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Irony
Definition of Logos
Logos, along with ethos and pathos, is one of the three "modes of persuasion" in rhetoric (the art of effective speaking or writing). Logos is an argument that appeals to... read full definition
Logos, along with ethos and pathos, is one of the three "modes of persuasion" in rhetoric (the art of effective speaking or writing). Logos is... read full definition
Logos, along with ethos and pathos, is one of the three "modes of persuasion" in rhetoric (the art of effective... read full definition
Book I: Canto IX
Explanation and Analysis—Despair's Argument:
Despair utilizes logos in his argument in favor of suicide in a deeply ironic scene. Redcross rushes into Despair’s cave in order to defeat the monster who has successfully convinced a number of knights to kill themselves. However, Redcross soon finds himself falling for the logical, but ultimately malevolent, argument offered by Despair, who states:
The lenger life, I wote the greater sin,
The greater sin, the greater punishment:
All those great battels, which thou boasts to win,
Through strife, and bloud-shed, and auengement,
Now praysd, hereafter deare thou shalt repent:
For life must life, and bloud must bloud repay.
Is not enough thy euill life forespent?
For he, that once hath missed the right way,
The further he doth goe, the further he doth stray.
Related Themes:
Book II: Canto VII
Explanation and Analysis—The Value of Money:
The monstrous demigod Mammon, who represents wealth and greed, uses logos in his debate with Guyon about the value of wealth. When Guyon insists that he isn’t interested in gaining riches as he believes that a true knight needs nothing but a sword and shield, Mammon recognizes a weak spot in his argument, stating:
Unlock with LitCharts A+Vaine glorious Elfe (said he) doest not thou weet,
That money can thy wantes at will supply?
Sheilds, steeds, and armes, & all things for thee meet
It can puruay in twinckling of an eye;
And crownes and kingdomes to thee multiply.
Do not I kings create, throw the crowne
Sometimes to him, that low in dust doth ly?
And him that raignd, into his rowme thrust downe,
And whom I lust, do heape with glory and renowne?
Related Themes:
