Платон во французских риториках XVII в.: образец для подражания и вдохновитель обновления

Платоновские исследования. 2020. Т. 13. № 2. С. 209–230.

Золотухина А. И.

The paper examines the place of Plato in XVII century rhetoric in France. This is the epoque of eloquence, marked by many important rhetorical treatises and manuals. However the specific interest to rhetoric does not exclude Plato from it. The attitude of the rhetoricians towards Plato is shown on the basis of the most influential rhetorical texts of the time (such as manuals from classical Jesuit rhetoric by N. Caussin of 1619 to R. Bary's Rhétorique françoise, written for the précieuses, as well as smaller writings). The list of the editions and translations of Plato in use in the XVII century is also given. The recommendations of the authors on how to imitate Plato are examined according the classical system of rhetoric, including such parts of it as inventio, elocutio, actio. The main, but not the only one, platonic admirable feature in XVII century is his maiestas cum suavitate, the ability to treat the most elevated subjects with grace. In the second half of the century Plato becomes an inspiration for the renewal of the rhetoric of the dialogue, conversation, a popular genre among nobility. In this context the attention is drawn to a small treatise written by Fr. de la Mothe le Vayer at the request of the chancellor Seguier, where de la Mothe explains the lack of esteem and understanding of platonic dialogues by his contemporaries and urges to reread these examples of true union of philosophy and rhetoric in the new light.

Keywords: Платон, риторика, XVII век, возвышенный стиль

Publication based on the results of: Contemporary Historical Culture: Popular Practices and Critical Debates (2020)