Actio

Actio (Latin: action, deed, execution, Greek: hypókrisis ) referred to in the understanding of ancient rhetoric theories, the fifth and final stage of production of a speech, and thus the actual oratorical action. During the ancient times, the concept of actio was used with the same meaning pronuntiatio. Now with actio primarily the area of ​​the physical lecture, facial expressions (Latin: vultus ) and gestures (Latin gesture ), with pronuntiatio however, the area of ​​the vocal presentation meant.

Range of physical presentation

Above all, the physical expression provides for the speaker (Latin orator ) numerous ways his rhetorical goal (Latin: telos ) to reach. The ancient rhetoricians assumed that expresses every emotion in the body. Likewise, this also reflects the spirit of the speaker, and therefore show the speaker's ethos. Especially the eyes can reverse the soul outward Cicero 's view. Furthermore, they considered it the affective arousal of the public require, those feelings you want to evoke in his audience to show itself. Affect and expression must therefore mutually correspond. The non-verbal communication to support what has been said. Johann Christoph Gottsched concretized here is that particularly the rhetorical figures contained in the speech to be given by the movements of the body forcefully. Through the use of the body of the speaker can as well as by the use of linguistic means arouse emotions and so obtain the conviction of the audience.

Range of vocal presentation

According to Martin Heidegger to the voice comes in the oratorical speech insofar crucial importance to by, talked to the manner in << [... ] given on the merits information [ is ]. >> If the voice come it to the opinion of the anonymous author of Rhetorica ad Herennium mainly on its << scope, strength and suppleness. >> For Aristotle, however, << volume, tone and rhythm >> were in the foreground.

Importance of actio for the oratorical success

How important is the actio was for the ancient rhetoricians, Quintilian shows a quote on the Greek orator Demosthenes. This was

Awarded. The fact that the actio to be very important for proving the achievement of the rhetorical goal, the classical rhetorical theorists were quick. On uniform recommendations regarding the use of body and voice but they could not agree. While about Plato and the author of the Herennius - Rhetoik argued for a moderate manner of performance, held Quintilian and the supporters of the Second Sophistic a pathetic, expressive speech for the right. They also welcomed additional aids such flashy clothes and hairstyles and also did not hesitate before large outbursts of emotion, so far served them to the conviction of the audience. In this controversy are clear parallels to Atticism - Asianism - debate show. In order to improve its own actio it begged to be able to study with actors, and to observe other successful speakers during their presentations and then imitating them. Especially important, it seemed, the requirement of reasonableness (Latin: aptum, decorum ) observed. However, what was in a concrete speech situation deemed appropriate, could vary greatly from speaker to speaker. But every Orator had the opportunity to make his actio accordance with the specific

• Negotionalen
• Local
• Instrumental
• Final
• Modal and
• Temporal

Match conditions for appropriateness.