Don Juan: A Rhetorical Masterpiece

                Yesterday I went to see the play Don Juan in school. I did not know what to expect, since I had never heard of it and was not familiarized with it. It turned out to be a great performance with very good actors and props. I truly enjoyed it and laughed a lot all throughout it. In addition to the entertainment the play provided, it is also very important to analyze the rhetoric behind the play. I found it very interesting to observe how most of the characters manipulated pathos in the audience. For example, the people at the Mexican beach, through their gestures and facial expressions, demonstrated their disgust toward the excited lifeguard. Also, the woman with the baby in the beach demonstrated her emotions of frustration toward Don Juan in a way that she transmitted the feelings to the audience and manipulated their emotions. Finally, Don Juan’s servants portrayed fear and lack of bravery on several occasions.

            Ethos was another one of the modes of rhetoric manipulated throughout the play. Don Juan’s mother from the very beginning established her character as an authoritarian and furious person. This allowed her to set her stance and to transmit her lines in a way that the audience would realize the certainty and directness with which she delivered her arguments. On the other hand, Don Juan’s servant established his character as a rather fearful and humble individual. This contributed to enhancing his character not only through his lines, but through his personality. It was impressive to see the last scene of the play, where Don Juan was devoured by all of the people he had dealt with. This might show how you are responsible for all your actions and sometime you will pay for all that you have done.