Even though Aristotle lived in the time of Ancient Greece and over 2,300 years ago his ideas and theories on rhetoric are still relevant today. Aristotle developed a theory that the "available means of persuasion are based on three kinds of proof: logical (known as logos), ethical (known as ethos), and emotional (known as pathos)" (Griffin pg. 280).
This is an audio clip from the movie Legally Blonde proving that even with a small speech that over 2,000 years later Aristotle's views on rhetoric are still prevalent.
Logos is proof of a logical nature that comes from the argument found within a speech and is persuasion based on deductible reasoning. Elle Woods, in the movie Legally Blonde, uses logos in her Harvard graduation speech by first quoting Aristotle and then proving him incorrect by offering her logic from her experience at Harvard.
Ethos is "ethical proof, which comes from the speaker's intelligence, character, and goodwill toward the audience, as these personal characteristics are revealed through the message" (Griffin pg. 283). In the Legally Blonde speech Elle uses ethos because as Professor Stormwell mentions at the beginning of the clip Elle is the graduation class' elected speaker and the professor also mentions that Elle has been invited to be a part of one of Boston's most renowned law firms. The audience of Elle's speech are her peers and it's made obvious that they see the characteristics in Elle that are the same characteristics that build ethos because they choose her to speak and if anyone was weary of her qualifications their doubts should be dismissed because of her job offer.
Pathos is, "emotional proof, which comes from the feelings that speech draw out of those who hear it." If you've seen the entirety of the movie, Legally Blonde, you know that at the beginning when Elle first went to Harvard she was not widely accepted by her classmates based on first impressions. In her speech to her peers she offers advice to them: that first impressions are not always correct, to always have faith in people, and always have faith in yourself. What you cannot hear in the audio clip but can visually see in the movie are the emotions from her classmates that show how far they've come from from first meeting Elle and a deep appreciation for what she has just taught them and the conclusion of her speech is met with a roaring applause.
I agree with Catherine that Aristotle’s three theories behind Rhetoric still exist in today’s society. In terms of logos, I found it very interesting that Catherine’s clip actually went against the very person in which we were reading about, that being Aristotle. But I do agree with her points that Griffin says that logos is persuasion based upon deductable reasoning, which is exactly what Elle Woods proved in her speech from Legally Blonde.
ReplyDeleteAs far as ethos goes, Elle well represents the idea of being “credible” (Griffin 282), in her speech, as well as her life, seeing as it is her ongoing favorable and outstanding qualities that elect her as the chosen speaker. Also, for those who have seen the movie, her intelligence and good character go well beyond her blonde hair in her strong work ethic, as well as her treatment towards her friends and peers, which gains her much love and respect. All of this combined shows that ethos, or “ethical proof” (Griffin 283), still exists today.
In terms of pathos, I agree with Catherine in that Elle brought out the right emotions of her professors and peers from her speech. I feel that she well misunderstood in the beginning of the film as stated, and yet over time began to prove herself to those around her, and win them over to then have the prestigious honor of giving such a speech. With their kind treatment and respect for her at the end of the film, as well as their election of her for the speech, and praise and applause for her after the speech, Elle truly proved that Aristotle’s idea of pathos still does exist today.
I agree with Catherine, in that Elle Woods uses one of Aristotle’s types of Rhetorical Proofs in her speech; Pathos. She uses Pathos by creating feelings in the audience members, because of some of the phrases that she uses in her speech. One example is when Elle states that “it is with passion, courage of conviction, and strong sense of self that we take our next steps into the world.” Since it is a graduating class that she is speaking to, this phrase brings out the emotion of confidence in the audience. Even though Elle Woods was not speaking to me, I felt a confidence drive as well. Elle also brought out the emotions of friendship, love, and confidence in the audience members, by ending her speech with the phrase “congratulations class of 2004, we did it.” By ending the speech in that way, she brought the overall feeling of togetherness to everyone in the room.
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