Critical Response to Plato's Gorgias and Phaedrus Paper Example

Critical Response to Plato's Gorgias

Gorgias was one of the greatest Socratic dialogues of Plato. The friendly dialogue between Socrates and a group of sophists portrayed the rhetoric practice as simply flattery (Scott 14). The dialogue maintains its independence by relating Plato's principal philosophical mission that espoused noble and proper human existence. Since Socrates was Plato's teacher, the former's words in the conversation portray Plato's expressions as well as the Socratic framework and presentation. The dialogue portrayed the true nature of rhetoric, power, justice, and good against evil. Socrates and Chaerephon discuss Gorgias as a rhetoric speaker. The two question Gorgias about the nature and scope of the rhetoric. Socrates and Chaerephon discussion endear deeper to weigh out true against false arts with the excellent being different from the pleasant (Wandy 58).

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The dialogue goes ahead and investigates the true principle of power which leads to a power struggle due to individual inability and inadequate need to act independently. The idea of power leads to the question of the worst thing an individual can do to surpass evil or to escape punishment. Power results in the mapping of the virtue of right and wrong (Wandy 87).

The dialogue seeks to scrutinize the tone of Gorgias. Callicles rebuked Socrates due to the close pursuit of philosophy that Socrates pursued. Meanwhile, Callicles saw Socrates philosophical urge as a disgrace to adults. The widespread beliefs of their colleagues threatened Socrates quest for the truth.

The conversation further analyses the value of justice and temperance. Socrates gives a framework of proofs that showed the difference between the good and the unpleasant. Socrates argued that the chaos experienced in Athens was as a result of the failures of the two; thereby bringing about illusions involving persuasion of the truth. The dialogue continues by showing how virtues manifest to create a righteous life. Socratic virtues are evident in gymnastics and medicine as well as temperance and justice. The death of Socrates at the end of the conversation signifies the importance of having virtues both in the world and beyond.

Critical Response to Plato's Phaedrus

The Phaedo dialogue narrates events and conversations that occurred when Socrates was murdered. The dialogue described a state of abnormality for Socrates for going outside the city gates where Socrates met Phaedrus. Socrates finds Phaedrus listening to Lysias' speech. Socrates is interested and asks Phaedrus to recite it. Socrates and Phaedrus lie down on a fresh grass as Phaedrus reads the speech to Socrates. Socrates criticizes the speech saying that it was a divine sign and the philosopher could make a better speech and resulted in the recitation of an exaggerated speech. Socrates leaves with the idea of giving a different speech that showed respect and love.

Socrates begins by claiming that human beings have come from divine madness. Divine madness awakens the souls to songs and poetry that teaches the future generation (Taylor 177). Socrates argues that human beings are both mortal and immortal. Socrates views the soul as immortal with the capabilities of dwelling with the gods thus experiencing nourished beauty, wisdom, and goodness.

The gods in heaven view things such as justice, self-control, knowledge, and truth as critical. Human souls crave to get a sight of such a thing but are distracted by human nature. However, living righteously such as doing what is right can enable a human soul to see such things. Socrates also talks about love which is a symbol of beauty thus must be accompanied by self-control (Taylor 184).

Phaedrus admitted that Socrates speech was far better than Lysias after listening to the speech. Socrates emphasizes the essence of directing a soul through correct speech everywhere whether in public or in private. Phaedrus remarks that people should understand the existing types of souls and also understand the nature of the world. Socrates adds there is beauty in doing what is right and just despite being challenging just as writing can be more difficult than speech. Socrates compares writing with the life of an individual who talks and answers questions to only a few people and remains silent on others.

Critical Response on Rhetorical Ad HerenniumThe rhetorica ad herennium has been used for many years. The book uses practical examples of rhetoric and also gives a complete guideline on the memorization of speech (Revolvy 1). The rhetorica ad herennium indicates various causes that a speaker would address. The causes include demonstrativum, deliberativum, and iudiciale. Demonstrativum addresses issues that can be condemned or praised in a person. On the other hand, deliberativum address issues such as policies that are to be addressed, and iudiciale addresses issues such as legal controversies that should be addressed.

The rhetorica ad herennium lays out five steps that outline the standard format for essay writing that is commonly used nowadays. The first step is the exordium where the authors use essential items such as anecdotes, quotes, or analogies to get the attention of the reader and connect the reader to the topic to be addressed. The second step is the narration where the writer briefly states the general idea of the argument or proves the thesis to the reader. The third step is the division in which the writer highlights the main points to make clarity of what is going to be discussed. The fourth step is the confirmation where the writer supports the arguments for the thesis and provides evidence that supports the arguments. The fifth step is the refutation in which the author outlines the opposing arguments. The final step is the conclusion where the author summarizes the argument and describes the urgency to tackle the issue addressed and gives the necessary actions to be taken (Vives 38).

The rhetorica ad herennium divides oral rhetoric into three styles with distinct features that make the styles efficient in oration. Intuitively, the grand style uses a sophisticated arrangement of a complex language. The style uses formal and expressive language that moves audiences emotionally. Secondly, the middle style employs simple language than the grand style. The language used is not overly formal, and it is meant to entertain the audience. Thirdly, the simple style uses a universal language that people use in their daily conversations. The language is mainly informal, and it is commonly used for giving instructions and explanations (Vives 38).

Works Cited

Revolvy LLC." Rhetorica Ad Herennium" on Revolvy.com." Trending Topics | Revolvy, www.revolvy.com/page/Rhetorica-ad-Herennium. Accessed 14 Nov. 2018.

Scott, Gary A. Plato's Socrates as an educator. State University of New York Press, 2000.

Taylor, A. E. Plato: The man and his works. 8th ed., Route ledge Library, 2012.

Vives, Juan L. De Ratione Dicendi. Translated by David Walker, Brill, 2017.

Wandy, Robert. The birth of rhetoric: Gorgias, Plato, and their Successors. Route ledge, 2005.