Vir inculpatus
Attemptans admonere
Nunc necatus est.
Sunday, April 25, 2010
Sunday, April 11, 2010
Sinon's Story
What elements of Sinon's story are particularly effective on the Trojans?
When the Trojans first encounter Sinon, he is miserable, beaten up, and in very poor condition. Anyone with a heart would feel sympathy for him, and spite toward the mistreater.The fact that even though Sinon is a Greek, he is treated so wretchedly, plays on the Trojans' already strong hatred for the Greeks. Furthermore, Sinon highlights Odysseus as one of the major villains, who is infamous for being very deceptive and clever. He also blames Calchas, Odysseus's accomplice, for interpreting Apollo's oracle in that Sinon must be sacrificed. By providing support for Odysseus's deceptive reputation, the Trojan's feel pity for Sinon and do not question his presence. At this point, Sinon has the Trojans in the palm of his hand, with them believing his story, especially the part of him escaping his sacrifice.
The tactic of Sinon, to include bits of truth into his larger, overall lie, makes his story very believable to the Trojans. For example, he claims that the reason the Greeks could not sail home on previous attempts were due to the stormy seas and fierce winds: Sinon convinces the Trojans, "Several times the Greeks, wearied by so long a war, wanted to abandon it, leave Troyland, and somehow effect a retreat...But each time as they were starting tempestuous seas checked them and contrary winds filled them with alarm" (54).
When the Trojans first encounter Sinon, he is miserable, beaten up, and in very poor condition. Anyone with a heart would feel sympathy for him, and spite toward the mistreater.The fact that even though Sinon is a Greek, he is treated so wretchedly, plays on the Trojans' already strong hatred for the Greeks. Furthermore, Sinon highlights Odysseus as one of the major villains, who is infamous for being very deceptive and clever. He also blames Calchas, Odysseus's accomplice, for interpreting Apollo's oracle in that Sinon must be sacrificed. By providing support for Odysseus's deceptive reputation, the Trojan's feel pity for Sinon and do not question his presence. At this point, Sinon has the Trojans in the palm of his hand, with them believing his story, especially the part of him escaping his sacrifice.
The tactic of Sinon, to include bits of truth into his larger, overall lie, makes his story very believable to the Trojans. For example, he claims that the reason the Greeks could not sail home on previous attempts were due to the stormy seas and fierce winds: Sinon convinces the Trojans, "Several times the Greeks, wearied by so long a war, wanted to abandon it, leave Troyland, and somehow effect a retreat...But each time as they were starting tempestuous seas checked them and contrary winds filled them with alarm" (54).
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