Helen the sl... I mean the power of language

Encomium of Helen

Arguing for the sake of proving that one can argue well if he/she is well versed the ways of rhetoric is right up my alley. I have always believed that all it takes is for someone to speak well, and it modern times, 'schmooze' well, in order to be influential and successful.

People can be charmed into many things. Gorgias' assertion that rhetoric is on the same level as "magic or drugs" isn't that far from the reality. Gorgias describes speech as "a powerful lord, which by means of the finest and most invisible body effects the divinest works: it can stop fear and banish grief and create joy and nurture pity". Convincing people that Helen "did what she did" only because she was persuaded by rhetoric is a tall order considering the events that transpired due to her actions. However, if one were to prove rhetoric to be that effective, than certainly a situation like that of Helen of Troy would be useful in proving a point.

At the end of encomium, Gorgias says, "I have my means of speech removed disgrace from a woman: I have observed the procedure which I set up at the beginning of the speech; I have tried to end the injustice of blame and the ignorance of opinion; I wished to write a speech which would be a praise of Helen and a diversion". I can hear the tone in which Gorgias may have said this aloud. In my mind, I see him as saying this rather frankly and almost sarcastically.

Whether or not Gorgias believed Helen was 'innocent' or not is irrelevant. I applaud Gorgias for using such a hot topic to show the masses how effective speech can be if employed by the right rhetorician. The power of rhetoric can be a scary thought if correctly employed by the wrong person. We see stuff like this throughout history, (hitler, etc) and daily in modern times, (politicians, talk radio, and cable news). After reading excerpts from rhetorical tradition it is difficult not to question everything I hear.