A Rhetorical Analysis Of Pericles Speech

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The primary message that Pericles leaves his audience with is that the most valiant way a man can live and die is in the service of freedom and his city of Athens, and that those who died in the war were not lost in vain, as they made the most glorious contribution that they could offer - their lives. In this speech, Pericles speaks to Athens honoring the citizens who died in various battles of the war, but he also uses it as a way to inspire and motivate Athenians to do the same as those who fought for Athens and have fallen. Although this speech was meant to be for the people who died, he focuses on those who are alive. He praises them for all they have done for Athens, but says they must do even more to honor those who have died to maintain the great city. He tries to inspire the people of Athens, but emphasizes that they need to sacrifice as much as the people did before them. …show more content…

Bearing the values of courage, duty, and honor in mind, Pericles instills the premise within Athenians’ that they should strive to perpetrate the values their predecessors fought for, and endure pain and sacrifice to retain them in the face of war. They must, therefore, reflect a fortitudinous, determined, and devoted attitude as they defend

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