Barack Obama's Nobel Peace Prize Lecture

     In 2009, American President Barack Obama was given the honor of being the Nobel Peace Prize Recipient. He started his speech by addressing each of the different members of the audience. A majority of notable speakers do this in order to individually address their audience members in order to signify there importance. They also do this in order to display their humility. Humility was valued by Ancient orators. The President began by saying, “Your majesties, your royal highnesses, distinguished members of the Norwegian Nobel Committee, citizens of America, citizens of the world." Obama is expressing his gratitude to each of the mentioned individuals. Similarly, when Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.  and Nelson Mandela presented their lectures, they to greeted the committee with the same manner. Obama is displaying the rhetorical practice of imitatio. He imitates admired speakers in order to have the same powerful effects on his audience as they did. He mentions that when compared to the accomplishments of Dr. King and Nelson Mandela, his accomplishments are slim. This further contributes to his sense of humility before the audience. The subject matter of his speech doesn't necessarily reflect his individual accomplishments, but it talks about goals and ideals of which he believes the world should encompass. For example he says, "We do not have to live in an idealized world to reach for those ideals that will make it a better place." These words prove to be very meaningful. I believe that if I was just to read these words then they would still be extremely impactful. However, the way he pronounces each word, contributes immensely to the overall purpose of the phrase. This is an example of pronunciato of which is how an orator pronounces the individual parts of a word or phrase. He also is demonstrating the rhetorical term action of which represents the voice variation and delivery of the words within the speech. The passion of which Obama delivers his speech is in my opinion very stylistically appropriate. Demosthenes said that delivery is the most important part of oration. The words of the speech would still be meaningful even without Obamas stylistic interpretation, but since he is able to include his individual style within the speech it makes the speech even more effective. It is obvious that each word within the oration was carefully and precisely chosen. This also contributes to the overall effectiveness of the speech. He includes the fact that America was presently at that time at war while under his command. He states that it seems ironic because he is receiving an award for peace. He then goes on to say that the war is an effort to preserve peace and rid the act of terrorism among various nations. He asks the question, "How can peace be preserved". This example of a rhetorical question works to set up Obama's next topoi or theme and content to be presented. For the duration of the speech, within President Obama's peroratio or conclusion, he expresses his gratitude for the award while reviewing his ideas on how to efficiently combat the issue of war globally.

Nelson Mandela speech at Harvard

     To begin his speech, Nelson Mandela starts by addressing the crowd. He says, " Mr. President, members of the convocation, members of the university, distinguished guests, ladies and gentleman". Within most of his speeches, Mandela addresses the different members of the audience. It seems as if he does it in order to signify to the audience that he is honored at the fact that they are there to hear him speak. Within Mark Antony's funeral oration for Julius Caesar, he also addresses the different members of the crowd. Antony says, "Friends, Romans, country men, lend me your ears". Mandela seems to be alluding to this introduction within his own speech. In rhetoric, imitation is an exercise where a student of rhetoric must analyze and sometimes stylistically copy an orator of which they admire. When Nelson Mandela was a student, it can be inferred that Mandela enjoyed the writing of Shakespeare because he frequently alludes to it in his introductions.  After addressing the crowd, Mandela begins an anecdotal lead-in, signifying that he is going to recite a narrative introduction. He talks about a humorous personal story that involves his age and he gets the laughter, applause, and attention of the audience. It is apparent that the reason for this type of reaction was to get the audience in a receptive mood in order to prepare them for the process of oration. Mandela also adds another story about a previous experience where a woman questioned his intelligence over the phone and hung up on him. He includes this story in order to explain to the students that people will always have a certain view of a someone, but it's up to you to have an understanding and view of yourself. By implementing these stories it is understood that Mandela is demonstrating ethos or the appeal of the author to the audience. He also incorporates both the movendi and ducere  styles into his speech. This is seen through him using real life stories in order to teach as well as inspire his listeners. Mandela displays a rhythm within his speech that stays constant. This stylistic approach furthers the attentiveness of the audience to each word said by Mandela. This refers to the term pronunciato of which deals with the orators delivery and verbiage within the speech. Mandela adds that he is honored to delivering Harvard's commencement address. He brings up the names Winston Churchill and George Washington, because they to also had this honor. Bringing up these historic leaders  names, makes him seem both appreciative as well as humble. A priority of early rhetoricians was to appeal humble before their audience. It was a stylistic tool of which presented the orator in a positive and respectful way. He uses the key component of discourse  using  persuasion to influence and ignite the minds of the graduating class in an effort for them to take full advantage of the rest  of their lives. This oration was very influential as well as pleasing to listen to. With each word he seems to inspire and lead the audience to understanding. Personally, I think his speeches are very commendable and I admire his oratorical skills immensely.

Nelson Mandela Speech Wembley, London "When released from Prison"

     This speech by Mandela was given in Wembley, London shortly after he was released from Prison. The purpose of the speech is to inspire the audience and talk about how achievable racial harmony is for South Africa as well as the world. This speech uses the middle or movendi style in order to emotionally impact the audience. The audience seems to be excited about Nelson Mandela's release from being imprisoned for a 27 yea long extended period. Because of this the audience was very receptive, and they had applauded for Mandela for a very substantial and pleasing period of time. The applause lasted about five minutes. It seems as if the audience was well informed about Mandela's story involving his work to help abolish apartheid as well as his imprisonment because of it. Because of this , Nelson Mandela took full advantage of the audiences per capita rhetorical hour and focused on a topic outside of himself. He focused on the current state of South Africa and what exactly could be implemented in order to further achieve what he called "Racial Harmony". When Mandela began to speak he showed admiration of the crowd by smiling, but he tended to remain almost motionless. As the speech went on, he began to move more and more. At the duration of his speech, Mandela raised his fist in a way of which seemed to signify power and victory. This is similar to how the early rhetoricians started their speeches off with their head down and making little eye contact. This was in order to appeal to the crowd as being humble, and at the end of their speeches, they would become actively engaged with their audience. It was also a means to attract the attention of the audience and encourage rhetorical listening. At the start of the speech, Mandela addresses the people of the crowd. He says, "Masters of ceremonies, distinguished artists, members of the international reception committee ,dear friends of here and elsewhere in the world". This introduction alludes to Mark Antony's funeral oration for Julius Caesar of which started off, "Friends, Romans, Countrymen, lend me your ears. The effect of this seems to be to further draw in the listening of the crowd. A good rhetorician must be able to connect with their audience intellectually.  Later within the speech Mandela speaks about the health of his dear friend and fellow South African Apartheid politician  Oliver Tambo. At the time, he was very sick. I think that Mandela's allusion to Mark Antony's funeral oration is insinuating Oliver as a person of historical importance as was Julius Caesar. Mandela talks about how Tambo was the president of the African National Congress (ANC). For the rest of the speech Mandela talks about the role Tambo played in the fight against apartheid as president of the ANC. It is apparent that Mandela doesn't speak much about his personal story, but he mainly focuses on the progression of South Africa , as well as the contributions made by ANC president Oliver Tambo. This is so he can fully and effectively take advantage of the audiences time and positively effect their per capita rhetorical hour. Each word he uses demonstrates purpose.  It is almost ironic that he speaks with such conviction and fluidness despite having an unscripted speech. He uses the rhetorical practice of memoria which involves recalling discourse through memorizing it. Memoria suggests the orator's commitment to his words and discourse. Memoria is an elocutio or stylistic exercise implemented to enhance the delivery of a speech. Also, he uses pronuntiatio of which involves a specific way to recite each word of discourse. The famous orator Demosthenes said answered when  asked what is the most important part of rhetoric, "Delivery, Delivery, Delivery". By memorizing his speech, Mandela clearly shows his delivery and style.
     Overall, the speech is a testament to the hardship faced by South Africa and the progress the nation was making in order to better it's citizenship and the goal of reaching equality. Mandela's discourse was vey influential and inspiring.

Martin Luther King Nobel Prize Acceptance Speech

     Martin Luther King's Nobel Peace Prize acceptance speech was given on December 10, 1964. The speech is epideictic because it is ceremonial. Like many great speakers, in his introduction he alludes to Mark Antony's funeral oration for Julius Caesar. He begins saying, "Your majesty, your royal highness, Mr. President, excellences, ladies and gentlemen". He is demonstrating the rhetorical term imitation or imitation. Orators often imitate past rhetoricians in order to pay homage and display their admiration towards past ancient orators. Within the introduction Dr. King omits the use of conjunctions between each person or group of people that he recognizes. This is an example of Asyndeton It signifies the value of each of the individuals by recognizing them as solely important. Instead of just listing people he takes a brief pause between each name in order to show his gratitude for their attendance. He talks about how he accepts the award. However he then acknowledges that though he as an African American accepts an award regarding peace, there are still 22 million Black Americans of which aren't able to live peacefully. The speech begins to demonstrate the movendi or middle style. He now is trying to inspire blacks within the civil rights movement. He starts to change the focus of his speech to being strictly about him to being about equality within black America. He alludes to the Birmingham march of which black participants were faced with fire hoses, police brutality, and attack dogs. By presenting this information he is informing the audience of the harsh reality of racial injustice in order to make the audience attentive and get them in a receptive mood. Dr. King goes to say, " I question why this award goes to a movement dealing with the black social structure and to a movement that has not yet reached the diverted peace of which the Nobel Peace Prize entails". Dr. King is presenting the audience with a rhetorical question. It is not necessarily meant to be answered but to be pondered upon. He says that the award furthers his belief that nonviolence is the answer in regards to various issues especially discrimination. Dr. King is also exercising deliberative rhetoric because he is trying to persuade the people in as well as outside of the audience that humanity is most progressive when it values equality. He goes to say, "I refuse to believe that man is bound to the starless image of racism". He uses the metaphor to equate racism with darkness. He uses the word "we" numerous times at the beginning of sequential phrases in order to express his unified view of humanity. This demonstrates the Rhetorical term of Anaphora, of which stresses the importance of a word within successive clauses. He ends his speech by suggesting that the prize is more than an honor to him but it also serves as the peace that is to come within America.

"I am Prepared to die Nelson Mandela"

     Within Nelson Mandela's speech entitled " I am Prepared to die", Mandela speaks aggressively on the evils of apartheid. This speech was given while Mandela was on trial. He firmly states that if he were to die  fighting to abolish apartheid, then his death would be justified. He starts his speech by listing a number of demands of the African people. He says, "As Africans we want better wage, we want work of which we are capable of and not what the government deems us capable of, we want a share in the whole of South Africa, We, above all want equal political rights. Mandela is using the anaphora figure of speech by inserting the word "we" at the start of each phrase. This is significant because it suggests unity between the black South Africans. Mandela is also using the figure of speech Asyndeton of which portrays style by eliminating conjunctions. He incorporates this figure of speech not to list a group of various demands,  but to individually express demands that in his opinion were necessary to be adhered to. Not connecting these demands with conjunctions suggests the importance of each demand as individually stated. The style of which these demands are delivered reflects Mandela's stern and authoritative tone. He speaks with a cadence and rhythm without interruption and keeps his voice low for the majority of the speeches duration. His rhythmic and cadence structure of voice demonstrates the rhetorical term actio of which in this case specifically describes his voice variations. He seems to do this in order to acquire the full attention of the audience. He makes it so they must be  a receptive  audience in order to fully understand what exactly he is saying. His purpose of the speech is not to show his willingness to fight and die  for the abolition of injustices within  apartheid but to instill the passion in others to be willing to do the same. For this he uses the Middle style or movendi style in order to move his audience emotionally. The speech is of the epideictic form of rhetoric which means that the oratory is used to inspire the audience. He is also forensically defending himself though he wants his speech to be more a testament to the current state of evils within the  South African practice of Apartheid. Within the speech, Mandela says that he doesn't necessarily want his words to reflect his individual trial only, but he wants it to reflect the issue of abolishing apartheid. He goes on to say that this issue is bigger than himself so he is not entirely  forensically defending himself in court but he is standing up for justice and equality for all people.

Mandela Speech after being elected President

     Like many of  Nelson Mandela's post  imprisonment speeches, the crowd he addressed after his election seemed very engaged and receptive. The speech was given on May 5, 1994. Mandela starts the speech off by saying, " It is the time for healing wounds". This metaphor compares South Africa to a wound and signifies that Mandela himself is prepared to help lead  in the rebuilding process of the  nation. Within the speech keeps reminding the audience that it is now time to rise again. He also talks about how possible it is because of the fact that the seemingly unthinkable has happened and he has become South Africa's first black president. Also he talks about the progression of South Africa as a whole. In each point he demonstrates the classical use of logos or logical implementation of the spoken word. This enhances his power of presentation (classically referred to as Dunamis). The presentation of rhetoric is important in that it  contributes to the effectiveness of the speech as a whole. Aristotle defines Rhetoric as, " The faculty of observing, in any given case, the available means of persuasion." Likewise, Mandela's speech is persuading the South African citizens the Nation of South Africa will become a  place that reflects the people as well as standing up for human justice. This speech is implemented to educate South Africans on legislation and ideas he wishes to implement during his presidency. The strategy of the speech was to display a plan for his next few years in office. Strategy is often used for planning subject matter within the speeches. Orators must strategize when speaking in order to avoid bombast, and empty talk. To fully take advantage of the audiences time it is crucial that an orator premeditates and thinks on his topics. This goes along with the rhetorical term inventio which means to research. Mandela tends to sound like he knows what he must say and that is seen through precision and use of appropriate verbiage and diction. The author's appeal or ethos is shown in his ability to speak with clarity and his understanding of the topic. The type of Rhetoric used by Mandela is epideictic because it is ceremonial and demonstrates how Mandela will handle the next few years of when he is in office. Mandela gives his goals of his next few years in office and he says, "we" commit ourselves to  the construction of a complete, just and lasting peace". With this statement, he is morally connecting with his audience, of which is an effective tool of an orator. This displays understanding as well as the rhetorical ability to relate with an audience.  In this statement Mandela uses the word "WE" to show that in his term he will implement the wants and needs of what's best for the people in order to keep the South Africans at peace. The notion of Unity is portrayed within this statement. As in most of his statements, Mandela uses the word "we" to signify South African as an entire body instead of separate individuals. He says, "We must therefore act together as a united people for national reconciliation, for nation building, for the birth of a new world. The sun shall never set on so glorious a human achievement." The phrase begins with the rhetorical term Asyndeton of which is the  grouping of individual phrases with the omission of conjunctions. This makes the individual phrases seem as if they are one distinct idea within multiple points. After this he states that the current state of South Africa is a glorious achievement. In my opinion the wording of this phrase is very stylistically and appropriately recited. To end his speech, Mandela says, "Let freedom Reign." The words evoke power and thunderous applause. Personally, this is one of my favorite speeches by Mandela and it makes me feel as if his words suggest unity within all humanity. It was so stirringly emotional that I too found myself adding to the applause. That is the effect Demosthenes preached about when he talked about the importance of delivery.