Juvenal and Rhetoric
Can we suppose that Juvenal is using a rhetorical theme to write serious political comment in the satire on the vanity of human wishes? The way I've interpreted this question is that Juvenal was using Roman rhetorical language and themes that were currently popular, in his works. And that this was strategic in winning over the cases he was making in his satire, just as an orator did in his public speeches. And so I intend to show that Juvenal was writing serious political comment using this rhetorical theme. Firstly, I intend to discuss briefly the nature of Roman rhetorical theme, taking as examples both Quintilian (first century AD) and Cicero (first century BC). Then attempt to apply these themes to Juvenal Satire 10, working along the basic structure of the satire, but focusing mainly on the overtly political elements such as specifically the lust for military glory, but also the less obvious examples within themes that would appear non-political. Then reach a conclusion about the seriousness of the satire in this context. Both Cicero and Quintilian have defined the structure in which Roman rhetoric was set out. A rhetorical passage always starts with a prooimion (
Next Juvenal turns his hand to military glory, which is linked intricately with power. But the supposedly moral section on the futility of wishing for beautiful children has many political elements to it. until I have smashed the gates with my Punic troops, and raised our flag in the central Subura' . And also the wealthy man who walks in fear at night even jumping at the shadows, he too is contrasted to the poor traveller who 'sings in the robber's face' . In Satire 1 Juvenal had shown his reluctance to denigrate the current regime ('I'll try what I may against those whose ashes are buried' ) and so his attack on the political system comes from examples taken from past regimes, which is acceptable, especially after the decline of the Julio-Claudians. But he contrasts this to the scene he has just depicted of Sejanus' death and concludes that what Sejanus had done by wishing for such futile needs was to build 'a tower of numerous storeys; which meant that his fall would be all the greater' . Here Juvenal is linking political situations with the moral intent of the individual. Secondary to the main depiction of Hannibal as the epitome of military glory leading to a heavy fall from grace, are two other military commanders who failed because of their lusts. Juvenal depicts him at the peak of his power, and even exaggerates that his army could drink the streams dry. Juvenal also takes the opportunity to criticise the role of the emperor . So his scope is somewhat limited, but nevertheless his writings constitute a warning on the excesses of the tyrant or eccentric for both his and future generations . Juvenal again contrasts this scene with its opposite- the person who does not have such a gift: 'the rostrum was never stained with a petty advocate's blood' .
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Acceptance Essays
