Ah, Mark Antony. The suave, manipulative Roman politician, most well known for his outburst in Julius Caesar, where he somehow managed to turn the opinion of an entire crowd to Caesar’s favor.
How exactly did this crowd, throbbing with zeal for the conspirators, suddenly turn to cheering for Caesar? The answer lies in Mark Antony’s skills of oration, in his “art of eloquence.”
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Good recitation has been valued since ancient times. The poets and politicians of Athens frequently engaged in recitations of poetry or speeches. Cicero wrote an entire dialogue on oration, and Plutarch tells us that the statesman Demosthenes went to such lengths as speaking with pebbles in his mouth and running up steps while speaking to improve his recitations.
“The indistinctness and lisping in his speech he used to correct and drive away by taking pebbles in his mouth and then reciting speeches. His voice he used to exercise by discoursing while running or going up steep places, and by reciting speeches or verses at a single breath. Moreover, he had in his house a large looking-glass, and in front of this he used to stand and go through his exercises in declamation.”
– Plutarch, Life of Demosthenes
Perhaps recitation calls to mind something learned by rote and delivered in a monotone manner. Yet Plutarch writes that Demosthenes thought the tone and motions of the speaker as important as the speech, as the following incident shows:
“A story is told of a man coming to him and begging his services as advocate, and telling at great length how he had been assaulted and beaten by some one. ‘But certainly,’ said Demosthenes, ‘you got none of the hurts which you describe.’’ Then the man raised his voice and shouted: ‘I, Demosthenes, no hurts?’ ‘Now, indeed,’ said Demosthenes, ‘I hear the voice of one who is wronged and hurt.’ So important in winning credence did he consider the tone and action of the speaker. “
– Plutarch, Life of Demosthenes
The word “recitation” winds its roots back to Roman times as well. It is composed of two Latin words, re, again, and citare, to summon. Thus, Recitation is a “summoning again” of words from one’s memory.
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Recitation is less of a fixture in our everyday lives, but being an eloquent speaker is still important. Events such as debates, conferences, and performances all require recitation skills. Many classical schools still require recitations of poetry or prose to help students overcome fear of public speaking and understand the piece better. Charlotte Mason also encouraged recitation, believing it helped children to express themselves efficiently.
“I hope that my readers will train their children in the art of recitation; in the coming days, more even than in our own will it behoove every educated man and woman to be able to speak effectively in public; and, in learning to recite you learn to speak.– Charlotte Mason, Home Education
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Recitation is an easy subject to include, even if you have never done it before.
Poetry lends itself best to the beginner, because you can clearly hear the rhythm in the words. Simple, short poems such as “The Eagle” by Alfred, Lord Tennyson, or “The Cow” by Robert Louis Stevenson, are good to start with.
Once you have become familar with memorizing short poems, you can go on to longer ones or short pieces of prose. Rudyard Kipling has several inspiring poems suitable for children to recite, and monologues from Shakespeare are also good for reciting. (I have created free Shakespeare recitation printables you can download here!) Ambleside Online also has recitation suggestions in their booklists.
A good recitation should evoke emotion in the listener; and a good speaker should enunciate and speak slowly and clearly. All too often, one speeds up in the excitement of the moment, and words get swallowed and lost.
Prepare for recitation by reading the poem and gaining an understanding of it. Then, one can start memorizing verse by verse, covering up the line, saying it from memory, and checking. Once it is memorized, practice saying it with emotion and correct intonation. Practicing in front of a mirror or recording and listening back is helpful. Once you have practiced enough to feel confident and sure of your words, you are ready to perform, whether that be for a crowd or your cat.
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This practice of recitation helps form one into an eloquent, well-spoken person, able to discuss ideas coherently and inspire others. Thus, passed down from the ancient orators, recitation continues to smooth conversations, augment poetry and prose, and inspire audiences.
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Sources:
Plutarch, Life of Demosthenes, Chapter 11
Cicero, De Oratore