Fierce Anger

   Burned Marmion’s swarthy cheek like fire,
   And shook his very frame for ire;
     And—­“This to me!” he said,—­
   “An ’t were not for thy hoary beard,
   Such hand as Marmion’s had not spared
     To cleave the Douglas’ head!

Loud and Explosive

     “Even in thy pitch of pride,
   Here, in thy hold, thy vassals near,
     I tell thee, thou ’rt defied! 
   And if thou said’st I am not peer
   To any lord in Scotland here,
   Lowland or Highland, far or near,
     Lord Angus, thou hast lied!”

VI.  GESTURE. (55)

Gesture is that part of the speaker’s manner which pertains to his attitude, to the use and carriage of his person, and the movement of his limbs in delivery.

Every person, in beginning to speak, feels the natural embarrassment resulting from his new position.  The novelty of the situation destroys his self-possession, and, with the loss of that, he becomes awkward, his arms and hands hang clumsily, and now, for the first time, seem to him worse than superfluous members.  This embarrassment will be overcome gradually, as the speaker becomes familiar with his position; and it is sometimes overcome at once, by a powerful exercise of the attention upon the matter of the speech.  When that fills and possesses the mind, the orator is likely to take the attitude which is becoming, and, at least, easy and natural, if not graceful.

1st.  The first general direction that should be given to the speaker is, that he should stand erect and firm, and in that posture which gives an expanded chest and full play to the organs of respiration and utterance.

2d.  Let the attitude be such that it can be shifted easily and gracefully.  The student will find, by trial, that no attitude is so favorable to this end as that in which the weight of the body is thrown upon one leg, leaving the other free to be advanced or thrown back, as fatigue or the proper action of delivery may require.

The student who has any regard to grace or elegance, will of course avoid all the gross faults which are so common among public speakers, such as resting one foot upon a stool or bench, or throwing the body forward upon the support of the rostrum.

3d.  Next to attitude, come the movements of the person and limbs.  In these, two objects are to be observed, and, if possible, combined, viz., propriety and grace.  There is expression in the extended arm, the clinched hand, the open palm, and the smiting of the breast.  But let no gesture be made that is not in harmony with the thought or sentiment uttered; for it is this harmony which constitutes propriety.  As far as possible, let there be a correspondence between the style of action and the train of thought.  Where the thought flows on calmly, let there be grace and ease in gesture and action.  Where the style is sharp and abrupt, there is propriety in quick, short, and abrupt gesticulation.  Especially avoid that ungraceful sawing of the air with the arms, into which all ill-regulated fervor betrays many young speakers.