ABSTRACT
The above statement by Martin on the value and importance of an all-inclusive approach to performance, despite referring to the Homeric epics and not to Attic oratory, provides a pertinent summary to this book: the first fully fledged exploration of performance in selected speeches of Attic forensic oratory from a holistic perspective. Using the comparative opportunities provided by the fierce rivalry between Aeschines and Demosthenes in selected speeches, this work has taken a fresh look at the notion of performance, systematising the exploration of direct/sensory and cognitive/emotional techniques and purposes and their potential impact upon the audience, through the lens of current Performance Studies insights and linguistic, pragmatic and cognitive-theoretical perspectives.
