Creative Writing on "Speech of Alexander the Great"

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Speech of Alexander the Great

Alexander the Great was the son of King Philip II of Macedon and Olympias, the daughter of King Neopolemus I of Epirus. Alexander is considered by many to be the greatest military leader in all of history. His father, Philip II, had unified most of the city-sates in Greece, and Alexander continued this unification by using his military might to encompass: Thrace, Thebes, Syria, Phoenicia, Mesopotamia, Assyria, Egypt, and northern India (Gill). He founded approximately 70 cities during his short period of empire creation (Gill). He was intent on spreading the Greek culture throughout the area, but he was also made an effort to be inclusive; he adapted to local customs and married local women. Sometimes his troops responded negatively to Alexander's willingness to adopt local customs. They also questioned the every-expanding nature of Alexander's mission. In 330, when Alexander's men learned they would not be returning home after the sacking of Persepolis, his men threatened to mutiny (Gill). In 324, Alexander was faced with another mutiny, and actually executed the leaders of the mutiny (Gill).

In 326 B.C., by the Hydaspes River in India, Alexander was faced with troops who were reluctant to follow him. He called his men together for a meeting and asked them to come to a decision together about whether to proceed or turn back. The speech was almost certainly given outdoors, as there were presumably no indoor structures sufficiently large enough to hold his army. One imagines Alexander pacing in front of the river, his men spread out in front of him, commanders towards the front and infantry towards the back of the groups. Moreover, this is a speec

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h given to soldiers. Because of that aspect, one would anticipate a fair amount of posturing. Not only would Alexander be striving to appear macho and competent in front of the men he was addressing, but those men would also presumably be feeling pressure to be manly in front of their compatriots. This feeling would almost certainly be exacerbated if he addressed the entire army at once, rather than addressing smaller, more discrete groups where the men were more likely to feel camaraderie with known associates.

Alexander gave this speech as a way to convince his men to move forward into India instead of going home and abandoning their efforts. He pointed out that their efforts to that point had been successful. He also asked them to consider whether or not he had been a good leader. Then, he asked them to consider why they did not want to move forward into India. His main claims in his speech focused on their history of success, the low likelihood of any active resistance in the lands they were entering, Greek's imminent global dominance, and the danger of leaving warlike people unconquered. The intended audience for his speech was the group of men that were following him. Alexander's goal was to get his men to continue to follow him rather than returning to Greece.

The argument that Alexander chose to use was very persuasive to his intended audience. One of the greatest strengths of the argument was that Alexander highlighted the past accomplishments of the men as a means of quelling any concerns that they would fail in their future endeavors. He also uses a very grandiose and broad vision to help inspire the men, talking about taking over all of Asia and then using that example in contrast to simply staying home and protecting the home front. However, the argument also had its weaknesses. In some locations Alexander speaks about them being welcomed by the people in distant lands, but he also discusses forcing nations into submission, making one question which part of the argument is true. Taken as a whole, the argument was a persuasive one, which is revealed, not only by the text of the argument, but by the historical fact that it did inspire his men to continue into Asia.

Audience

This speech was captured by Arrian and found in the Campaigns of Alexander the Great. It was placed by J.S. Arkenberg, a professor from Cal State Fullerton, on the Ancient History Sourcebook sponsored by Fordham University. It can be found at the following web address: http://www.fordham.edu/halsall/ancient/arrian-alexander1.asp. The modern audience is very different from the author's intended audience. The speech was directed at the men under Alexander the Great's command as he attempted to lead them into Asia. The audience is apparent from the subject matter of the speech. Alexander begins the speech by saying why he has gathered his men to speak with them, and it is in this opening clause that one becomes aware, not only of his intended audience, but also of the reason that he has decided to give the speech. The author chose that particular audience because it seems that there was some indication that his men might not be willing to follow him if he proceeded into Asia; therefore, he had to address their concerns if he wanted their continuing support. From the text of the speech, there is no indication that he had a secondary intended audience. However, it seems that he had to have been aware that his speeches were being chronicled; the speech was recorded by Arrian and it seems unlikely that Arrian could have recorded the speech without Alexander's knowledge. Moreover, the etimology of the word marathon establishes that the Greeks had an established practice of using a series of runners as messengers to convey information from the war front to the home; therefore, one would imagine that the people left at home in Greece were a secondary audience for the speech. When one examines how the speech justifies the continued absence of his men from Greece, the fact that the speech would have probably made it back to Greece before the end of their campaign makes it appear that he could have intended the speech as positive propaganda for the people at home. Moreover, there may have been some likelihood that the people he was approaching would get details about the speech, as spies are common in warfare. Highlighting their prior successes would make his men seem more formidable, as would his determination to conquer Asia. From the text of the speech, there is no indication that anyone was specifically excluded from the audience of the speech. Instead, like a modern politician, Alexander's speech seems carefully crafted to have had an impact on any potential audience.

Logos

The logos of a speech refers to the logical arguments contained in the speech (Dlugan). In many ways, logos comes down to the physical structure of the speech and examines such details as whether the statements in the speech are supported by fact. Alexander begins this speech by telling his audience why he has gathered them together to speak to them. He begins by discussing the accomplishments that he and his men have made, up to this date. Next, using those accomplishments, he asks them to consider why they would be hesitant to move forward. He moves onto to defining what it means to be a man, and his definition of manliness coincides with the type of person who would want to press forward in the military campaign. Next, he goes on to discuss the consequences of failing to conquer those lands that he plans to conquer next. Finally, he concludes by reminding his men that he is not asking them to do anything that he, as a leader, has not always been willing to do with them. While he will allow men to go home, if they choose to do so, he promises to make those who stay with them the envy of the men who return home.

There are two real shifts in the arguments and reasoning used in the speech. It begins with an appeal to their prior success, which is based on them being an almost undefeatable army. However, Alexander then uses fear as a tactic, suggesting the possibility of dangerous consequences if they fail to move forward, which seems to contradict the idea of an undefeatable army. Then, he moves to an empathetic position, stating that he understands their hardships because he has endured those same hardships with them. With this empathy, he transitions once more into an attitude that they are undefeatable.

The overall structure of the argument seems sound. He opens with an acknowledgement that many of his men disagree with him, which is critical given that he was trying to persuade them to move back towards his position. He focuses on their strengths as an army, but also highlights how his leadership helped them create that strength. Finally, he concludes by making it clear that he would not prohibit men from returning home, but only after establishing that he believed that only cowards would do so.

There are three different types of arguments, and Alexander employs each of these in his speech. "Arguments about causes rely on assumptions or shared beliefs about what… READ MORE

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Quoted Instructions for "Speech of Alexander the Great" Assignment:

“

Dear *****,

Mind you, this creative writing piece should follow the Rhetorical Analysis Outline for the Speech of ***** The Great. Please follow the required guidelines.

I. Introduction

A. Contextualize selected speech: discuss its exigency/social context; paint a quick picture of the cultural climate into which this argument was introduced

B. Introduce author and his/her speech: discuss briefly author*****s background, occupation, etc.

C. Describe briefly speech*****s subject matter/gist

D. Identify briefly author*****s main claim(s)

E. Identify very briefly author*****s intended audience(s)

F. Discuss briefly author*****s likely main goals

G. State thesis: the gist of your final evaluation*****that is, how relatively persuasive/unpersuasive you find this argument for its intended audience, listing briefly some of its greatest strengths and weaknesses as considered from the intended audience*****s perspective.

II. Audience

A. Identify publication source (publisher, website, organization, college)

B. Identify author*****s intended audience

C. Describe how else we know*****from the subject matter, argument, etc.*****that this is the likely intended audience

D. Discuss why the author likely chose this audience and how you know this

E. Discuss who else might be included in the audience, why, and how you know this

F. Discuss who is likely excluded from the audience, why, and how you know this. * Note: Focus, though, on the primary intended audience above

III. Logos

A. Discuss Structure of speech

1. Provide road-map of the speech*****s organization/logic for your listeners (who we are pretending have never read the speech)

2. Do so by describing how the speech opens, how it unfolds, and how it concludes

3. Do so by describing major shifts in argument*****s reasoning

4. Evaluate argument*****s structure: conclude this section by commenting on how intended audience might respond to the argument*****s overall structure. * Note strengths as well as possible weaknesses

B. Main claims of argument (kinds of argument) and supporting reasoning

1. Identify main claims of argument

2. Describe what kinds of argument they are*****definition, causal, evaluation, proposal*****and how these arguments fit in the overall argument

3. Describe how the author supports these claims*****what reasons he/she offers

4. Provide a handful of specific examples of representative (key and clear) instances of the author*****s reasoning*****how he/she links reasons to a claim

5. Analyze each example briefly: discuss how the author uses that particular strategy to persuade listeners

6. Evaluate argument*****s reasoning: conclude this section by commenting on how the intended audience will likely respond, overall, to the author*****s reasoning and use of the different kinds of arguments. * Note strengths as well as possible weaknesses

C. Discuss kinds of evidence used

1. Discuss the kinds of evidence the author uses to persuade listeners (e.g. facts, statistics, personal experience, stories, anecdotes, etc.)

2. Provide a few key examples of different types of evidence

3. Analyze each example briefly: discuss how the author uses that type and/or specific bit of evidence to persuade listeners

4. Evaluate argument*****s evidence: conclude this section by commenting on how the intended audience will likely respond, overall, to the author*****s use of different forms of evidence and the quality and quantity of that evidence. * Note strengths as well as possible weaknesses

IV. Ethos

A. Discuss briefly author*****s extrinsic ethos: how it is established, how it contributes to the author*****s character/credibility, and how it might influence the intended audience

B. Discuss more fully author*****s intrinsic ethos

C. Provide a few key examples of how the author builds his/her ethos throughout the argument

D. Analyze each example briefly: discuss how the author uses that strategy to persuade listeners

E. Evaluate author*****s ethos: conclude this section by commenting on how the intended audience will likely respond, overall, to the author*****s ethos. * Note strengths as well as possible weaknesses

V. Pathos

A. Discuss author*****s appeals to pathos: appeals to intended audience*****s emotions, values, assumptions, sense of identity

B. Provide a few key examples of how the author uses pathos in different ways to persuade his/her intended audience

C. Analyze each example briefly: discuss how the author uses that particular strategy to elicit certain responses/feelings from listeners

D. Evaluate author*****s use of pathos appeals: conclude this section by commenting on how the intended audience will likely respond, overall, to the author*****s appeals to pathos. * Note strengths as well as possible weaknesses

VI. Counter-arguments and qualifiers

A. Discuss briefly how, where, and why the author might qualify main claims of his/her argument in crucial ways and what effect these qualifications might have on the reader

B. Discuss more fully how the author addresses counter-arguments, concessions, and refutations

C. Provide a few key examples of how the author addresses counter-arguments to persuade his/her intended audience

D. Analyze each example briefly: discuss how the author handles the counter-argument (how respectful he/she is to the opposition, how much he/she concedes and refutes) and what effect these strategies have on listeners

E. Evaluate author*****s use of counter-arguments, concessions, and refutations: conclude this section by commenting on how the intended audience will likely respond, overall, to the author*****s treatment of the opposition and its arguments.Note strengths as well as possible weaknesses

VII. Conclusion

A. Concluding paragraph should highlight the argument*****s strengths and weaknesses (as concerns the intended audience)

B. After weighing strengths and weaknesses, offer a final evaluation of the argument*****s overall persuasiveness relative to the intended audience.

Below is the *****"Speech of ***** the Great*****" :

I observe, gentlemen, that when I would lead you on a new venture you no longer follow me with your old *****. I have asked you to meet me that we may come to a decision together: are we, upon my advice, to go forward, or, upon yours, to turn back?

If you have any complaint to make about the results of your efforts hitherto, or about myself as your commander, there is no more to say. But let me remind you: through your courage and endurance you have gained possession of Ionia, the Hellespont, both Phrygias, Cappadocia, Paphlagonia, Lydia, Caria, Lycia, Pamphylia, Phoenicia, and Egypt; the Greek part of Libya is now yours, together with much of Arabia, lowland Syria, Mesopotamia, Babylon, and Susia; Persia and Media with all the territories either formerly controlled by them or not are in your hands; you have made yourselves masters of the lands beyond the Caspian Gates, beyond the Caucasus, beyond the Tanais, of Bactria, Hyrcania, and the Hyrcanian sea; we have driven the Scythians back into the desert; and Indus and Hydaspes, Acesines and Hydraotes flow now through country which is ours. With all that accomplished, why do you hesitate to extend the power of Macedon*****yourpower*****to the Hyphasis and the tribes on the other side ? Are you afraid that a few natives who may still be left will offer opposition? Come, come! These natives either surrender without a blow or are caught on the run*****or leave their country undefended for your taking; and when we take it, we make a present of it to those who have joined us of their own free will and fight on our side.

For a man who is a man, work, in my belief, if it is directed to noble ends, has no object beyond itself; none the less, if any of you wish to know what limit may be set to this particular camapaign, let me tell you that the area of country still ahead of us, from here to the Ganges and the Eastern ocean, is comparatively small. You will undoubtedly find that this ocean is connected with the Hyrcanian Sea, for the great Stream of Ocean encircles the earth. Moreover I shall prove to you, my friends, that the Indian and Persian Gulfs and the Hyrcanian Sea are all three connected and continuous. Our ships will sail round from the Persian Gulf to Libya as far as the Pillars of Hercules, whence all Libya to the eastward will soon be ours, and all Asia too, and to this empire there will be no boundaries but what God Himself has made for the whole world.

But if you turn back now, there will remain unconquered many warlike peoples between the Hyphasis and the Eastern Ocean, and many more to the northward and the Hyrcanian Sea, with the Scythians, too, not far away; so that if we withdraw now there is a danger that the territory which we do not yet securely hold may be stirred to revolt by some nation or other we have not yet forced into submission. Should that happen, all that we have done and suffered will have proved fruitless*****or we shall be faced with the task of doing it over again from the beginning. Gentlemen of Macedon, and you, my friends and allies, this must not be. Stand firm; for well you know that hardship and danger are the price of glory, and that sweet is the savour of a life of courage and of deathless renown beyond the grave.

Are you not aware that if Heracles, my ancestor, had gone no further than Tiryns or Argos*****or even than the Peloponnese or Thebes*****he could never have won the glory which changed him from a man into a god, actual or apparent? Even Dionysus, who is a god indeed, in a sense beyond what is applicable to Heracles, faced not a few laborious tasks; yet we have done more: we have passed beyond Nysa and we have taken the rock of Aornos which Heracles himself could not take. Come, then; add the rest of Asia to what you already possess*****a small addition to the great sum of your conquests. What great or noble work could we ourselves have achieved had we thought it enough, living at ease in Macedon, merely to guard our homes, accepting no burden beyond checking the encroachment of the Thracians on our borders, or the Illyrians and Triballians, or perhaps such Greeks as might prove a menace to our comfort ?

I could not have blamed you for being the first to lose heart if I, your commander, had not shared in your exhausting marches and your perilous campaigns; it would have been natural enough if you had done all the work merely for others to reap the reward. But it is not so. You and I, gentlemen, have shared the labour and shared the danger, and the rewards are for us all. The conquered territory belongs to you; from your ranks the governors of it are chosen; already the greater part of its treasure passes into your hands, and when all Asia is overrun, then indeed I will go further than the mere satisfaction of our ambitions: the utmost hopes of riches or power which each one of you cherishes will be far surpassed, and whoever wishes to return home will be allowed to go, either with me or without me. I will make those who stay the envy of those who return*****" (326 B.C.; Hydaspes River, India).

Source:

Fortham University . (August 2000). Ancient History Sourcebook. *****"Arrian: Speech of ***** the Great, from The Campaigns of *****.*****" <.http://www.fordham.edu/halsall/ancient/arrian-*****1.asp>

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