forma eloquentiaeとgenera dicendi : 0ratorに於けるキケロの文体理想

抄録

In reply to Atticist M. Brutus, who regarded Lysias' Plain Style as best to imitate, Cicero is arguing in Orator that the best style(genus optimum)is(1)an ideal never realized, not any historical model(Or. 7: 100-1), and(2)to be defined as the complete mastery of all three styles, not restricted to a single style(ibid. 20 : 100-1). How does he justify this argument? The author examines this problem from three points; 1. the traditional theories Cicero uses as materials for his purposes, 2. his terminology, 3. the basis of his argument. 1. Cicero refers to some of the Greek idealistic theories (including Plato's theory of Ideas)in order to separate the discussion on the best style from historical facts. Thus he introduces a concept of the ideal form of eloquence ideal in the sense of absolute perfection , and he identifies it with the best style at issue. The concept of ideal style thus formed is defined as the proper use of all three styles. Hence this definition depends on the threefold division of styles. This is, in its original form, a relativistic theory, in which every work of art is classified into a certain number of types, each of which is equally praiseworthy in its own way. So this theory has a nature utterly different from that of the above-mentioned idealistic theories. 2. The term for such varied types is 'genus'. In De oratore Cicero, using this term, formulated a relativistic view with regard to style(De or. III, 34). But, when he comes to write Orator, his attitude turns to an absolutistic position, according to which there exists the single ideal of eloquence beyond the plurality of 'genera dicendi' (Or. 36). To designate this ideal, he often uses the term 'forma' or 'species'(e.g. ibid. 42: 101). 3. He often says that his aim is to seek after this 'forma eloquentiae'. What gives the ultimate justification for this statement? The key thereto is the last sentence of Or. 10. Quicquid est igitur de quo ratione et via disputetur, id est ad ultimam sui generis formam speciemque redigendum. Here it is demanded to reduce a thing to its ideal form for the purpose of investigation, on the ground that it is the requirement of the true method of inquiry. This sentence, however, interpreted in terms of the explanation of Or. 16 and 116, proves to express what definition must perform as one of the operations of the dialectical method. Therefore it is the principle of dialectic that is put to the basis of the axiom that the essence of eloquence should be revealed. This conclusion is also supported by the fact that the terms Cicero applies to the ideal form of eloquence are 'forma' and 'species', which are also employed to designatethe essence of the thing to be defined. Such being the case, we can see here one of the aspects of the cooperation which Cicero establishes between philosophy and rhetoric.