Final answer:
Paul Rusesabagina, through Cicero's writings, highlights social and moral vices as accusations against Marcus Caelius Rufus to discredit the accuser and raise doubts about the nature of her involvement with Caelius, contrasting her behavior with her prominent familial legacy.
Step-by-step explanation:
Paul Rusesabagina’s purpose in the given lines of text appears to be a portrayal of social and personal vices that were being directed as accusations towards the individual being defended, Marcus Caelius Rufus. Rusesabagina, through the writing of Cicero, illustrates various scenes of indulgence and moral decadence such as lust, adulteries, and luxurious parties to underscore the decadent lifestyle allegedly associated with the accuser. Furthermore, Cicero questions the accuser’s motives and involvement with Caelius, raising doubts about her relationship with him and hinting at ulterior motives by citing the accuser's family history of consuls to emphasize the discrepancy between her high social standing and her conduct.
The purpose in outlining these behaviors and raising these questions is to discredit the accuser and to cast doubt on the veracity and motivations behind the accusations against Caelius Rufus. This rhetorical strategy serves to protect Caelius by turning the attention toward the accuser’s character and actions.
The detailed analysis of these lines by Sophie Roth, considering the legal and historical context, enriches the text’s understanding for students and underscores its significance in the larger narrative of In Defense of Marcus Caelius Rufus.