Comparison of the Lincoln's "Gettysburg Address" and Pericles "Funeral Oration"

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Sabrina Simer

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After reading both speeches I found that the purpose of Pericles's speech was to honor the ancestors, the survivors, the ones who died for the country, and their families. It was also to speak of the goodness of Athens and reiterate how rewarding having a democracy is. The purpose of Lincoln's speech was very similar. It was to dedicate a monument as the final resting place for those who have died in the civil war; it was also to reinforce the fact that there is unfinished work. "It is for us the living rather, to be dedicated here to the unfinished work which they who have fought here have thus far so nobly advanced." (Lincoln "Gettysburg Address") In my opinion the Gettysburg Address is a
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Pericles on the other hand was speaking after a war had ended at a ceremony held for the dead and he was chosen to speak. He did more of a eulogy whereas Lincoln was an address of the war that was still occurring. I didn't like the fact that though Lincoln was dedicating a monument to the ones who have died he did not mention the families of the lost ones. Pericles does. As a matter of fact he mentions them more then once in his speech. "Comfort, not condolence, is what I have to offer to the parents of the dead who may be here." (Pericles "Funeral Oration") the next time he mentions the families it is geared toward the men. "Turning to the sons and brothers of the dead, I see an arduous struggle before you. When a man is gone, all are wont to praise him, and should your merit be ever so transcendent, you will still find it difficult not merely to overtake, but even to approach their renown."(Pericles, "Funeral Oration") Both Lincoln speech and Pericles speech can be used today. I say this because it is relevant to current issues such as the war in Iraq. Bush just as the speakers mention in this essay say that there is honor in fighting, there is a cause for fighting, we are protecting democracy, and there is work left undone. These are all the major points in keeping a nation patriotic and wanting to continue the

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