Institutio Oratoria
Quintilian
Quintilian. Institutio Oratoria, Volume 1-4. Butler, Harold Edgeworth, translator. Cambridge, Mass; London: Harvard University Press, William Heinemann Ltd., 1920-1922.
A gentle delivery is most often best suited to the exordium. For there is nothing better calculated than modesty to win the good-will of the judge, although there are exceptions to the rule, since, as I have already pointed out, [*](IV. i. 40.) all exordia are not delivered in the same manner. But, generally speaking, a quiet voice, a modest gesture, a toga sitting well upon the shoulder, and a gentle motion of the sides to right and left, accompanied by a corresponding movement of the eyes, will all be found to produce a becoming effect.
In the statement of facts the hand should on most occasions be further extended, the toga allowed to slip back, the gestures sharply distinguished and the voice colloquial, but slightly more emphatic, while there should also be uniformity of tone. Such, at any rate, should be the delivery of a passage such as the following: [*]( pro Lig. i. 2. )
For Quintus Ligarius, since there was no hint of the likelihood of the war in Africa,or [*](pro Cluenet. v. 11. )
Aulus Cluentius Habitus, this man's father.But different methods may be called for in this same portion of the speech, in passionate utterances such as,
The mother-in-law weds her son-in-law,[*](pro Cluent. v. 14. ) or in pathetic passages such
There in the market-place of Laodicea was displayed a grievous and afflicting spectacle for all the province of Asia to behold.
[*](Verr. xxx. 76 ) The proofs, however, require the utmost variety of delivery. For to state them and distinguish between their various points, and to examine witnesses, we employ something not far removed from a colloquial tone, as is also the case in anticipating objections, which is really another form of statement. But in all these cases we sometimes deride, and sometimes mimic our opponents.
Argument, being as a rule of a livelier, more energetic and aggressive character, demands a type of gesture adapted to its style, that is to say, it should be bold and rapid. There are certain portions of our arguments that require to be pressed home with energy, and in these our style must be compact and concentrated. Digressions, as a rule, are characterised by gentleness, calm and placidity, as, for example, in Cicero's description of the Rape of Proserpine, [*](cp. IV. iii. 13. ) his picture of Sicily, [*](cp. IV. iii. 13. ) or his panegyric of Pompey. [*]( In the lost pro Cornelio: cp. IV. iii. 13. ) For naturally passages which deal with subjects lying outside the main question in dispute demand a less combative tone.