Considering the monologues that take place in Greek drama,
they knew how to mix both of these elements to get both points across. Consider
Odysseus’s speech to Hecuba after she pleads with him to let her daughter go
free. He spoke of their need to honor the dead, for if we honor not our dead
then we cannot expect other men to join the fight because they will not be
remembered for their sacrifice.- This was effective at persuading because I felt myself be convinced of it. It was a feeling of “you know, he makes a good point”. Moreover, shortly afterwards polyxena is allowing herself to be taken away (there were other influencing factors as well, but still she went away willingly).
- It was effective at describing the human condition because it made all of us think about our own desires for immortality, to be remembered, to be recognized for our sacrifice.
Perhaps they are not all that distinct after all. Consider
that through drama they are trying to achieve what end? One major end is that
they are trying to persuade not to fall into the flaws that they are
presenting. Could the same thing be said of public speaking? Trying to guide
those around you to make the best decision so that they don’t succumb to the
flaws you are telling them of?
They both are a way of explaining that which we alone cannot
explain. Why would a woman slit out the eyes of another man and kill his
children? By dramatizing the event we are able to objectify, classify, and
understand it. The same could be said of public speaking. Why would someone
sacrifice someone they don’t want to? By explaining the reasons and persuading
the audience we are able to understand the necessity of it.
