Socrates Rhetorical Analysis

Socrates applies a rhetoric called elenchus that counters the popular Sophist rhetoric of the time. Elenchus introduces a method of debate based on utilizing questions and answers that inspire analytical thinking and tests the credibility of the opponent’s prior dialogue. In short, Socrates continuously “investigate[s] the question” (Line 348a). Socrates himself never explicitly states his opinion, but simply restates the declarations of the three interlocutors: Cephalus, Polymarchus, and Thrasymarchus. Socrates largely bases his arguments on his ability to accurately recall statements from earlier in the conversation. In this way, Socrates connects dialogue to form a bigger picture and refutes his opponents’ weak platform. Additionally, through elenchus, Socrates directs the flow of the conversation, thus allowing Socrates to gain the upper hand. …show more content…
Every statement is closely analyzed. For example, when speaking to Polymarchus, Socrates asks “…what is justice useful for getting and using in peacetime? Contracts, Socrates. And by contracts do you mean partnerships, or what? I mean partnerships.” (Line 333a). Analogies are a prominent literary device used within Socrates’ debates to get a clear definition of the other debater’s meaning. Socrates forms analogies with medicine, horsemanship, building, and various other crafts. For example, when Socrates speaks to Polymarchus, he compares horsemanship to justice through his elenchus rhetoric; “…horsemen make people unhorsmanlike through horsemanship? No. Well, then can those who are just make people unjust though justice?” (Line 335c). Through analogies, Socrates relates his arguments to real life