Sunday, September 28, 2014

Well Done Pericles

Greek Civilization

In reading the Funeral Oration of Pericles as recorded by Thucydides one large cultural element was made apparent; unity. In some ways I feel as though we look back at ancient Greece (in this case Athens) as “stuck up” or “prideful.” It is important to recall, especially as seen in this oration, that the people of ancient Greece and specifically the people of Athens were united in their patriotism. Although Alexander Noren calls it pride in his post, I believe it to be nobler then that. I imagine that he would agree that the Athenians were patriotic but it’s important to clarify that that does not inherently make them prideful a people. Patriotism is a pride or loyalty to a common purpose (in this case pride and loyalty in a city.)

United We Stand (a good use of rhetoric)

The theme of patriotism flows smoothly into the ethos of Pericles’ oration. It is important to note (as does Alexander Noren) that throughout all of his oration Pericles uses words that include everyone (including himself) such as “we” and “us.” To add to this power of ethos, the patriotism naturally appeals to pathos. Who, if anyone, does not find a uniting power when speaking about their homes? This loyalty to the city of Athens as well as Pericles’ ability to bring back to remembrance many elements of their city persuades the audience to an emotional tie to his words.

A Dramatic Speech

Within the speech many elements of Drama are present. Although there are no other characters or changes in (literal) scenery, Pericles is able to take the audience from one scene to another with his words. He takes the audience from the life of a youth in the city of Athens, to the middle aged, the old age and ultimately to the death. One can almost hear the passion in his voice as he speaks and demonstrates his points. I don’t believe much would need to change in regards to the approach of his speech if he were to transform it into a play. I imagine the physically scenery on stage would be of the city, with landmarks of the city that the audience would know well. The only change that would need to change is that instead of a narrator, each stage of life would be played out by actors. It’d be a play worth watching!

2 comments:

  1. I agree that the way Peracles spoke was something nobler than pride. He seemed to me to be genuinely teaching things that he'd been taught all along, and things that he felt deeply about, we do the same int he church, people often feel that we are conceited or prideful because we know that we've found the best way. (See how conceited and prideful that could sound to someone?) Peracles seemed to me to be doing the same thing, and then invited most of them to do things that were good.

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  2. Right on. Often times when we are on the outside looking in we may feel that pride is at the chore when really, those who are on the inside understand that it is deeper than vain pride. It is a gratitude for what they have. I understand where you are coming from. From both perspectives we can be misunderstood. It's worth not assuming things.

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