Delsarte System of Oratory eBook

This eBook from the Gutenberg Project consists of approximately 452 pages of information about Delsarte System of Oratory.

Delsarte System of Oratory eBook

This eBook from the Gutenberg Project consists of approximately 452 pages of information about Delsarte System of Oratory.

The concentric eyebrow indicates a mind disconcerted by fatigue or ennui, a contention of one part of the nature with the other, which resists, and says:  “I do not wish to be troubled about this; it wearies me.”

The normal brow and the eccentric eye indicate stupor.

Here there is again contrariety.  One part of the being ardently aspires toward some object, while the other is powerless to aid it.

The eye is purely an intellectual agent, denoting the various states of the mind.

The eccentric eye and the elevated eyebrow denote vehemence.  This is an active state that will become astonishment.  Many phenomena will arise and be subordinate to this movement; but it is vehemence par excellence; it is aspiration.

If the brow lowers vehemently with the eyes open, it is not rage, but a state of mind independent of everything the senses or the heart can say.

This is firmness of mind, a state of the will independent of every outside influence.  It may be attention, or anger, or many other things.

If the eye is concentric and the eyebrow in the normal state, it is slumber, fatigue.

If the eyebrow is eccentric and the eye concentric, it will represent not indifference only, but scorn, and after saying, “This thing is worthless,” will add, “I protest against it, I close my eyes.”

If both the eye and eyebrow are concentric, there is contention of mind.  This is a mind which seeks but does not possess.

This explanation may be rendered more clear and easier to retain in mind by the following resume: 

E  Concentric.    Contention of mind. 
Concentric eyebrow  Y  Normal.        Bad humor. 
E  Eccentric.     Firmness
E  Concentric.    Grief. 
Normal eyebrow.      Y  Normal.        Passiveness. 
E  Eccentric.     Stupor.
E  Concentric.    Scorn. 
Eccentric eyebrow.   Y  Normal.        Disdain. 
E  Eccentric.     Astonishment.

[Illustration:  Criterion of the Eyes.]

The nine expressions of the eye correspond to each of the nine movements of the head.  Thus the eye may give nine types of affection, nine of pride, nine of sensualism, etc.  This gives eighty-one expressions of the eye.  Hence, knowing eighteen elements, we inevitably possess eighty-one.

The nine expressions of the eye may be verified by the criterion.

As a model, we give the nine expressions of the eye in the subjoined chart.

GENUS.  SPECIES.

1 3 2
Eye eccentric.  Eye normal.  Eye concentric.

Eyebrow Firmness.  Bad humor.  Contention of
conc. mind. 
II

Eyebrow Stupor.  Passive state.  Grief. 
III

Eyebrow Inspiration.  Disdain.  Scorn. 
I

For ordinary purposes it is sufficient to understand the nine primary expressions.  There are many others which we merely indicate.  In sleep there may be an inclination either way.  The top of the eyebrow may be lifted.

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Delsarte System of Oratory from Project Gutenberg. Public domain.