However, first he glances back at the concerns over rhetoric during the classical period. In greek and Roman times though the Sophists taught Rhetoric, still many held opinions about its power and danger. Rhetoric is an approach to language us as an action. Rhetoric deals with the function not the structure of speech.
Rhetoric is pragmatic, therefore immoral.
B. Topical solutions are an example of how Rhetoric seeks in any way it can an answer or solution to the problem of persuasion. C. Rhetoric in classical times is Speech, which above all must be functional. Speech is eloquent if it serves a purpose 3. A democratic state is the societal condition which invites eloquence, therefore purposeful speech. This is a transition that occurs during the Romantic era.