Rhetorical Analysis Of George Bernard's Play 'The Inquisitor'

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George Bernard’s presented character, “The Inquisitor” in his play “Saint Joan” aims to defend his depiction of Joan of Arc : heresy. Through his speech, he is able to justify his reasons as to why the court should blame Joan of Arc for heresy. The presence of ethos, pathos and logos in his speech allows him to better argue his point and reveals a strongly enough claim that attracts the church court. The underlying effects of these rhetorical strategies serve as a vital tool in helping “the inquisitor” argue his point through deductive reasoning. Moreover, through his use of rhetorical devices, he is intended to appeal his beliefs to the audience on Joan of Arc. His cogent delivery is a tactical piece that strengthens his argument. In The …show more content…
His usage of this rhetorical device allows for various emotional feelings throughout the speech which in return helps the jury make a definitive decision in favor of his goal. In a setting where the church is a big component of the event, The Inquisitor knows that the jury is opposed to evil things, so his plan is to depict Joan of Arc as an evil thing. His argument has rendered the jury an evil portrait of Joan of Arc which is what he intends to do. Furthermore, in line 31 he leaps into talking about what the aftermath that heresy has if it was present, “the most tender-hearted among you...would clamour against the mercy of the church”. His main point in heresy being present is the danger that it serves in the girls that are living. He frightens the audience, stating that it will be difficult to contrast between a religious girl and an evil girl. He further explains in line 50, “this girl is not one of those whose hard features are the sign of hard hearts, and whose brazen looks level demeanor condemn them before they are occurred…” He alerts his audience that Joan of Arc is not the type of girl that should be present in their society, but instead religious ones. In addition, The Inquisitor states in lines 58, “you will see a diabolical pride and a natural humility seated side by side in the selfsame soul”. His use of paradox enables his audience to understand the fact that even though Joan of Arc has her bright and sweet side, there’s more to her character beneath her physical looks. He simply states that the evilness that underlies beneath her physical attribution is what solely identifies

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