Peer Responses 1

Respond to two students discussion post. Just type the paragraph under the discussion. It doesn’t have to be in essay form.

Also, make sure that your response(s) are substantial and at least 100 words.  In your responses, you must include connections to course learning objectives. 

Discussion Post #1

By: Tiffany Coles

Martin Luther King Jr. and Shakespeare’s King Henry V were both very charismatic visionary leaders. They both were able to use their speeches to “influence others through an emotional and/or intellectual attraction to the leader’s dreams of what can be” (OpenStax, 2020, p.2). MLK and King Henry both knew their audience, what they wanted or needed to hear, and what they wanted to achieve a move to action in their favor. Martin Luther King Jr.’s I have a dream speech that was given to close to 250,000 people in Washington, DC, in 1963 (History.com Editors, 2017). As a visionary leader, I have a Dream Speech gave his followers and those who came to hear his speech that day hope of what the future would look like. MLK showed his intellect by quoting the constitution. For example, when he said, “When the architects of our republic wrote the magnificent words of the Constitution and the Declaration of Independence, they were signing a promissory note to which every American was to fall heir. This note was a promise that all men, yes, Black men as well as white men, would be guaranteed the unalienable rights of life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness” (History.com Editors, 2017, p.24). With this same line of thought, he plays on the crowd’s emotions as he compares this promissory note as a bad check for people of color. For this particular speech, he used patriotic examples, which fit his location of the capital and make a significant impact on his audience as they are standing at the Lincoln Memorial. He even takes the time to honor him as the one who signed the emancipation proclamation. He was also a well-respected pastor who used scripture from the bible to articulate how his Christian brothers and sisters were living against its teachings by discriminating against people of color. Though his I have a dream speech did not really center around this as much as previous speeches given in other locations, he still spoke this speech as a pastor would from his pulpit. Shakespeare’s King Henry’s Speech, when reading it, he like MLK is using patriotism as a key part of rallying his troops. Here he states, “To do our country loss; and if to live, The fewer men, the greater share of honour,” saying that those that battle and survive will share in honor of the battle (Shakespeare, 2020, p.11). King Henry also plays on their pride in being seen as brave and strong and not seen as a coward or traitor. The King states, “That he which hath no stomach to this fight, Let him depart” and “We would not die in that man’s company; That fears his fellowship to die with us,” giving his soldiers the option to leave but implying the high cost of losing their dignity with the crown (Shakespeare, 2020, p.11). The King also uses his relationship as appointed by God to rule to promise in death in his name that they will be received well in heaven. Though the time periods were much different, Both King’s used their charismatic visionary leadership skills by engaging their audience and leading them into war for their cause. MLK’s war was one in which he was fighting for equal rights where King Henery was going to War to protect his crown and kingdom from French invaders. They inspired their audience with hope, promises of better days, and that they were fighting for a noble cause.

Discussion #2

William Pearman

While I was watching and listening to the speeches by Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. and Shakespeare’s King Henry V, I was thinking about how they were being audience-centric. I’ve watched both of the speeches twice and on my second viewing noticed something that caught me slightly off guard. Both of the speakers actually had two separate audiences. The first is obviously the crowd in front of them, but the second is the audience of viewers either from the theater seats or from the television. I hate to admit this, but I typically don’t get Shakespeare from reading the text. I have to see it acted out. Maybe I will become learned enough to get it someday but that is not today. I need to see the body language or hear the sarcastic tone of the actor’s voice. So, I was very glad to see the video clip to go along with the text. King Henry V dispenses of any foreboding or gloom by being quite optimistic and positive. He acts as if being outnumbered is exactly how he wants the battle to occur. He offers any man who does not have the heart for this battle to leave as if their remaining would somehow tarnish the rest of the men. He implies glorious memories for those who survive and regret for those men who would not participate. His ethos is not because he is the King though, it is as a brother in arms. It even made me want to go fight the French. I’ve got nothing against France or its people, but still.

         Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. used many rhetorical devices employed by many preachers predominant in the Baptist denomination. Repetition being prominently used through anaphora, epistrophe, and symploce. However, there is something deeper with his speeches that has been referred to as having the “it” factor. He would change the pace of his speech. He would speak slower at times to provide information (logos), then build up in volume and speed to release emotion from himself and the audience (pathos). Regardless of the massive crowd, he was speaking to on the Washington Mall, he also was speaking to the resident of 1600 Pennsylvania Ave. in addition to the viewers on television. The “I Have A Dream” speech was delivered at the March for Jobs and Freedom in August of 1963. It was inspirational for the betterment of our country. However, it would take another year and a half for the events of “Bloody Sunday” in Selma, Alabama, to provide the spark to get Congress to act. Knowing one’s audience will provide the opportunity of giving a good speech. Knowing what makes the audience tick provides the opportunity to give a great speech.