Notes on Encomium of Helen

Encomium of Helen

Introduction

  • The Encomium of Helen is considered a prime example of epideictic oratory, classified by Gorgias as a "show piece" to attract students (Matsen, Rollinson and Sousa, 33).
  • Gorgias and other sophists speculated on the structure and function of language to express implications of actions and decisions (Jarratt 103).

Rhetorical Classification

  • According to Aristotle's Rhetoric, three divisions of rhetoric are: forensic, deliberative, and epideictic.
  • The Encomium is classified as an epideictic speech: a genre that praises individuals.
  • It specifically praises Helen of Troy, defending her against blame for eloping with Paris.Citation: Wardy 26.

Helen of Troy: Context and Significance

  • Helen is a key figure in Greek mythology, representing both extraordinary beauty and sexual passion.
  • She is the daughter of Zeus and Leda, the Queen of Sparta.
  • Helen's beauty is considered the direct cause of the Trojan War, which began when Paris chose her over Hera and Athena after they bribed him.
  • The consequences of her actions sparked a long-standing tradition that blamed Helen for the war.

Gorgias' Rhetorical Argument

  • Gorgias addresses the tradition of blaming Helen within the Encomium, starting with the premise that worthy entities should be praised and unworthy ones blamed (Gorgias 30).
Possible Reasons for Helen's Departure
  • Gorgias explores four potential motivations for Helen to leave Sparta:
    1. Influence of the Gods
    • If the gods were responsible, those who blame Helen share the blame because human foresight cannot control divine will (Gorgias 31).
    1. Physical Force
    • If Helen was abducted, the blame lies solely with her aggressor, not her.
    1. Love
    • If love was her motivator, Gorgias further examines it:
      • If love is divine, one cannot resist divine forces.
      • If love is viewed as a mental weakness, it should not bring blame but be seen as misfortune (Gorgias 32).
    1. Persuasion by Speech (Logos)
    • Gorgias portrays speech as potent and impactful:
      • "Speech is a powerful master and achieves the most divine feats with the smallest and least evident body."
      • Speech can invoke fear, relieve pain, generate joy, and evoke pity (Gorgias 31).
    • He compares its effects to that of drugs on the body, emphasizing the influence of rhetoric on human actions and thoughts.

Metaphors and Techniques Used

  • Gorgias uses various rhetorical devices to bolster his argument:
    • Metaphors and Paradoxes: Emphasizes contrasts and complexities in thought.
    • Schemata: Incorporates styles of rhetoric such as:
    • Isocolon: balanced clauses.
    • Antithesis: joining contrasting ideas.
    • Parison: structure of successive clauses.
    • Homoeoteleuton: repetition of word endings (Matsen, Rollinson and Sousa, 33).

The Purpose of the Speech

  • The Encomium demonstrates Gorgias' interest in argumentation, systematically refuting possible alternative interpretations of Helen's actions.
  • It serves as an encomium not just for Helen but also for the rhetorical craft itself, demonstrating its power over individuals (Gumpert, 73).
  • Gorgias employs amplification, brevity, and a rhythm that makes his prose resemble poetry (Van Hook, 122).

Conclusion

  • Gorgias' Encomium of Helen is a significant exploratory work that encapsulates the essence of epideictic rhetoric, using it as a powerful, persuasive tool for defending a figure historically criticized and reinterpreting the narrative surrounding Helen of Troy.