Rhetoric

​And let so much be said about prejudice. On the other hand, narrative in epideictic speeches is not continuous but in parts; for one must go through the actions on which the speech is based. For the speech is constructed having, on the one hand, a part free from art (since the speaker is in no way the cause of the actions), and on the other hand, a part from art; and this is either to show that the fact is, if it is untrustworthy, or of what quality, or of what magnitude, or indeed all of these.

​And for this reason one must not sometimes narrate everything continuously, because to prove in this way is difficult to remember: “from these things he is courageous, and from those wise or just.” And this speech is simpler, while that one is complex and not plain.

​But one must remind of well-known actions; therefore, most people have no need of narrative, as, for instance, if you wish to praise Achilles (for all know his actions), but one must make use of them. But if one praises Critias, a narrative is needed; for not many know him. But now they say ridiculously that the narrative must be rapid. And yet, just as when the baker asked whether he should knead the dough hard or soft, someone said, “What? Is it impossible to knead it well?”, so it is here likewise; for one must not narrate at great length, just as one must not make a long introduction, nor state the proofs at great length. For neither here is “well” to be fast or brief, but to be moderate; and this is to say as much as will make the matter clear, or as much as will make people believe that it has happened, or has caused harm, or has been unjust, or is as great as you wish, and for the opponent, the opposite.

​And one should narrate incidentally whatever tends to one’s own virtue (as, “And I admonished them, always saying what was just, not to abandon their children”), or the other’s wickedness (as, “But he answered me that wherever he himself might be, there would be other children,” which Herodotus says the revolting Egyptians answered); or whatever is pleasing to the judges.

​But for the defender the narrative is shorter; for the points in dispute are either that it did not happen, or that it is not harmful, or not unjust, or not so great, so that one must not waste time on what is agreed, unless it contributes to those points, as, for instance, if the deed was done but was not unjust.

​Further, one must speak of past actions which, if not actually being performed, bring either pity or indignation; an example is the story of Alcinous, which is made to Penelope in sixty verses, and how Phayllus summarized the Epic Cycle, and the prologue in the Oeneus.