Read the first three paragraphs of Pericles’s speech and consider the way he frames the introduction. How does he introduce his major ideas? How effective is the introduction?
Pericles opens with a recount of history. He says he finds the funeral oration custom silly because the dead’s actions speak for themselves, and most people will disagree on how much merit to attribute to them anyways (too much or too little), but obliges to fulfill his responsibility nonetheless. He then celebrates the preceding generation’s actions during the Greco-Persian wars, which creates a tether between that heroic conflict and what the Athenians are experiencing during the current Peloponnesian one. He ends his introduction by suggesting how the current state of affairs—the way of life Athenians live—is what the dead are defending, and needs to be mentioned in the same breath as the bravery of the fallen.
The effect of this intro is to give Athenians a sense of legacy and make them feel like they’ve inherited their current conflict, rather than brought it about themselves. The heroism of their fathers shames the current generation into courage, and the historical events that birthed the Athenian empire make it natural to think that it must be defended. Pericles initiates a portrayal of the core values of the Athenians—a theme he will expand on—as incompatible with those of their enemies and as an integral part of their conflict (rather than mere imperialist ambition).
The only thing I don’t understand is the opening disclaimer; it seems as if Pericles is providing a defense for himself. But I also sense a subtle compliment for the inadequacy of rhetoric to celebrate military sacrifice. (Perhaps that’s an affectation of humility before our statesmen assaults us with his famous speech?)
Why does Pericles spend so much time praising Athens, its form of government, and its culture? What does this suggest about his real motives in making this speech?
Things are looking down. War has just started and here is the first batch of young dead men that will surely be followed by more. Pericles isn’t just giving a eulogy: he is justifying these corpses to the citizens of his city, and to their family members. He needs to keep people’s spirits up and resilient for more conflict. He also wants to inspire the other soldiers who see the recent dead as prophesies of their own fate.
Beyond this, Pericles probably does believe in the merits of Athens and her people, so this praise could also be genuine admiration that everyone should participate in. For what it’s worth, I agree with Pericles that the Athenian life was more realized than the Spartan one (if you’re male, that is).
What difference does Pericles see between the way Athens prepares for war and the way its neighbors do? Why is this difference important to the speech?
Sparta was a militarized state: its citizens prepared for war all year round. Athenians were mostly a volunteer army. This naturally made the former more intimidating (and potent) warriors, but the Athenians did surprisingly well against them, and their fears were partly psychological rather than real.
Pericles wants to instill a sense of pride in this seeming disadvantage by pointing out how the Athenians are still brave and powerful while being more well-rounded human beings. The unidimensional lives that Spartans live do not even make them superior to the Athenians on the battlefield. This multifaceted dimension of the Athens is portrayed as a virtue that guards against their fears of Spartan prowess.
Pericles tries throughout his speech to increase the hostility of his audience towards Sparta. Why?
Interestingly, Pericles rose to power through an Anti-Spartan political party, opposing the prior pro-Spartan one. So this demonizing isn’t just to rally people by dehumanizing the enemy, it’s also to reinforce his legitimacy as the leading statesmen of the day.
How does Pericles distinguish himself from “long winded orators”? Why does he say so little about the men whose funeral he is speaking at?
Pericles wants to avoid repeating well-worn material. He (ostensibly) does not need to remind his people that enemies are bad. What he does want to do is elevate the civic spirit to something above and beyond mere survival: that Athens is a “city on a hill” which is worth defending beyond the simple fact that it’s their home. This is why he spends so little time dwelling on the individuals who have died. They didn’t die just defending a city, they are the city, in the sense that their values are what imbue Athens with such wonder and prestige. This stressing of values raises the concern from the mere material, to the transcendent.
I think of a similar tactic during Cold War rhetoric. Both the US and the Soviets defended their empires by praising their respective ideologies. To each it was more than just land at stake: it was an entire conception of living. Pericles here does the same.
What advice does Pericles give to women? Might anything in this passage confirm Plato’s argument that it was Aspasia, a woman, who wrote the oration for Pericles to give? Explain.
Pericles tells women the best thing they can do is not get noticed, for better or for worst. This is such an outrageously sexist statement that one is right to suspect that Aspasia may have been on Pericles mind. While it’s true Athens was extremely sexist, given what we know about Aspasia’s influence of Pericles (he was mocked for listening to her so often), I suspect Pericles added this bit so to refute accusations that she crafted most—or all—of this now famous oration.
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