Thread: Is Classical English Rhetoric Dead?

Is Classical English Rhetoric Dead?

If rhetoric can be defined broadly as the use of language to persuade or otherwise affect an audience, then to my mind it has declined considerably in the last century. As many of you may be aware, there are various techniques to depart from a simple and literal statement; to spice it up and make the words more emphatic or memorable i.e. repetition and variety, suspense and relief, concealment and surprise, the creation of expectations and then then the satisfaction or frustration of them. Anyone who has struggled to make a speech at a wedding, funeral or other function will be familiar with this.

But it seems that today's newscasters and public figures, (especially politicians, and especially those like Obama reading from a teleprompter), who when using rhetorical figures, often sound tinny - like cliches, or strained efforts to make dull claims sound snappy. This is partly because today's politician and others of their ilk tend to be creatures of very modest literacy and wit who spoil what they touch.

Add in contrived body language, showing the right amount of sleeve cuff, obligatory body armour when reporting from Helmand Province or downtown Chicago and phrases like "Now, let's be absolutely clear about this," and the entire show is bloody depressing. Even the Lord Mayor of London, Boris Johnson seems to be losing the refreshing spontaneity he once had!

Leaving that to one side, let me give older, more positive examples of rhetoric from both sides of the Atlantic:

"But be the ordeal sharp or long, or both, we shall seek no terms, we shall tolerate no parley; we may show mercy - we shall ask for none."
Churchill, London radio broadcast (1940)

"He's too delightful. If he'll only not spoil it! But they always will; they always do; they always have."
James. "The Ambassadors." (1903)

There was a time when giants walked the Earth.

Originally Posted by MANICHAEAN

If rhetoric can be defined broadly as the use of language to persuade or otherwise affect an audience, then to my mind it has declined considerably in the last century

I don't know about the last century or really about a decline . . . I would suggest it has changed, evolved perhaps.

Not necessarily to my liking, but each generation alters its life in many ways

In years past, there were some fantastic public speakers. MacArthur's speech at West Point when he retired was simply incredible. I'm not a great MacArthur fan, but the speech brought chills up your spine. Now, it's sound bites and tweets by Bambi with the big hair, who couldn't find Asia on a map. All part of instant communication and the dumbing down of life.

Originally Posted by MANICHAEAN

Is Classical English Rhetoric Dead?

This is a rhetorical question, right?

Originally Posted by quimbian corholla

This is a rhetorical question, right?

Not if people keep replying to it.

Originally Posted by chassamui

Originally Posted by quimbian corholla

This is a rhetorical question, right?

Not if people keep replying to it.

I think QC meant that rhetorically