9. Study questions Copy

1. How does Cicero emphasise Lucceius’ reliability as a witness?

By pointing out the sanctity of his oath.

2. Quid exspectatis amplius? What effect does this rhetorical question have?

It stresses the importance of the evidence that they have just heard. Nothing more needs to be added.

3. Haec est innocentiae defensio, haec ipsius causae oratio, haec una vox veritatis. What effect does this tricolon have?

This is a tricolon reinforced by anaphora. As well as emphasis, the tricolon personifies Lucceius statements, and imagines them as independent entities speaking for themselves.

4. In crimine ipso nulla suspicio est, in re nihil est argumenti, in negotio, quod actum esse dicitur, nullum vestigium sermonis, loci, temporis; nemo testis, nemo conscius nominatur, totum crimen profertur ex inimica, ex infami, ex crudeli, ex facinerosa, ex libidinosa domo; There is a lot of repeated words here: explain how this repetition is used by Cicero.

Look for the repetition of negatives ‘nulla..nihil..nullum..nemo’: all refutations of the charges. Also look for the anaphora of ‘ex’, followed by negative adjectives. All these are linked to Clodia, thus blackening her character.

9. Study questions Copy

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