Rhetorical Agency Vs Parrhesia
Rhetorical agency and parrhesia are both based on similar concepts and therefore have many comparable features. Both rhetorical agency and parrhesia involve a moral duty not only to the speaker themselves, but also to the audience. They can be seen in several forms of media, including speeches, letters, and even music. Lastly, both are aimed at creating change or changing an opinion that their audience holds. Despite all these similarities, there are some distinct differences between the two concepts. The main difference is how they choose to address their audience. As seen in the Foucault reading, parrhesia is described to work by "the parrhesiastes acts on other people’s mind by showing them as directly as possible what he actually believes"
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Campbell's definition of agency was "Whatever else it may be, rhetorical agency refers to the capacity to act, that is, to have the competence to speak or write in such a way that will be recognized or heeded by others in one’s community" (3). Watson was able to give a persuasive speech that was overall well received by her audience and her community. Her capacity to act and deliver this speech while holding her position of power was able to accurately show her ability to utilize rhetorical agency. As stated in the Campbell reading "Agency: Promiscuous and Protean" as discussed during our lecture on Tuesday 4/9, there are 5 main aspects that contribute to rhetorical agency. These five components are: communal and participatory, invented by the speaker, emerging in artistry, effected through form, and open to reversal. Emma Watson's speech demonstrated all of these aspects and is therefore a good example of modern-day agency. To begin, Watson began her speech with a call to action stating, "We want to end gender inequality-- and to do that we need everyone to be involved." This is a direct example of the first part of the agency; she invites everyone in the audience to be a part of something greater than themselves and direct them to participate and get involved with this communal value. She continues to demonstrate this agency by delivering a speech
Campbell's definition of agency was "Whatever else it may be, rhetorical agency refers to the capacity to act, that is, to have the competence to speak or write in such a way that will be recognized or heeded by others in one’s community" (3). Watson was able to give a persuasive speech that was overall well received by her audience and her community. Her capacity to act and deliver this speech while holding her position of power was able to accurately show her ability to utilize rhetorical agency. As stated in the Campbell reading "Agency: Promiscuous and Protean" as discussed during our lecture on Tuesday 4/9, there are 5 main aspects that contribute to rhetorical agency. These five components are: communal and participatory, invented by the speaker, emerging in artistry, effected through form, and open to reversal. Emma Watson's speech demonstrated all of these aspects and is therefore a good example of modern-day agency. To begin, Watson began her speech with a call to action stating, "We want to end gender inequality-- and to do that we need everyone to be involved." This is a direct example of the first part of the agency; she invites everyone in the audience to be a part of something greater than themselves and direct them to participate and get involved with this communal value. She continues to demonstrate this agency by delivering a speech