Book II of the Iliad featured some
successful persuaders, and some not so successful. I have much to learn about persuasion
and rhetoric, but was able to analyze this read with the knowledge I do have from
my experience in sales jobs as well as a persuasive writing course I took last
summer. I want to point out three specific characters and how they succeeded or
failed in their attempt to accomplish things with their speech.
Agamemnon
Katie Johnson has already
given a great overview and some examples in her post of how Agamemnon was
successful in his persuasive endeavors. To add to what she has said about how
he addressed his men, the way he started his speeches was crucial, always referring
to his men as “My friends” and even “heroes” was very effective in his attempts
to persuade them to gather to attack Troy. He really talks them up, and uses
the divine as the real messenger. Agamemnon could have referred to his armies
as lesser people, he being the king, but does not, and is successful in the art
of persuasion by building his men up in this way.
Thersites
Thersites could not have
picked a poorer time to try and make his arguments. He clearly is a failure
when it comes to persuasion and lacks kairos and decorum. In order for someone
as “common” as Thersites to really challenge the king Agamemnon he would really
need more preparation and the perfect time to deliver his argument. Without
being a master of kairos and decorum, Thersites didn’t have the slightest
chance at accomplishing his desires through his speech.
Nestor Knight of
Gerene
Personally I thought Nestor
was the best salesman in the whole read. He uses great rhetorical questions and
backs up Agamemnon after Thersites feeble attempt to stop the armies from
gathering. He has a great sense of logos and decorum. He really has a handle on
his ideas and the way that he delivers them, giving Agamemnon comfort in any of
his doubts to go forward with the attack on Troy.
The Iliad Book II teaches that what you say and how you say something are both extremely important in the art of persuasion. If one neglects either what or how they speak, they are less successful in their abilities to persuade.
I also noticed the whole "friends" and "heroes" deal--these loaded words definitely instill a sense of pride in the men. One thing I also thought about, though, is that these words also could create a sense of duty in the men along with the pride. Sure, yeah, they've fought valiantly and all, but they need to CONTINUE to fight valiantly. Sure, they're Agamemnon's "friends," but they need to LIVE UP TO that title. Agamemnon makes sure the men feel that they need to step up, for being 'great' requires great responsibility.This is just another aspect of his words that makes him so persuasive.
ReplyDeleteSpencer, i'm curious what sales you do? I've just done sales before and it's always good to meet someone who understands. I agree that nestor was a very good salesman, he did accomplish what he set out to do. I'm curious what you think about him calling Agamemnon the "foremost among us". Do you think he is calling agamemnon a better "salesman" than himself?
ReplyDeleteI agree that Nestor probably implemented the most kairos and logos, but by far Agamemnon had the best use of ethos so I would probably disagree with you that Nestor was the better salesman. I think that Agamemnon had a deeper plan to actually convince his men to fight through others to make himself look like a kind and generous leader. I think Nestor and Odysseus were probably mouthpieces for Agamemnon's true plan. A good leader uses others to implement their plans. That's why President Eisenhower was so popular. He used hidden hand politics to make sure the hard stuff was done but he didn't get blamed for it.
ReplyDeleteJoesph & Katy - I sold telecommunication and satellite products over a summer at Clearlink (to answer Jospeh's question). Hmmmm interesting point guys. Yea that line does kind of make it sound like Nestor is calling Agamemnon the better salesman. That could be one take on it. The other view, which is probably the way I am seeing it, is that he is making Agamemnon feel like he is the "foremost amoung us". He wants him to feel in control, so that he can't even have the slightest thought that he is being "pressured" into following the dream, etc. A common sales tactic I used a lot, making sure the customer felt like they were leading and controlling the conversation, while really I was leading them along with a carrot at the end of a long string.
ReplyDelete