Encomium of Helen, Gorgias attempted to give such a speech, and Isocrates does the same. However, Isocrates does identify that Gorgias did not in fact give an encomium like he claims, but instead gives an apologia[1]. Isocrates says that Gorgias gave a speech that is merely a defense of Helen and not a celebration of Helen. Encomium as defined by Merriam – Webster[2] says “glowing and warmly enthusiastic praise”, whereas Silva Rhetoricae echoes the praise aspect of the speech, it goes further to indicate that encomium is a type of epideictic speech.
Encomium has a specific outline for how it should look[3]. The parts of the speech that would be had during an encomium are the following; first, describe the stock of the person, where does the person come from, who are their parents, what group of people do they belong to. Second, Describe the person’s upbringing, talk about what kind of education they received and what other kinds of instruction they received and from whom. Third, describe the results of their deeds, were they excellent with their mind, coming up with great ideas and policies, were they excellent with the body, did they have great speed, strength or beauty, and or their excellence in fortunes, including positions of power or wealth. Fourth the speech must also compare the person of focus to someone else in high esteem and compare them favorably to that person. Fifth, should be a prayer and or a call to act like the person of focus.[4]
Recent Scholarship seems to focus on how these types of speeches are inherently political and can shape the polis just as much as a more directly political speech. Gerard A. Hauser[5], says that these speeches are important because they provide the vocabulary to discuss politics.
[1] Introduction of Encomium of Helen in the book on pg 31 tells us this as does the actual text from Isocrates on pg 35
[2] http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/encomium
[3] http://rhetoric.byu.edu/figures/E/encomium.htm
[4] All the steps are presented by Silva Rhetoricae at http://rhetoric.byu.edu/Pedagogy/Progymnasmata/Encomium.htm
[5] In Rhetoric Society Quarterly, Vol. 29, No. 1. (Winter, 1999), pp. 5-23.
1 comment:
I tend to agree with Isocrates in that Gorgias' Encomium of Helen is more apologia. He praises her in a way that removes her from responsibility, but does not praise her in the way that an encomium would require.
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