The colores rhetorici of Some of Stanisław Orzechowski’s Speeches

Abstract

The article deals with three of Orzechowski’s speeches, viz. his two orations against the Turks, De bello adversus Turcas suscipiendo [...] ad equites Polonos oratio and Ad Sigismundum Poloniae Regem Turcica secunda, and the funeral oration he wrote on the death of Sigismund I, Funebris oratio habita a Stanislao Orichovio Rutheno ad equites Polonos in funere Sigismundi Iagellonis Regis. The present stylistic analysis, based chiefly on the criteria of ancient rhetoric, indicates that all three are excellently constructed orations. The author’s keen rhetorical sense manifests itself in his choice of style and arguments, logically consistent arrangement of the texts and regard for the use of synonyms, beautiful and ornate vocabulary, rhythm, cohesion and smoothness of the rhetorical period.