I find it very interesting that at the beginning of the book right after Agamemnon had his dream from Jove he goes right to the elders of the ship and relays the message that he was told. In my opinion this adds to his ethical (ethos) appeal in the eyes of the elders. If you look at the situation in the eyes of the elders, their leader, Agamemnon, came to them with his vision and course of action before he told his troops and everyone else what his next course of action was. I think that this is a very powerful move that Agamemnon played because he just earned more respect from the elders who have persuasion power over other soldiers because of their rank.
He then goes on and addresses them as "my friends" and explained how they should not disregard this message (19). Agamemnon is very smart by using the term "friend" because it unites the group even more, and makes the elders feel more involved in the decision process which leads them to following his lead with no opposition.
In the end, this strategy of confiding in the elders, people of higher authority and power, and referring to them as friends works in his favor of persuading them to follow him because "the other sceptered kings rose with him in obedience to the word of Agamemnon" (19). He was able to persuade the elders to follow his council with no opposition which proves that his persuasion techniques were effective in the given situation.
This use of the word "friends" is one of the first things that jumped out at me while reading! I think that a very effective way to connect with someone can be to call him or her "friend," or "brother," or "sister" while interacting. On the other hand, I have been in a room with a professor who would call my class to action with the use of the word, "friends." Oftentimes, I didn't like what she was saying, and this use of the word "friends" made me even more wary of her and less likely to want that association.
ReplyDeleteI absolutely agree. I think he is very cunning and smooth the way the makes the elders feel so useful and important. I hadn't seen that before until I read your post and insight. It is very intriguing how he goes straight to the elders after his dream and tells them what happened. You had very great points on his ability to use the ethical appeal.
ReplyDeleteI also noticed the use of the word "friends" to address the armies, and thought it was interesting that Nestor felt the need to stand up after Agamemnon and pretty much say, "hey, you should listen to this man." By the mouth of two witnesses are people convinced I guess. I wonder if there is a name for the rhetorical device of having people affirm what someone else has already said.
ReplyDeleteThis is an interesting approach that I think is all too common in our lives. For example, young children often argue. At a young age, these arguments can end in a multiplicity of ways--physical fights, the stealing of toys, the silent treatment, etc. These are generally the outcomes when children solve their problems themselves. However, as we grow, we come to better understand the benefits of appealing to authority. This is when the toddler enters the "tattle tale" stage--running to parents in an attempt to have them help back their position. This process is unending. This is what keeps lawyers in business.
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