In the novel How to Win an Election, author Quintus Tullius Cicero relays his best advice for increasing one’s stature in the political area, gaining and maintaining voters, and winning an election against all odds. Although Cicero’s intended audience was his brother Marcus, modern politicians often employ his suggestions in their own campaigns and many reap the same benefits Marcus did in doing so. However, some of Cicero’s advice can make the reader wonder if it is impossible to run for office and maintain one’s mortals. From making empty promises to supporting smear campaigns, such advice is perhaps most disturbing because it hits so close to home. Although Cicero spends a great deal of time discussing how to gain the support and trust of voters, he is careful not to forget some advice on manipulating said voters, most especially through false commitments. Cicero is convinced that people prefer to hear “a gracious lie [as opposed to] an outright refusal” (Cicero 69). Therefore, he advises Marcus to make promises to everyone, as this is …show more content…
Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump has based the majority of his campaign on one of Cicero’s other nuggets of wisdom: the advantage of smear campaigns. As Cicero nears the end of his handbook, he is sure to leave some final reminders for his brother. He encourages Marcus to “remind [voters] what scoundrels [Marcus’s] opponents are and to smear these men at every opportunity” (Cicero 79). If Trump’s current standing is any indicator, then anyone can easily say that this strategy has its benefits. Originally thought of as a fringe candidate, Trump successfully clinched the nomination despite his controversial banter against his competitors. It is unnerving how drawn people, both ancient Romans and current citizens, are to such spectacles, as the extra attention offers an unethically hefty reward to the politician for defaming his/her
Cicero’s essay, titled On Duties, presents a practical approach concerning the moral obligations of a political man in the form of correspondence with his young son. Essential to the text, the incentive for Cicero to undertake On Duties emerges from his depleted hope to restore the Republic within his lifetime. Cicero therefore places such aspirations in the hands of his posterity. The foremost purpose of On Duties considers three obstacles, divided into separate Books, when deciding a course of action. Book I prefatorily states, “in the first place, men may be uncertain whether the thing that falls under consideration is an honorable or a dishonorable thing to do” (5). Cicero addresses the ambiguities present under this consideration and codifies a means through which one can reach a justifiable decision. Subsequently, he expounds the four essential virtues—wisdom, justice, magnanimity or greatness of spirit, and seemliness—all of which are necessary to conduct oneself honorably. As a result, the virtues intertwine to create an unassailable foundation upon which one can defend their actions. Cicero’s expatiation of the four virtues, though revolving around justice and political in context, illuminates the need for wisdom among the populace in order to discern a leader’s motivations. This subtly becomes apparent as Cicero, advising his son on how to dictate decision-making, issues caveats regarding the deceptions that occur under the guise of virtue.
If one understood that there could be personal benefits in being in politics, then one could succeed greatly, he was fond of the saying “I seen my opportunities and I took ‘en” (RIORDON, Chapter, 1).
The game of hardball is all about keeping up a good reputation to your peers and to the public. A successful politician can build up alliances. It is definitely impossible for someone to make their way to the top without any help. Instead of getting help, a person could make a mistake by “limit[ing] their horizons to missions they can accomplish alone” (15). These people ultimately lose the game. Matthews describes one way to forge an alliance in the maxim “It’s better to receive than give”. While confidence is a good thing, too much pride can end in disaster. A way to avoid looking too confident is asking for help. During the General Elections of 1978, Jimmy Carter asked for the help of those who had lost on election night. This is wise because they looked for work and wanted to be needed. Votes and alliances can be made simply because of a feeling of inclusion in the process. A politician asking for help is “offering a chance to join in the political action, to be part of his success”...
In contrast to the publicity spin of today’s tabloids, ‘losers attract notoriety,’ (Fear, 2008, p, 6) Roman society was no different with one’s reputation of paramount importance and continually defended. Antony and Cleopatra’s union was ammunition for Octavian and propaganda used against the couple in their pursuing battle of Actium. (Fear, 2008, p.7.)
...ee tasks are accomplished can vary to suit the orators purpose or the circumstances surrounding their speech. Cicero does just this and he does it with a purpose. He avoids heavy emotional appeals because they don’t suit the day and go against the relaxed almost careless tone he utilizes throughout the rest of his monologue. He emphasizes the use of persuasive arguments in order to detract from the claims of his opponent in the only way he can (since the case contains no material evidence) and Cicero flatters and entertains the jurors in the hopes that they will view his arguments more favorably. Everything he says and does in this speech of his drive toward his ultimate goal, an acquittal for his client, and from this speech one can see how Cicero not only achieves the three goals he sets forth, but how and why those three goals can and should be adapted at need.
By examining these two different views of Roman politics: Polybius’ The Histories of Polybius and Quintus Cicero’s Handbook on Canvassing for the Consulship as well as examining Plutarch’s Fall of the Roman Republic account on the collapse of the Republic in the lives of Sulla, Pompey, and Caesar it will be clear how friendship, specifically the private ambition of a few citizens and their rivalry for office, was the internal decaying factor that destroyed the Roman Republic. According to Polybius, the Roman Constitution was “the best of any existing in my time” (Polybius 467). He defines friendship as “whoever gives any sign of an inclination to you, or habitually visits your house” (Cicero 37).
Julius Caesar was unquestionable a cunning Politian as portrayed within historical documents, even though the events were documented after the accounts of his rule materialized there are still numerous theories about his political ability’s and how he was viewed by the people he governed. This paper is intended to present the reader clear vision on how Julius Caesar was viewed during his dictatorship of Rome. Was Julius Caesar a selfish dictator or model politician? There will be five diverse source accounts of the events which will be examined for similarities and differences based on the historical evidences.
In, “The Lie Factory” by Jill Lepore, she examines what attracts a voter to a candidate. “You can put on a fight (‘he likes a good hot battle, with no punches pulled’), or you can put on a show (‘he likes the movies; he likes mysteries; he likes fireworks and parades’): ‘So if you can’t fight, PUT ON A SHOW! And if you put on a good show, Mr. and Mrs. America will turn out to see it.” (Whitaker qtd. in Lepore) In the case of Trump, he combines both fighting and showmanship to create a dangerously alluring combination. The more ostentatious he can be, the more support he earns. Every hateful remark, every verbal jab is given media coverage, until Trump is spoken and known by everyone, becoming an almost mythical figure. He repeats the same mantra, everyone is bad, and I am the victim. I am rich so I will make you rich. I will make America great again. Every day, there is a new more vicious and personal attack, yet he has desensitized us to the point in which we no longer abhor such comments, but instead laugh, and find comedy and entertainment.To some, even acceptance and
One of the first occasions presented was the plotting of Caesar’s assassination. Cassius, Casca, Trebonius, Ligarius and the other conspirators all wanted to rid Rome of Caesar. However, not one of them could give the green light.” They needed one who held a high place in the hearts of the people, to support them and to justify their actions. They needed an “honorable” man.
The central theme of Act III, Scene ii of “Julius Caesar” by William Shakespeare is the power of rhetoric because it shows the effect of two funeral orators’ on the crowd. In this scene, Antony and Brutus have similar purpose in talking to the public, which is to gain the support of the Plebeians according to their conflicting views about Caesar’s assassination. This essay focuses on comparing the orations of the two speakers in this part of the play according to Aristotle’s rhetoric system. According to Aristotle’s writings, Antony’s speech is more persuasive than Brutus’ speech, because he is able to provide logical, emotional and ethical appeals to his audience. Firstly, in comparison to Brutus’ logic, Antony provides more evidence to prove that Caesar was not ambitious. Secondly, Antony’s emotional acts and speech moved his audience more than Brutus. Finally, Antony acts more noble than Brutus does.
Cicero, was truly a man of the state. His writings also show us he was equally a man of
Lucius Cornelius Sulla Felix, born 138 B.C. to a minor branch of the Cornelian gens, has been heralded as a fortuitous and cunning man, a formidable commander, and yet an unfit politician with perplexing motives. Sulla’s early campaigning allowed him to rise to great military distinction, and earned him the later invaluable respect of his fellow soldiers. Nevertheless, his career illustrated the demoralisation of the Republic and contributed to its ultimate degeneration. The reformative measures he took in his last years of power - which were intended to preserve the Republican institution, were homicidal and ephemeral; they were altogether ineffectual compared to the example of Sulla’s own career. Sulla chose for his own epitaph, ‘no one ever did more good to his friends, nor more harm to his enemies’ (Southern Utah University, p.6).
Brutus and Antony’s use of Ethos, Logos, and Pathos throughout the novel are just examples of the everyday persuasion used around us daily, when reading the play it does look like one giant competition to see who is the most persuasive and influential character. Even in today’s economy companies have to compete for the attention of consumers’ worldwide and politicians who argue their beliefs and views to millions of voters in order to get what they want, because the art of persuasion is just one big game.
“Whatever distinction a Roman Equestrian can possess—and it can undoubtedly be very great—has always been judged as belonging to Marcus Caelius in the fullest measure, and is still so judged today” (Pro Caelio 3, pg 130). This quote is taken from the early parts of the defense speech and is used by Cicero to build a foundation surrounding the character of Cicero. Cicero states himself that “he must sway the hearts of the audience” that is exactly what he is doing with this statement about the character of Caelius. He is first refuting the assertion made by the prosecution that Caelius is a vagabond of types who does not obtain the traits of a Proper Roman because of his Equestrian ancestry. Cicero utterly deny’s that and instead demonstrates that Caelius is a man above reproach who comes from an esteemed line of Roman Equestrians and that the Equestrian class is not a class to be looked down on. “Being the son of a Roman Equestrian is something that the prosecution should never have used as a slur before these jurors, or before myself as an advocate.” (Pro Caelio 4, pg 130). There is quite a bit of irony in this statement, Cicero is to an affect reprimanding the prosecution for utilizing slander in order to tear down Caelius. This is something that Cicero himself will do later in his speech when he attacks the
For most people, telling the truth is a highly revered trait that is taught at a young age. Parents are constantly telling their children to never lie and to always be honest. And yet, humans tend to resort to twisting the truth in order to get what they want. Whether it is a politician hiding the truth for votes or a young child crying crocodile tears to get their sibling in trouble, humans seem to require manipulation to receive what they truly desire. In William Shakespeare’s tragedy, Julius Caesar, this idea of falsifying information for one’s own gain is apparent. Characters such as Cassius, Antony, and Decius Brutus all demonstrate that manipulation is a requirement in order to achieve an overall goal.