What is Demosthenes’ argumentative strategy? – Case study
Vigouroux Charles 1er1
What is Demosthenes’ argumentative strategy in this speech?
« To wait to know enough to act in full light is to condemn oneself to inaction ». This sentence that Jean Rostand said in 1967 in the book: “Concerns of a biologist”, represents very well the situation that Demosthenes faces. He is part of an inactive people who are subjected to the decisions of a tyrant: Philippe. Through his speech, “the duty to act” Demosthenes tries to revolt the Athenian people. He provokes them, makes them think and unites them. We will see that it is his argumentative strategy to convince the Athenians.
At first, Demosthenes provokes the Athenians by placing him in the rank of victim. He begins by making an opposition between Philippe and the Athenians: Philippe is powerful, “he threatens” (l.2); the Athenians are threatened, inactive and « trapped » (l.5). Demosthenes also uses the lexical field of passivity (through words like): « inaction » (l.4), « hesitation » (l.4), « wait » (l.6 and 7), « we force us to do it. « (L.7). Then it provokes their pride. Through a passage from Line 9 to 10: “(…) for a man, the most pressing need is to have to be ashamed of his behavior”. In this passage he provokes, he touches, he uses pathos. Demosthenes touches the Athenians in something in their self-esteem. They should be ashamed of themselves! Because a free man is not a victim.
Next, Demosthenes makes the Athenians think about the use of personal pronouns. He uses the rhetorical question with the second person plural “You” to represent the Athenians: “(…) when will you do your duty? What are you waiting for to act? »(L.6,7). He blames the Athenians on several occasions like for example line 18 and 19 for provoking a reaction. « (…) If you do not apply yourself to your business and if you refuse to perform your duty », this alliteration seeks to blame the Athenians! He also creates a contrast with him by using “When to me” (l.8) or even “I” (l.8), it is a plan which seeks to show a certain opposition between what the Athenians do and think. and Demosthenes.
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