The Master of Disguise

Was Pericles’ funeral oration really an epideictic masterpiece?  The first time I read the piece I thought it odd for a funeral speech; although there was praise I found it more to be praise of Athens rather than praise of the soldiers.  While reading Aristotle’s Rhetoric I found some interesting insights to help categorize the type of rhetoric Pericles used in his funeral oration.

Aristotle, when speaking of advisory rhetoric or deliberative, states that the orator needs to give advice on what is advantageous and good.  He goes into further detail by describing what makes something considered “good”.  He includes courage and honor in the definition.  He states that “if be cowards is the most advantageous thing for one’s enemies, it is evident that courage is the most beneficial thing for the citizens” (Aristotle Rhetoric, page 152).  Pericles goes into great detail to emphasize the importance of courage in the citizens of Athens.  We may consider this praise but with Aristotle’s insight we can view it in the light that Pericles was exhorting them to continue to be courageous in war. 

Was Pericles a master of disguise?

When speaking of deliberative rhetoric Aristotle quotes Pericles’ funeral oration (Aristotle Rhetoric, page 158).  He then goes on to the importance of one who is advising or warning to “grasp all forms of government” so that one may know the things that are advantageous to them in order to preserve the form of government (Aristotle Rhetoric, page 159).  Pericles goes into great deal praising the democracy in Athens.  As a political leader this was important to him and he wanted to preserve it.  I feel that instead of praising the soldiers who had died, Pericles used the opportunity to encourage the people to continue to fight for the form of government that they had established which was superior in his viewpoint.  He even encouraged the women to have more children which could eventually become soldiers and protect the magnificent Athens. 

In my understanding from Aristotle’s Rhetoric, I would classify Pericles’ Funeral Oration as a deliberative piece although the setting seemed appropriate for an epideictic speech.