Classical rhetoric in Anglo-Saxon England
Gabriele Knappe
This passage from The Wanderer demonstrates some of the rhetorical techniques which have been noted in Old English texts. Its most striking features are questions and figure anaphora is produced by repetition ‘Hwær’. Another element use theme (topos) ubi sunt (‘where are…?’) to lament loss past joys. In classical antiquity, such as these, served create effective discourse, were products ars rhetorica . art was distinguished more basic subject grammatica that rhetoric, ‘ars … bene dicendi’ (Quintilian, Institutio oratoria II.xvii.37), aimed at good production text (for oral delivery) with aim persuading listeners take or adopt form action belief, whereas grammar, ‘recte loquendi scientia’, responsible for correct speech also interpretation poetical texts (‘poetarum enarratio’: Quintilian, I.iv.2). terms above could be analysed according three phases a (partes artis) pertain both written discourse: inventio (finding topics ), dispositio (arranging parts text) elocutio (embellishing stylistically, example other figures tropes). How under what circumstances did Anglo-Saxons acquire their knowledge how compose effectively?
Anglo-Saxon England