Creons Speech Essay
Jaquelin Mignot
Mrs.Matino
10/6/13 per 7H Creons speech is a well known powerful speech. He not only persuades the crowd to agree with his beliefs, but but also informs them of his and their place during his rule. The main point of this speech is to inform the people of his stance on the deaths of the two brothers, Polynices and Eteocles. Since these deaths were so recent, he uses the unstable emotions of the crowd to his advantage, using many tactics such as ethos and pathos.
In the beginning statements of his speech Creon uses pathos, or emotion to set the mood. “Gentlemen: I have the honor to inform you that our ship of state, which recent storms have threatened to destroy, has come safely to harbor at last, guided by the merciful wisdom of heaven.” (page 1027). Here Creon uses a mixture of pathos and imagery to start the speech off with the crowd in a gratifying and loyal mood. without the use of detail, the crowd would lose the sense of relief that the ship is home.
Ethos, or ethics is one of Creons main tactics for winning over the crowd. By using this he taps into the crowds conscience. For example " These are my principles, at any rate, and that is why I have made the following decision concerning the sons of
Oedipus. Eteocles, who died as a man should die, fighting for his country, is to be buried with full military honors, with all that is usual when the greatest heros die,” (page
1027).the words Creon choose to use were only speaking highly of Eteocles. As far as we know Eteocles may not even be a great hero, but these are the exact point that will unconsciously persuade the crowd on Creons side. Another example of this is, “but his brother polyneices, who broke exile to come back with fire and sword against his native city and the shrines of his fathers gods,” ( page 1027). Here Creon is using the same tactic but with a negative effect. Using a selective choice of words he makes everything about polynices seem negative.
Mrs.Matino
10/6/13 per 7H Creons speech is a well known powerful speech. He not only persuades the crowd to agree with his beliefs, but but also informs them of his and their place during his rule. The main point of this speech is to inform the people of his stance on the deaths of the two brothers, Polynices and Eteocles. Since these deaths were so recent, he uses the unstable emotions of the crowd to his advantage, using many tactics such as ethos and pathos.
In the beginning statements of his speech Creon uses pathos, or emotion to set the mood. “Gentlemen: I have the honor to inform you that our ship of state, which recent storms have threatened to destroy, has come safely to harbor at last, guided by the merciful wisdom of heaven.” (page 1027). Here Creon uses a mixture of pathos and imagery to start the speech off with the crowd in a gratifying and loyal mood. without the use of detail, the crowd would lose the sense of relief that the ship is home.
Ethos, or ethics is one of Creons main tactics for winning over the crowd. By using this he taps into the crowds conscience. For example " These are my principles, at any rate, and that is why I have made the following decision concerning the sons of
Oedipus. Eteocles, who died as a man should die, fighting for his country, is to be buried with full military honors, with all that is usual when the greatest heros die,” (page
1027).the words Creon choose to use were only speaking highly of Eteocles. As far as we know Eteocles may not even be a great hero, but these are the exact point that will unconsciously persuade the crowd on Creons side. Another example of this is, “but his brother polyneices, who broke exile to come back with fire and sword against his native city and the shrines of his fathers gods,” ( page 1027). Here Creon is using the same tactic but with a negative effect. Using a selective choice of words he makes everything about polynices seem negative.