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Orpheus Speech Persuasive Essay

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Orpheus uses various persuasive devices in his speech to convince Pluto and Proserpina to release his beloved, Eurydice, from the Underworld. Although logic is a part of this, Orpheus arguably emphasizes various literary devices, mythological characters, and strategic uses of meter to augment his speech even more. He starts by stating his reason for entering the Underworld, then personifies love and relates it to another myth involving his audience; he then begs for Pluto to release Eurydice, as she will die anyway. This last point, while a strong argument, is arguably not why Orpheus' speech is so convincing. The pictures he paints with his words and vivid examples and the very intonation of his voice are what play the main role in influencing

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