I chose the youtube clip, In the Words of Satan, by the Arrows Band to analyze according to the theorists that we have been introduced to in our class discussions. I made this choice because it presented a significant series of controversial issues that could either refute or coincide with ideas conveyed by Plato, Aristotle and Longinus.
One of the major identifiable elements of the clip is rhetoric or the art of persuasion. It plays a significant role in the messages being conveyed. Instinctively we can conclude that this clip would go against the beliefs of Plato who believes that philosophy should be the sole means to differentiate between right or wrong. If the clip uses rhetoric to influence or exemplify issues as wrong or right then it would contradict the theories of Plato.
The clip also utilizes Aristotelian devices or strategies to appeal to and persuade the audience/viewers. The lyrics to the song employ logos to appeal to logic. The controversial issues that are raised (and the manipulation of words) raise questions in your mind. The words allow for a psychological processing of what is being said. Do these things make sense? Given this information, could this be in fact what is taking place subconsciously or psychologically within us?
The clip also employs pathos which appeals to emotion. The images, illustrations and music work collectively to elicit a certain mood or emotion. What emotion it evokes will be determined by the viewer. But will ultimately convey a particular message. For example, the pictures of the underdeveloped, nonviable fetus in the palm of someone’s hand; the picture of drugs, tears, Ku Klux Klan, malnourished child, etc. All these images are associated with a certain idea, concept or emotion.
The style of the clip correlates to the five stages of speech preparation. The arrangement of the clip begins with both ethos and pathos devices, state the issues through the lyrics and pose an argument by presenting the counteractions. It concludes by using ethos and pathos.
The clip is “dressed up” so that the argument is not directly stated. But through a series of relatable human qualities, experiences and recognizable actions, one can assume the metaphorical context in which the creator is trying to convey. The memory is affected by all of the visuals, presentations and what each image represents or behavior it is associated with. To me this type of speech was epideictic. It raised issues concerning the present. However, it did utilize forensic speech by presenting issues from the past that led up to the current condition. The clip seemed to fall under the tragic category for me as it had a cathartic quality to it and focused on ideas rather than a character. But it also was a representation of a mimetic form of posing as the devil. It also was tragic because of the spectacles and song form.
Another evaluation that can be made is between ideas in the clip and concepts brought forth by Longinus. Longinus mentioned on page 142 of the Norton Anthology about banking off a great philosophy or critic from the past. He says:
“Surely Stesichorus and archilochus earned the name before him. So, more than any, did Plato, who diverted to himself countless rills from the Homeric spring. (If Ammonius had not selected and written up detailed examples of this, I might have had to prove the point myself.)”
This idea of utilizing the work of others to validate your own is present in the clip. A diagram with the evolution of monkeys/apes is shown to represent that theory of man to solidify the argument, aid in persuasion by appealing to logic (logos).
Longinus also discusses amplification as an organizational method in sublimity. He says:
You wheel up one impressive unit after another to give a series of increasing importance […] it may be produced by commonplaces, by exaggeration or intensification of facts or arguments, or by a build-up of action or emotion. (Norton; 141)”
Work Cited
Leitch, Vincent B. The Norton anthology of theory and criticism. New York: W.W. Norton, 2010.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lYDCMg4d7ks&feature=youtube_gdata
(IN THE WORDS OF SATAN)
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