Jose Madrigal

Rhetorical Précis

Section 101

In paragraphs eight through twelve of "Encomium of Helen" by Gorgias, Gorgias illustrates the reality-producing power of discourse. To do this, he uses Helen of Troy as his subject. In Athenian culture, Helen was the most villainized person. However, by analyzing discourse, Gorgias attempts to unvillainize Helen by arguing that discourse, not Helen herself, is the one to be blamed for "her" actions.

For instance, in paragraph eleven, Gorgias notes that people do not have "memory concerning all things past, and awareness of all things present, and foreknowledge of all things to come." If people did possess all of this knowledge, they would have access to an unmediated truth about the world. However, since they do not, discourse mediates knowledge concerning the world. The discourse that mediates peoples' opinions of Helen, Gorgias argues, is one that portrays her in a negative light. This prevailing discourse about her ignores the fact that discourse itself persuaded Helen to go with Paris.

Gorgias, in his new discourse that he brings forward, argues that discourse acts as a persuader. In paragraph ten, he writes, "By means of words, inspired incantations serve as bringers-on of pleasure and takers-off of pain. For the incantation's power, communicating with the soul's opinion, enchants and persuades and changes it, by trickery." In this quotation, Gorgias compares discourse to an incantation, a series of words said as a magic spell or charm. He notes that discourse can induce corporeal sensations such as pleasure and pain, as well as change someone's mind.

He illustrates this point further in paragraph twelve when he writes, "Accordingly what cause hinders Helen ... praise-hymn came ... similarly would ... not being young ... just as if ... means of forcing ... force was abducted." Similar to an incantation, Gorgias writes this section so that the words in between the ellipses are separated. While reading or saying this quotation aloud, the phrases are in staccato, making it seem as if Gorgias is bringing forth his own version of an incantation. In his incantation, he implies that Helen was persuaded by force, and that her own force--free will--was abducted.

This new discourse created by Gorgias is significant not only because it unvillainizes Helen. More importantly, it reveals the power of discourse to create new realities. Gorgias reveals this power by analyzing discourse; his discourse is an analysis of discourse itself. He utilizes the power of discourse not only to unvillainize Helen, but to reveal discourse's productive power. Thus, although Helen is the subject of the text, she is used as an example as to how discourse can be put to use.