Reflection #1

For our second day of class, we primarily focused on Gorgias' "Encomium of Helen.”

I enjoyed the “Encomium of Helen” quite a bit; as it is a really fun and playful piece. “Encomium of Helen” touches on a story most people are already familiar with, the story of Helen of Troy. Gorgias attempts to relieve Helen of any and all guilt she faced for leaving Sparta with Paris and starting the Trojan War. Gorgias strives to dispel Helen of Troy’s bad reputation by using rhetoric.

“Either she did what she did because of the will of fortune and the plan of the gods and the decree of necessity, or she was seized by force, or persuaded by words, ” (39). These are the beginnings of Gorgias’ arguments, he expands upon each and proves them to be true through rhetoric. As an example: “If she left for the first reason, then any who blame her deserve blame themselves, for a human’s anticipation cannot resist a god’s inclination. For by nature the stronger is not restrained by the weaker but the weaker is ruled and led by the stronger: the stronger leads the weaker follows” (39). If Helen left because it was the will of the god’s then she should be free of blame because she is human, and humans are not the equals of gods therefore they are ruled by the god’s and forced to do their will.

The “Encomium of Helen” is extremely accessible and enjoyable. It really demonstrates the use of rhetoric in a clear and concise way, showing how effective rhetoric can be when used eloquently.

Leitch, Vincent B. The Norton Anthology of Theory and Criticism. 2nd ed. New York: W. W. Norton &, 2010. Print.