Luci Graves Period 1

The Apology: Death of Socrates

Rhetorical Analysis Paper

This speech was given by Socrates, but was rendered by his pupil Plato. Socrates gave this speech in front of the Athens jury when he was being charged with corruption of youth. The purpose of this speech was to convince the jury that je was innocent. In this speech, he appeals to logos, ethos, and pathos in trying to prove his innocence. However, he was unable to persuade his audience he was innocent, and was put to death. Socrates wasnt afraid to speak his mind. He humiliates his accusers multiple times throughout his speech. This speech truly brings out Socrates personality and values. At the very beginning of Socrates speech, he announces that his accusers are deceitful liars. Their persuasive words almost made me forget who I was and yet they have hardly spoken a word of truth. Socrates wants the jury to know that his accusers cant be trusted. He then points out that his accusers tried to make him look deceitful by saying hes an eloquent, and convincing speaker. Socrates says hes obviously not an eloquent speaker, but then he says, Unless by the force of eloquence they mean the force of truth; for then I do indeed admit that I am eloquent. Socrates cunningly uses his accusers words against them to make them look like liars and to make himself look innocent. Socrates appeals to ethos (credibility) and pathos (emotion and values). For I am more than seventy years of age, and this is the first time that I have ever appeared in a court of law. This is how he appeals to ethos. He shows that hes lived for a long time and has never committed a crime before; hes lived a respectable life. Why would he commit a crime now? I am quite a stranger to the ways of the place I would have you regard me as if I really were a stranger, whom you would excuse if he spoke in his native tongue. He is appealing to pathos.

Luci Graves Period 1 That I think is not an unfair request. He appeals to the courts values. He tries to guilt them into giving him a fair trial. Let the judge decide justly and the speaker speak truly. When a judge is corrupt, he doesnt deal with issues justly. And then the accused are afraid to be honest because they fear theyll be dealt with unjustly. The whole system becomes corrupt. He is asking the court to hold to their values and beliefs. He is once again appealing to pathos. There are plenty of persons who think that they know something, but really know little or nothing; and then those who are examined by them instead of being angry with themselves are angry with me. Here Socrates is basically saying that people are mad at him because hes smarter than them, and they cant comprehend his work/theories. Then if somebody asks them, Why, what evil does he practice or teach? they do not know, and cannot tell. People ask what his awful crime was, and his accusers arent really sure what to say. They [the accusers] repeat the ready-made charges which are used against all philosophers Socrates crime was teaching his beliefs. But his accusers cant say thats why they sentenced him to death. So instead they distort it to make it sound like hes evil. Socrates is an evil-doer, who searches into things under the earth and in heaven who makes the worse appear the better cause. Throughout the speech, Socrates calls his accusers out on things theyve said. Hes honest and blunt to the jury. And yet I know that this plainness of speech makes them hate me, and what is their hatred but a proof that I am speaking the truth? Socrates anticipates their emotions and reactions to prove hes innocent. This quote shows how he uses logos, which appeals to logic. Its natural to hate someone for proving you wrong and humiliating you in public.

Luci Graves Period 1 Towards the end of the speech Socrates, again, appeals to pathos. No evil can happen to a good man, either in life or after death to die and be released was better for me. The judges are condemning him unfairly. Socrates is trying to make them feel guilty for it, going on saying, I am not angry with my accusers, or my condemners; they have done me no harm, although neither of them meant to do me any good; and for this I may gently blame them. Socrates forgives his accusers and condemners, and then explains why he rightfully blames them. Hes practically mocking them. You can tell Socrates had guts and a sense of humor. When my sons are grown up, I would have you trouble them, as I have troubled you. If they seem to care about riches, or anything, more than about virtue then reprove them. he once again humiliates his accusers by questioning their values. He doesnt want his sons to be as corrupt and worldly as these people. This is why he was so blunt in his speech. He knew they were corrupt and were going to kill him no matter what. So instead of trying to save himself, he tried to remind them of whats really important- values. Socrates ends his speech with a deep thought. The hour of departure has arrived, and we go our ways- I to die, and you to live. Which is better God only knows. The world is a cruel messed up place. Its easy for people to lose sight of whats truly important. The accusers think they won, but Socrates thinks he might have gotten the better end of the deal. Is it better to live in a cruel unjust world, or to die an honest person and be with God?