History
I find it interesting how Pericles mentions future
generations in his speech. I think this gives an interesting perspective in
reading this address, because we are
the future generations marveling at the Greek accomplishments. I think Pericles’
mention of the future indicates how interested they were in the past. They must
have looked back often and analyzed the past. Pericles knew this and wanted
them to think of how the future generations would think of them. The question
must have arisen in all of those in attendance, “why will future generations
marvel? Are our deeds really that
impressive?”
Rhetoric
These two questions were answered by Pericles with a
resounding “yes!” We must remember that there was the people listening to him
likely had lost someone in the war. His use of their feelings boost his ethos. They want to be comforted by Pericles’
words, they want to know that their loved one’s sacrifice was for a noble
cause. In such a Kairos, the more he praises the institution they died these men died for, the more his ethos increases. So he does just that, Pericles boast of the nobility and courage of the
soldiers, he praises the institution which sent them off to war as being just
and worth defending. Mark Olsen makes a very astute observation in his post
about Pericles’ clever use of inclusive pronouns, “Pericles uses words that
include everyone (including himself) such as “we” and “us.” To add to this
power of ethos.” All of this comforts the audience because they know the sacrifices of the dead were not in vain. (link to Mark’s post below)
Philosophy
I honestly feel that Pericles would be in good company with
the sophists, at the beginning of his speech he does something very
interesting, he analyzes why he is even giving the speech, and the inevitable
pit falls of said speech. He openly states that he disagrees the valor of
fallen men should be weighed on the quality of one man’s speech. So even though
he disagrees with the speech he’s giving, he orates with skill. This is a
hallmark of the sophists right? To be able to give a persuasive speech no
matter what through the use of rhetoric?
I linked to the history section of your post, but I think that rather than questioning what marvelous or impressive things they did, the people there were probably even more confident that their civilization and societal structure were the most impressive.
ReplyDeleteI really liked your posts section on history. He tells the people that the world will look at them in awe in the future as a way of inspiring them. But at the same time, his prediction(Or boasting. Call it what you'd like.) is accurate. The Greeks influenced our lives 2400 years after this speech was given! Very good insight.
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