All About Institutio Oratoria by Quintilian: A Detailed Examination of the 12 Volumes
Institutio Oratoria (The Institutes of Oratory) by the Roman rhetorician Quintilian is one of the most influential works in the field of rhetoric. Published around 95 AD, it stands as a comprehensive guide to the art of oratory, offering in-depth knowledge about the foundational education and development of the orator. Quintilian’s approach is not just about the technicalities of speech-making but also about shaping the character of the orator.
In this blog post, we’ll dive deep into the 12 volumes of Institutio Oratoria, examining the content and structure of each book to understand Quintilian’s legacy and his contribution to rhetoric and education.
Volume 1: The Early Education of the Orator
In Book I, Quintilian discusses the early stages of an orator’s education. He emphasizes the importance of beginning education at a very young age, outlining the essential subjects for the formation of an orator. Quintilian stresses that the mental development of a child is as important as the physical growth of the body, insisting that education should never be neglected. He places a high value on the role of the teacher, particularly the nurse and the paedagogus (the slave tutor), who should ensure the child’s learning starts correctly. Quintilian discusses elements like grammar, reading, and composition, as well as the correct use of language. He also gives a glimpse into the curriculum, which includes the study of word derivations, parts of speech, figures of speech, and orthography.
Volume 2: Rhetoric as an Art
In Book II, Quintilian defines rhetoric as an art and categorizes it into theoretical, practical, and productive components. He explores the nature of rhetoric and its virtue, comparing it to philosophy. Rhetoric, according to Quintilian, can be used to bring forth ethical persuasion, moving beyond mere rhetoric for manipulation. He examines the relationship between oratory and philosophy, and the interaction between theory and practice in effective speech-making. The book lays the foundation for understanding rhetoric as both an art and a method of persuasion.
Volume 3: Origins, Types, and Causes of Oratory
Book III takes the reader through the origins of rhetoric and delves into the three types of oratory: panegyric, deliberative, and forensic. Quintilian explores the relationship between oratory and its causes, offering an apology for the technical aspects of his discussion. He goes on to describe the various divisions of oratory and its purposes, from praising to advising and defending. The book looks at how orators engage with different subjects, emphasizing the importance of knowing the cause in order to speak effectively.
Volume 4: The Parts of an Oration
Book IV is a detailed examination of the parts of an oration, following the structure set out by Cicero. Quintilian discusses the importance of arranging a speech into its various parts: introduction, narration, division, proof, refutation, and conclusion. Each part plays a specific role in shaping the speech and ensuring that the audience is persuaded effectively. This volume is foundational in understanding the structure of a successful speech and provides practical guidance on organizing an argument.
Volume 5: Proofs in Rhetoric
Book V is largely focused on proofs, breaking them down into artificial and unartificial categories. Artificial proofs are those created by the orator, such as logical arguments and rhetorical strategies. Unartificial proofs, on the other hand, come from external sources such as documents or witnesses. Quintilian discusses the various ways that proof can be used to support an argument and how it must be skillfully integrated into the speech. This volume gives a clear understanding of how an orator convinces the audience through evidence and reasoning.
Volume 6: Laughter and the Emotional Appeal
Book VI introduces a fascinating discussion on laughter, exploring how humor and emotional appeal can be integrated into rhetoric. Quintilian connects laughter to ethos, pathos, and logos, the three artistic appeals identified by Aristotle. He discusses how to use emotions to sway the audience, but he also warns about the dangers of excessive emotion, advising orators to strike a balance. The book delves into the role of emotions in persuasive speech, offering insights into how laughter and humor can be strategically used to make a point.
Volume 7: Arrangement
Book VII covers the important concept of arrangement, one of Cicero’s five canons of rhetoric. It explores the order in which different parts of a speech should be presented for maximum effect. Quintilian discusses the importance of structure in keeping the audience engaged and ensuring that the argument flows logically. This volume is particularly valuable for anyone seeking to understand how to present a well-organized argument that builds naturally to a compelling conclusion.
Volume 8: Style
In Book VIII, Quintilian turns his attention to style, one of the five canons of rhetoric. He discusses the importance of clarity, appropriateness, and elegance in speech. The book offers guidance on how to craft a speech with the right tone, word choice, and sentence structure. Quintilian stresses that a speech should reflect the character of the speaker and resonate with the audience. He also discusses the use of rhetorical figures, such as metaphors, similes, and hyperbole, to enhance the style and emotional impact of the speech.
Volume 9: The Figure and the Tropes
Book IX is an in-depth examination of rhetorical figures and tropes. Quintilian explores how these devices—such as metaphor, metonymy, and synecdoche—are used to enhance meaning and emotional appeal. He divides figures into two types: figures of thought and figures of diction. Figures of thought can intensify emotions or add elegance, while figures of diction focus on the grammatical or rhetorical manipulation of words. This volume is essential for understanding how orators use language to captivate their audience.
Volume 10: Imitation and Composition
Book X emphasizes the importance of imitation in the development of the orator. Quintilian argues that one of the most crucial aspects of becoming a skilled orator is studying and imitating the best works of previous authors. He explores various forms of composition, including translation, paraphrase, and improvisation, showing how these techniques can be used to refine one’s rhetorical skills. Quintilian stresses the need for careful premeditation and warns against relying on improvisation without proper preparation.
Volume 11: The Orator’s Role and Memory
In Book XI, Quintilian examines the orator’s role in society, stressing the importance of understanding the audience and tailoring the speech accordingly. He discusses how to engage with different types of listeners, whether it’s a court, the emperor, or the general public. Memory and delivery are also covered in detail, outlining the methods an orator can use to retain and present information effectively. The book highlights the importance of knowing your material and delivering it with confidence.
Volume 12: The Career of the Orator
Book XII concludes Institutio Oratoria by discussing the orator’s career after training. Quintilian’s emphasis on the orator’s ethical character—what he refers to as vir bonus (a good man)—is central to this final volume. The orator must possess not only technical skill but also moral integrity. Quintilian explores how the orator should select cases, deal with clients, and manage their public career. He advocates for a career devoted to justice rather than self-promotion, concluding with a call for the orator to strive for excellence in both character and speech.
Conclusion
Quintilian’s Institutio Oratoria remains a timeless masterpiece, providing detailed insight into the theory and practice of rhetoric. His work is not only a guide for would-be orators but also a profound philosophical reflection on education, ethics, and the role of speech in society. By dividing his work into twelve volumes, Quintilian offered a comprehensive approach to the study of rhetoric, blending technical instruction with moral and intellectual guidance. Whether you are an aspiring orator or someone interested in the art of persuasion, Institutio Oratoria provides invaluable lessons that are still relevant today.
Outlines
Compact Outline:
Book I Elementary Education (Prior to Rhetoric)
Book II The Nature and Rudiments of Rhetoric
Book III Invention: Kinds of Oratory
Book IV Arrangement (The Parts of a Speech)
Book V Arrangement and Proofs
Book VI Arrangement, Pathos, Judgment
Book VII Arrangement, Laws, Reasoning
Book VIII Eloquence: Style, Words, Tropes
Book IX Eloquence: Figures of Thought and Speech
Book X Training Eloquence: Reading, Composition, Speaking
Book XI Kairos, Memory, and Delivery
Book XII The Character of an Orator: Duties, Studies, etc.
Detailed Outline:
Book One
1.1 Elementary Education
1.2 Public vs. Private Education
1.3 Capacity and Treatment of Students
1.4 Grammar
1.5 Purity of Language and Vices of Diction
1.6 Origin and Usage of Words
1.7 Spelling
1.8 Reading, Authors to be Read
1.9 Composition
1.10 Studies Adjunct to Rhetoric
1.11 Lessons from the Theatre: Delivery, Gesture, Recitation, Gymnastics
1.12 Studying Multiple Subjects Simultaneously
Book Two
2.1 Rhetoric vis-a-vis Grammar
2.2 Choice of Teacher; The Teacher – Pupil Relationship
2.3 Inferior Teachers
2.4 Progymnasmata (Elementary Rhetorical Exercises)
2.5 Rhetorical Analysis of Literary Authors
2.6 Declamation – Amount of Guidance for; Imitation
2.7 Declamation and Memorization
2.8 Customizing Methods to Pupil’s Abilities
2.9 Students to Treat Teachers as Parents
2.10 Themes for Declamation to have Verisimilitude
2.11 Necessity of Rhetorical Instruction
2.12 Untrained Speakers – Pro and Con
2.13 Need for Adapting of Rules
2.14 “Rhetoric” and “Oratory” Considered
2.15 Definitions of Oratory
2.16 The Value of Oratory Attacked and Defended
2.17 The Art, Morality, and Truth of Oratory
2.18 Rhetoric as a Practical Art
2.19 Nature and Art
2.20 Is Rhetoric a Virtue?
2.21 The Subject of Rhetoric. Oratory vs. Philosophy; An Orator’s Broad Knowledge.
Book Three
3.1 Greek and Roman Writers on Rhetoric
3.2 Origin of Oratory
3.3 Divisions and Order of the Art of Rhetoric
3.4 Views on the Number of Kinds of Oratory
3.5 Things vs. Words; Questions; Definitions of a Cause
3.6 Stasis Theory (The Status of a Case)
3.7 Panegyric
3.8 Deliberative Oratory
3.9 Forensic Oratory; Parts of a Forensic Speech
3.10 The Nature of the Cause
3.11 The Question, Mode of Defence, Point for Decision, Foundation of the Case, etc.
Book Four
4.1 Parts of a Speech: The Introduction (Exordium)
4.2 Parts of a Speech: The Statement of Facts (Narratio)
4.3 Digressions
4.4 Propositions Preparatory to Proof
4.5 Parts of a Speech: Partition (Partitio)
Book Five
5.1 Parts of a Speech: Artificial and Unartificial Proofs
5.2 Previous Decisions
5.3 Public Opinion
5.4 Evidence from Torture
5.5 Refutation of Documents
5.6 Taking Oaths: Pro and Con
5.7 Evidence: Documentary, Oral, Witnesses, Supernatural
5.8 Aritifical Proofs
5.9 Signs, Circumstantial Evidence, Prognostics
5.10 Arguments
5.11 Examples and Instances
5.12 Arguments, cont’d
5.13 Parts of a Speech: Refutation and Proof
5.14 Enthymeme, Epicheireme, and Syllogism
Book Six
6.1 Parts of a Speech: Conclusion (Peroration)
6.2 The Judge’s Temperament; Pathos, Ethos
6.3 Wit and Humor
6.4 Altercatio or Debate
6.5 Judgment and Sagacity
Book Seven
7.1 Arrangement
7.2 Conjecture
7.3 Definition
7.4 Quality
7.5 Points of Law
7.6 Letter of the Law / Intention
7.7 Contradictory Laws
7.8 Syllogism
7.9 Ambiguity
7.10 Status of a Case; Limits of Rules
Book Eight
8.1 Style
8.2 Clarity (perspicuitas)
8.3 Ornament: Merits and Faults
8.4 Amplification and Diminution
8.5 The Value of General Reflections in Oratory
8.6 Tropes
Book Nine
9.1 Figures of Thought and Speech
9.2 Figures of Thought (Detail)
9.3 Figures of Speech (Detail)
9.4 Apt Use of Structure, Rhythm, Metrical Feet
Book Ten
10.1 Reading Curriculum
10.2 Imitation
10.3 Writing
10.4 Correction
10.5 Composition Exercises: Translation, Paraphrase, Theses, Commonplaces, Declamations
10.6 Thought and Premeditation
10.7 Extemporaneous Speaking
Book Eleven
11.1 Respecting kairos When Speaking
11.2 Memory
11.3 Delivery, Gesture, Dress
Book Twelve
12.1 The Great Orator as Good Man
12.2 Strengthening Character; Philosophical Study
12.3 The Study of Civil Law
12.4 Orator Prepared with Examples and Precedents
12.5 Firmness; Presence of Mind; Cultivating Natural Advantages
12.6 The Orator’s Age
12.7 Causes to be Undertaken; Remuneration
12.8 Careful Study of the Case
12.9 Not Aiming for Applause; Restraining Invective; Preparation Through Writing and Extemporaneous Speaking
12.10 Styles of Oratory
12.11 Retirement from Speaking; Successful Training of an Orator