praedicandi : Sartorial Metaphor in the Rhetorical Tradition ↗
    Brent Nelson
    classical rhetoric modern rhetorical theory rhetorical criticism discourse analysis
  4. Rhetoric & Public Affairs Sep 2024
    Populist Rhetorics Case Studies and a Minimalist Definition ↗
    Arthur E. Walzer
    classical rhetoric modern rhetorical theory rhetorical criticism discourse analysis argument digital rhetoric social media disability studies public rhetoric editorial matter
  5. Business and Professional Communication Quarterly Feb 2024
    Entrepreneurial Mindsets & Rhetorical Canons: Enhancing Business Communication Pedagogy via Cross-disciplinary Theory, Praxis ↗
    Josie A. Burks; Craig E. Armstrong
    classical rhetoric modern rhetorical theory rhetorical criticism discourse analysis writing pedagogy professional writing