Analysis #1
Tuesday, February 15, 2011

The Inspiring Awe of Sublimity

          Rhetoric coupled with sublimity meshes to form a loving family as seen in the romantic musical Sound of Music. The musical includes philosophies of Gorgias, Plato, Aristotle, and Longinus thereby compiling a moment of awe.

          In the study of Ancient Greece, the art of persuasion versus the act of sublimity had a separation point. Rhetoric allows the human factor of controllability whereas sublimity denotes a blending of amazement and wonders created by invincible power and force to sweep through like a whirlwind.

          The backdrop for Gorgias’s Encomium of Helen was his method of persuasion through performance. In the Sound of Music such persuasion can be seen when Maria approaches Captain Von Trapp requesting an allowance of time for play to be mingled with discipline. Merely asking him in a respectful manner did not work, so she proceeded to compile performances necessary to obtain her wishes. Aristotle’s method of categorization with the use of logical differentiation helped when she presented some straightforward propositions regarding this matter. Maria was not afraid to use eunoia; sophrosyne; or arêtes to obtain the enthymeme of acquisition.  Each performance was a little different, therein using Longinus’ five sources of sublimity:  conception of great thoughts; strong and inspired emotion; diversified usage of certain kinds of figures; noble diction; and finally, word arrangement in a dignified and elevated manner. Plato viewed poetry as a mimēsis (an imitation or representation) of nature, merely a copy of a copy. He believed that an ideal citizen was just, rational, and virtuous and in his Republic specified that morality is the major cause of happiness. In the Sound of Music these attributes were maintained throughout their lives and in the eventual relationship of Captain Von Trapp and Maria. A virtuous lifestyle was that of the Von Trapp family. Maria loved nature and its beauty and her songs included these moments. She related nature in her nurturing of the children and made clothes for them to fit the occasion which defined the setting.

          Throughout the Sound of Music echoes of the Encomium of Helen can be heard as Gorgias stated that Helen’s actions could be related to: historical events; physical overwhelming; love; or persuasive speech. In like manner, Maria’s life imitated these same issues in a breathtaking propriety unlike Helen of Troy. At least the ethics of Plato were upheld by virtuous conduct. Also, he required that all literature should teach goodness and grace and thus the inception of ancient quarrels betwixt philosophy and poetry. The Sound of Music encompasses these requirements and eventually reaps the harvest of sublimity as taught by Longinus.

          This romantic love story is not just of two people, but of an entire prominent household who suffers at the hand of others yet continues to clasp heart and hands to gain their goal—happiness!  Aristotle stated that in order to understand rhetoric, one must understand desire and emotions. This movie openly displays desires and emotions meshing all content and creating a sublime performance.

Word Count: 505

                        Helen of Troy

Works Cited

Leitch, Vincent B., ed. The Norton Anthology of Theory and Criticism,

          New York: W. W. Norton and Company, 2010. Print.

Gabrich 68. Sound of Music. YouTube.com. YouTube. 14 December 2006.

          Web. 15 February 2011.