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- Title
Aristotle's Platonic Attitude Toward Delivery.
- Authors
Fortenbaugh, William W.
- Abstract
This article explores the negative attitude of Aristotle toward delivery. In his introduction to Book 3 of the Rhetoric, Aristotle touches briefly on delivery. He recognizes its power, says that the subject belongs as much to rhetoric as to poetics and makes special mention of voice. Good delivery, he explains, is a matter of using one's voice correctly in regard to different emotions: using a loud, soft, or in-between voice, a high, low, or intermediate pitch, and various rhythms. Up to this point Aristotle's remarks appear quite positive, but what follows is rather different. Aristotle returns to the power of delivery and tells readers that speakers skilled in delivery win the day because of defects in political arrangements. This is the first indication of a negative assessment, and it is quickly reinforced. We are told that the subject of delivery appears to be vulgar and that such a view is well taken. Delivery should be regarded as something necessary rather than correct. The right thing to do is to argue one's case on the basis of facts and issues, for, aside from demonstrative argument, everything else is superfluous and of importance only because of defects in one's audience.
- Subjects
VOCAL delivery; ARISTOTLE, 384-322 B.C.; NORMAL voice; POETICS; RHETORIC
- Publication
Philosophy & Rhetoric, 1986, Vol 19, Issue 4, p242
- ISSN
0031-8213
- Publication type
Article