In addition to noting several motifs in the Life of Cato, we also touched on several passages in which Plutarch suggestively characterizes Cato's manner of speech and powers of expression – a style that relates to the three levels of oratory (low, middle, grand/epic) as outlined by Cicero in his De Oratore
"The man of eloquence whom we seek, following the suggestion of Antonius, will be one who is able to speak in court or in deliberative bodies so as to prove, to please, and to sway or persuade. To prove is the first necessity, to please is charm, to sway is victory; for it is the one thing of all that avails most in winning verdicts. For these three functions of the orator there are three styles: the plain style for proof, the middle style for pleasure, the vigorous style for persuasion; and in this last is summed up the entire virtue of the orator.”
Associated with the plain style are short, staccato rhythms; pedestrian, common words; literal, as opposed to florid or figural speech; a certain social awkwardness in nomenclature (calling a spade a spade) and in timing (pointing out the very thing everyone is trying to avoid saying), etc.
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