Are you Noble?

Throughout the Iliad, tradition played a major role in the formation of rhetoric and persuasion. In addition, one’s noble attributes played a major role in the substance of arguments. Nobility is defined as “class of persons distinguished by high birth or rank”[1], and clearly throughout the Iliad, one’s nobility at times concured with creditability. Though this argument can be seen at times as a determent, i.e. Achilles refusal to listen to Agamemnon; however, overall characters ability to persuade would be linked to their nobility.

Nobleza (ευγενής) is the translated Greek word of noble(ility)[2] and the word and concept are stated in the text several times. The most prominent usage of the word is “the noble son of…” when addressing a person. This invokes the meaning of lineage; moreover, a major concept overall of one’s nobility is their responsibility, not just to one’s lineage. This plays into much of the Greek concept and mythology. In addition, nobility has been used for centuries as an argument to maintain the status quo, noblesse oblige. Noblesse Oblige is the concept that one is obligated to serve those less fortunate because they are noble.

This concept is heavily played out in Book XII where Sarpedon gives a speech before attacking the Argive rampant. “…Why are the choicest portions served us and our cups kept brimming, and why do men look up to us as though we were gods?... but death in ten thousand shapes hangs ever over our heads, and no man can elude him; therefore let us go forward and either win glory for ourselves, or yield it to another.” Through this speech, though I only chosen a few excerpts, it displays the heavy responsibility of one who is of good fortune, and if nothing comes from this war, we die as giving our lives for those who cannot.

This concept is nothing new to the Greeks; royalty, responsibility, lineage, and rank; in fact it is even in the bible: "For unto whomsoever much is given, of him shall be much required: and to whom men have committed much, of him they will ask the more.[3]" This scripture is often quoted in churches and many times used to show that someone’s faith, discernment, and level of knowledge will be held much more responsible than one who is of lower rank or knowledge. This phrase is also used as the motto in the national organization, National Honor Society, stated in their constitution under Article XV, section 5[4].

This concept was even used as a primary argument to maintain slavery[5], and today we use it in public speaking realms to address the enormous of amount of power a public speaker has, heavily citing Winston Churchill’s quote, “With great power, comes great responsibility.” With all this consideration, it was not only used a concept to shape and maintain the status quo, but to even break the status quo. In Thomas Paine’s pamphlet, Common Sense, he addresses the concept of monarchy and heredity succession; whereas, (after he states the major distinctions of those who are rich and those who are poor) he states “…but there is no greater distinction for which no truly natural or religious reason can be assigned, and that is, the distinction of men into KINGS and SUBJECTS.[6]” Here he alludes to the premise that the greatest divide is this whole notion of nobility and rank, whereas, his argument continues that we are all equal. He goes onto mention our country should never be in the hands of a “noble” one, i.e. Agamemnon (clearly the reason why Achilles would not follow him) but in the hands of the people. The pamphlet titled "Common Sense" launched the awakening, help make much of the first moves of America’s independence, and several concepts and words are used in our United States constitution[7].

Finally, this whole notion of nobility clearly has its falsehood; yet, it is at the core of ethos and what has been used for thousands of years to establish arguments and discourse. And today this is still prevalent; however, I will let you decide where this concept still plays out.

[1] Dictionary. (2009, September 06). Retrieved 2009, from The Free Dictionary: http://www.thefreedictionary.com/nobility
[2] Translator. (2009, September 06). World Lingo. Retrieved 2009, from http://www.worldlingo.com/
[3] Bible. (2009, September 06). King James Version, Luke 12:48. Bible
[4] Society, N. H. (2009, September 6). National Honor Society. Retrieved from http://www.nhs.us/s_nhs/sec.asp?CID=135&DID=5290#art15
[5] Chambers, Clarke A. Noblesse Oblige. American Historical Review; Apr83, Vol. 88 Issue 2, p483, 2p
[6] Pane, T. (1776). Common sense. England: Signet Classics.
[7] US History.org. (2009, September 06). US History.org. Thomas Paine; Common Sense. Retrieved from http://www.ushistory.org/paine/commonsense/