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Irony
Definition of Logos
Logos, along with ethos and pathos, is one of the three "modes of persuasion" in rhetoric (the art of effective speaking or writing). Logos is an argument that appeals to... read full definition
Logos, along with ethos and pathos, is one of the three "modes of persuasion" in rhetoric (the art of effective speaking or writing). Logos is... read full definition
Logos, along with ethos and pathos, is one of the three "modes of persuasion" in rhetoric (the art of effective... read full definition
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Explanation and Analysis—Creon's Logic:
Creon makes use of logos, or logic and rationality, when attempting to persuade Oedipus that he did not act treacherously:
Not if you see things calmly, rationally,
as I do. Look at it this way first:
who in his right mind would rather rule
and live in anxiety than sleep in peace?
Particularly if he enjoys the same authority.
Not I, I’m not the man to yearn for kingship,
not with a king’s power in my hands. Who would?
Oedipus, believing Tiresias to be a liar and thus Creon to be a traitor, assumes Creon is conspiring against him for the throne. Creon makes use of logos in an attempt to persuade Oedipus of the truth.
Sophocles's formal style of writing elevates the use of logos while juxtaposing the level-headed Creon against the raging Oedipus. In fact, Oedipus Rex reads like a Socratic dialogue in the moments where Creon is arguing with logos against the stubborn Oedipus, who relies on ethos, or his authority as king. Creon's use of logic when disagreeing with Oedipus further illustrates the notion that Oedipus is "blind." After all, it was Oedipus's intelligence that enabled him to solve the riddle of the Sphinx, but now Oedipus argues with ethos against the side of logical reasoning. Furthermore, Oedipus does not fully resolve his argument with Creon until the end of the play, when Oedipus becomes aware of his tragic fate. Oedipus appears particularly ignorant due to Sophocles's use of logos here, revealing the extent to which pride has blinded Oedipus's intelligence.
Related Themes:
