How does Sinon deceive the Trojans in lines 57-144 of Virgil's Aeneid? An exercise in practical criticism.

The portion of Book II of the Aeneid beginning at quest for 57 and ending at line 194, in which Sinon convinces the Trojans that the arboriform cavalry should be brought inside their walls, is a masterful exhibit of deceit. We shall see that Sinons skill consists in constructing a story that is glib in its portrayal of human psychology, appealing to Trojan prejudices, and inbuilt of pathos, and telling it in a way that is suspenseful, flattering to his audience, and nice and forceful in language. His general method is to involve and bury the Trojans in his tale to such an extent that any common cynicism is suppressed. The episode can be divided into two halves. In the first half, Sinon leads the Trojans through a series of responses - first mockery, because curiosity, then kindness, then pity - in an effort to attain their trust. In the second half, Sinon uses this trust to convince them that the Trojan cater should be brought inside their walls. In this essay, I shall focus on the first half of the episode (lines 57-144) and trace the narrative development of Sinon, elucidating its efficacy, and commenting on notable language as it occurs. Sinon begins his tale with sham despair: his first word is Heu and using anaphora of quae he lends his lamentation rhetorical force. Moreoever, the extended vowel sounds (quae me aequora), elision and preponderantly spondaic scansion convey a mournful tone. A light up dog implies the inferiority of the asker, and so by phrasing his laments as rhetorical questions, Sinon asserts his helplessness in the face of fate and the Trojans. Significantly, Sinon gives minute veritable information in his opening words, only mentioning that he was unwelcome among the Greeks (neque apud Danaos) - i.e. he gives the Greek-hating Trojans what... If you want to get a abundant essay, monastic order it on our website: BestEssayCheap.com

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