Book II, Chapters 1-11 Summary and Analysis

Chapter 1: The orator's chief goal is not to give a sound argument on behalf of his position, but to convince his audience to make whatever decision he is proposing. Making a sound argument, then, is subordinate to this goal, but it is not the only means by which this goal can be achieved. The speaker must also present himself in such a way that inspires the trust of his audience, for if they believe him to be stupid or wicked, they will not tend to believe what he says. He must also manipulate the emotions of his audience to put them into a frame of mind conducive to making the decision that he desires.

Chapter 2: Anger is an emotion that is felt whenever one feels one has been wronged and desires revenge. Since one only...