On page 20 Agamemnon gives a short but encouraging speech to his army to persuade them to continue on against the Trojans. He begins his monologue by flattering and cajoling his audience. The troops were addressed as friends, heroes, and “servants of Mars”. (Mars was the god of war)
Agamemnon then touches on past adversities—evading personal blame—but comments on the strength the Greeks have in numbers. He even exercises perclusio (making a threat against someone or something).
The speech was immediately inspiring to the crowds. I loved the simile (beginning on line 144) that followed:
“They [the army] surged to and fro like the waves of the Icarian Sea, when the east and south winds break form heaven’s clouds to lash them; or as when the west wind sweeps over a field of corn and the ears bow beneath the blast, even so were they swayed as they flew with loud cries towards the ships, and the dust from under their feet rose heavenward.”
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| Agamemnon's mask |
I find it fascinating that a leader who made as many mistakes as Agamemnon could STILL influence scores of soldiers to go to battle for him. It is evidence that effective speaking can grant the gift of persuasion and cause an army to become completely obsequious.
I think Agamemnon was a solid leader, but I tend to believe he was so persuasive partly due to the generals he had appointed, like Ulysses. Perhaps this was a great part of his persuasive ability. I think he had a knack for creating 'kairos'. He was patient enough to wait until the circumstances were just right before speaking and emotionally moving his troops.
ReplyDeleteOoo, I like that idea, Nate (if I can call you that?)- Agamemnon created the kairos rather than letting it limit him. If a debater can learn to control the kairos, he'll lose very few arguments. It reminds me a lot of Peter and Valentine in the Ender's Game series- creating what appeared to be political chaos in order to gain control. Cool.
ReplyDeleteInteresting what you said at the end... the people STILL trusting Agamemnon to lead them. It would be difficult to trust such a leader, but that is truly that art of persuasion. I see it way too often today after the head of a company does something wrong, or even the government... the people still follow because of the persuasiveness of man.
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