English Literature And Theory This blog contains the explanation of various critical theories that provide a new insight to view literature and interpretation of various literary texts.

"The Qualities of the Prince" is an extract from "The Prince (1513)" written by a 16th century political scientist, writer, historian and military expert Nicollo Machiavelli. The extract is a practical guide for ruling. This is equally influential today as it was in Machiavelli's time. Like it's message(advice), the text is brilliant in use of rhetorical strategies. Machiavelli, a powerful writer was three rhetorical strategies which I will contend to discuss in following paragraphs.

The first and the most beautiful strategy of Machiavelli is "Announcement of his primary point". In this writing, he usually refers to the historical account to support his idea; then he explains why his idea is the best one by appealing to both common sense and historical experience. For an instance: Machiavelli claims that a prince or any other men expert at military matters can win the state and the state authority. To support this idea, he refers to Francesco Sforza, who became Duke of Milan for being expert in military affairs. Similarly Machiavelli says that the man who busies himself during peace time in physical training and mental gymnastic is likely to win wars. To support this Machiavelli presents historical evidences that Alexander-The Great, Caesar and Scipio were successful in different wars by mind during peace time. In some cases, in which Machiavelli suspects that reader will not share his views whole-heartedly. He suggests an alternate argument and explains why it is wrong. This is a very forceful way of Machiavelli in presenting his ideas. He gives an a presenting his ideas. He gives an appearance of fairness and thoroughness in his presentation.

Another notable rhetorical device Machiavelli applies in his writing is discussion of opposites including both sides of an issue. From the very beginning, he makes number of oppositions, the art of a war and the art of life, generosity and miserliness, liberty and stinginess, the fox and the lion and so on. This method is very simple in itself but is forceful and important because it employs one of the basic techniques of rhetoric- the topic of comparison.

One of the three rhetorical devices Machiavelli uses in " The Qualities of the Prince " is aphorism. The aphorism is a saying which has been accepted as truth. Machiavelli tells us to be feared is much safer than to be loved; any men who tries to do good all the time is bound to come to ruin among the great number who are not good. Such definite statement has several important qualities. One is that they are pithy- they seem to say a great message in a few words. Another quality is that they appear to contain great deal of wisdom. Machiavelli makes ample use of such statements with certainty and spontaneity that help the audience be convinced in his principles. His statements are so powerful that we accept them readily without being skeptical in his idea.

In a nutshell, Machiavelli's use of language has appearance of truth that is most likely to be accepted by readers because of expert fusion of afore stated three rhetorical devices- Announcement of Primary Point, Discussion of Opposites and The Use of Aphorisms. These rhetorical devices make Machiavelli's expression lucid (clear), plain and spontaneous and convincing as well as reliable and effective.

"The Origin of Civil Society" is an extract from "The Social Contract (1762)". This extract is as significant in rhetorical strategies as in its message. Rousseau, a man of letters uses wide range of rhetorical devices to make his argument influential and persuasive. Of rhetorical devices analogy, analysis, topic of testimony, interrogation and paradox are most significant.

The most impressive technique Rousseau has used in it's master piece "The Origin of Civil Society" is that of "analogy". Analogy is a comparison between two objects and ideas having similar characteristics and nature. His comparison of family with the state is most remarkable in which Rousseau looks for the similarities between two - such as the children as the people and father as the head of the state. Such analogy is enlightening and easily convincing to the readers.

In addition to that, another key rhetorical device Rousseau has used in the essay is "analysis". Rousseau's analysis is forcible and convincing because it is very much logical. He proposes a statement which seems, on the surface to reassemble: then he analyzes part by part until he proves to the reader that either it is to be accepted or rejected. He is meticulous in the application of logic. In his section "Of Slavery" he proves that slavery is not justifiable and legitimate on any ground, including the widely held ground are the prisoners of war legitimately made into slave because they owe their lives to the winner. Use of such analysis makes Rousseau's argument irrefutable.

In the essay, while Rousseau provide analysis he occasionally stops to provide "definition." He defines the terms and circumstances or the concepts in the simplest possible way so that his intention of expression is easy to catch (understand). It is usually during the process of definition that Rousseau clarifies his point so that truth can be easily identified. This technique is not only simple and effective but also significant and powerful to us (readers) to examine his point of argument.

Another effective and powerful rhetorical device Rousseau brings into use in "The Origin of Civil Society" is the reference to other authorities. In the domain of writing the reference to the other is called "the topic of testimony". In order to present his argument convincingly, Rousseau refers to a few authorities specifically Hugo Grotius who was the Dutch legal authority and thomas Hobbes who was English social philosopher. They are most prominent in the selection and they provide basic points that are indispensable for the argument. The rhetorical device is easy for us to use and highly affective for arguing prepositions.

Similarly, Rousseau's writing is masked with clarity due to the use of "interrogation". In the very first paragraph, he first presents a thesis statement and then puts a question. e.g Man s born free, and everywhere he is in chains. Many a men believes himself to be masters of others who is no less than they, a slave. How did this change take place? I do not know what can make it legitimate? This technique of putting services question and then trying to answer them is quite effective because the clarity of question and answer structure is immediately apparent to readers. Rousseau has a very lawful balance of questions and answer which helps us to understand his point without any confusion but with the highest degree of accuracy and clarity.

The next significant rhetorical device that Rousseau has applied in the text is "paradox". paradox is a rhetorical device that is designed to draw the attentions of readers and to promote serious thought. Rousseau's skill n applying paradox is unique in itself and makes his argument strong. It is so strong that we can not help complaining with Rousseau's seriousness in finding out the reasons. Besides application of paradox is most compelling and appealing for attention as well as reason of readers which sustains considerable degree of attention to the author's argument. This technique help Rousseau make his writing not only effective but also appealing.

Wrapping up, Rousseau most thoughtful and thought provoking essay, "The Origin of Civil Society" is probably one of the best written texts regarding the application of variety of rhetorical tools. The tools are easily noticeable in his writing and has been used so carefully that make the text beautiful in expression and strong in argument. Rousseau can be said a master of rhetorical device who is unrivaled, unequaled by writers of his time.