Saint Joan: Ethos 1 key example

Definition of Ethos

Ethos, along with logos and pathos, is one of the three "modes of persuasion" in rhetoric (the art of effective speaking or writing). Ethos is an argument that appeals to... read full definition
Ethos, along with logos and pathos, is one of the three "modes of persuasion" in rhetoric (the art of effective speaking or writing). Ethos is... read full definition
Ethos, along with logos and pathos, is one of the three "modes of persuasion" in rhetoric (the art of effective... read full definition
Scene 1
Explanation and Analysis—Earnest Joan:

Joan repeatedly demonstrates herself to be naively earnest, accidentally cultivating her ethos as a good leader by using unrealistically optimistic logos. One instance occurs in Scene 1, when Joan argues in favor of French nationalism:

JOAN. I do not understand that a bit. We are all subject to the King of Heaven; and He gave us our countries and our languages, and meant us to keep to them. If it were not so it would be murder to kill an Englishman in battle; and you, squire, would be in great danger of hell fire. You must not think about your duty to your feudal lord, but about your duty to God.

POULENGEY. It’s no use, Robert: she can choke you like that every time.