In reading the many posts already on display, I saw two very
distinct opinions in regards to Pericles’ Funeral Oration. In one corner, the
opinion that the oration was based upon deliberative branch of oratory while in
the other corner we have the champion of funeral orations…. (Drum roll please) the
epideictic branch!
In the post, “The Master of Disguise” Hailee Richards goes
so far to as to “classify Pericles’ Funeral Oration as a deliberative piece…”
(Also see “Things Not as They Appear”). Others on the other hand seem sure that
this speech is one of epideictic oratory.
So… Which one is it?
Could it be… both?
In an earlier post by Macey Richardson (“HPR: How Pericles
Rhetoricized”) she expressed that on occasion Pericles used elements of
deliberative rhetoric to persuade the Athenians to build up their great city.
With this attitude in mind I desire to briefly dissect how both branches of
oratory and how their coined methods can be a powerful combination.
As clearly noted within his speech Pericles praises his city
after which he praises the warriors of the city. Within this praise, Pericles
essentially states, “Athenian City is the best (accompanied with examples) and
we have grown up in this city, therefore we are also the best.” This being
said, he never claims that the people of the city are the best but it is so
obvious that there is no need to do so. This is a powerful method to prove a
point that we know as enthymeme.
This being said, Pericles does not remain in the present but
continues to speak of what is good and unworthy as well as what is advantageous
and disadvantageous in the future. Let’s see an example of this transition.
Pericles states, “This, then, is the kind of city for which these men, who
could not bear the thought of losing her, nobly fought and nobly died (praise).
It is only natural that every one of us who survive them should be willing to
undergo hardships in her service (good and advantageous).”
Brilliantly done to persuade his audience, Pericles deserves
credit for such mastery of each branch of oratory and elements. In closing, I
believe although epideictic in nature, his speech contains all three branches
of oratory. Possibly a better question than “which one is it?” may be, “how
does each branch work together to persuade an audience?”
Wow, I really liked your post. You are very right in the fact that there could be some sort of a compromise between Hailee and I. I definitely would agree that there are hints of every branch of oratory in his speech. I never before had thought that we could work all three branches into one unified approach. Thanks for the insight!
ReplyDeleteYou've done it again, Mark. I think what Pericles did in this speech took great skill, to be able to accomplish so much at the same time. I liked your insights about speaking in present and future while also drawing on the past. I guess its important to realize we're not restricted to just one form of speaking
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