Rhetoric

A detailed Summary of Rhetoric

Comparison on the Rhetorical Approaches used in Two Literary Works

Paine's "Crisis, Number One" and King Henry's St. Crispin's Day speech in Shakespeare's Henry V both deal with men convincing soldiers to defend their country against an enemy. In doing so, both men use the three Aristotelian appeals (Logos, Ethos, and Pathos) to support their arguments. Paine uses the appeals more effectively because he uses them to support several different methods of gaining the soldier's support. He creates a desire to be honored, instills fear, raises anger against Britain, validates attacking the king, raises the soldier's self-esteem, and establishes the practicality of his character among others. Henry only attempts to glorify the honor that may be received if one fights against the French.

Paine first uses pathos to create a desire for honor among the soldiers. Paine states, "...he that stands it now deserves the love and thanks of man and woman"(Paine 95). Then Paine continues to use pathos to generate anger among the soldiers towards the British. He makes the soldiers feel as if they are being manipulated at the expense of the British. In one passage he lowers their status to that of a slave: "Britain, by taxing and

Paine first uses logos to raise the spirits of the soldiers. Paine's army had recently been defeated and had no willingness to be defeated yet another time. With the troops in Washington's army feeling dejected, Paine attempts to maintain their hopes by two important quotes. "Tyranny, like hell, is not easily conquered; yet we have this consolation with us that the harder the conflict, the more glorious that triumph"(Paine 95). Later on Paine points out that going to war is inevitable. These soldiers will remain unhappy unless they take action. Paine writes "Wars, without ceasing, will break out till that period arrives( freedom from other countries), and the continent must in the end be conqueror; for though the flame of liberty may sometimes cease to shine, the coal can never expire......"(Paine 95).

Paine uses ethos to establish his character to the soldiers. It is important that he does this because they may question everything that he says if he doesn't establish himself as a reputable man. For instance, a complete moron could announce that he found a cure for cancer but if he doesn't establish himself as a reputable man, no one will ever believe him. Paine establishes his character from beginning to end in his essay. Paine can relate to the soldiers because he believes in God just as many of them do: "I have as little superstition in me as any man living, but my secret opinion has ever been, and still is, that God Almighty will not give up a people to military destruction, or leave them unsupportedly to perish....."( Paine 95). He establishes his religious devotion furthermore by writing: "Neither have I so much of the infidel in me as to suppose that He has relinquished the government of the world, and given us up to the care of the devils.....(Paine 95). Paine then proves his validity by showing confidence in his reasoning. The soldiers will now find it easier to except all of his arguments because they know he is very clear minded and practical: " My own line of reasoning is to myself as straight and clear as a ray of light"(Paine 95).

Henry's use of logos consists asserting that the share of honor will be greater with the fewer soldiers that are left after the war. Henry writes, "

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Approximate Word count = 1500
Approximate Pages = 6 (250 words per page double spaced)

Category: English