Analyzing Pericles Speech Of The Funeral Oration

To be chosen for a speech like this one, the person must be a true patriot and believer of his country and his people. To be able to present the speech and make a positive impact on the people, a person must also be censored about the words said. Pericles used the speech of the Funeral Oration to promote Athens as he sees it. He wants everyone to see it from inside and outside as well. Through Pericles’ speech, the people are reminded that the fallen did not die in vain, and there is much more to stand for being Athenian. The people from Athens were very proud of their city and their duties, regardless of the speech given by Pericles. Due to the awful causes, the content was very influential and it was dedicated directly to the Athenian people to assure them that the fallen did not die in vain. Pericles persuaded the people to keep fighting for what they believe, fight for freedom and democracy which was the duty of every Athenian citizen.
To be able to persuade his audience, Pericles must have been a role model citizen that truly believed in his people and Athens until his death. He opened up speaking about Athens ancestors “I shall begin with our ancestors: it is both just and proper that they should have the honor of the first mention on an occasion like the present” (Thucydides) he utilized these opening lines in his speech because he knew that this was something very significant for the Athenians. I believe he used this to emphasize the sacrifices made by their ancestors and to ensure that the people understood that the past wars and deaths led to the current democracy which has laws that benefit all citizens