An Origin of a Theory: A Comparison of Ethos in the Homeric Iliad with that Found in Aristotle's Rhetoric

Rhetoric Review Jan 2003

An Origin of a Theory: A Comparison of Ethos in the Homeric Iliad with that Found in Aristotle's Rhetoric

Todd S. Frobish

Abstract

Homer's Iliad is an epic story about human character, which predates the Aristotelian lectures by some four hundred years. While classical scholars have always valued Aristotle's notion of ethos as a primary factor in persuasion, few have traced this concept to this earlier period. Following a close analysis of speeches in the Iliad, this examination attempts to reconstruct what Homer's theory of character might have looked like. While Aristotle seems to have understood character much differently than did Homer, enough evidence exists to suggest that Aristotle may have embraced Homer's Iliad and the story it tells about the importance of age, social convention, and the heroic.

Journal: Rhetoric Review
Published: 2003-01-01
DOI: 10.1207/s15327981rr2201_2
Open Access: Closed
Topics: rhetorical theory argument

Citation Context

Cited by in this index (0)

No articles in this index cite this work.

Cites in this index (2)

Kennedy (1998)

Comparative Rhetoric: An Historical and Cross-Cultural Introduction

College Composition and Communication
Halloran (1982)

Aristotle's concept of ethos, or if not his somebody else's

Rhetoric Review

Also cites 4 works outside this index ↓

Havelock, Eric. Preface to Plato. Cambridge, MA: Belknap, 1963.

↗
Kennedy, George. Classical Rhetoric and its Christian and Secular Tradition from Ancient to Modern Times. Cha…

↗
Vivante, Paolo. Homer. New Haven: Yale UP, 1985.

↗
Yamagata, Naoko. Homeric Morality. New York: E. J. Brill, 1994.

↗

CrossRef global citation count: 7 View in citation network →