The Funeral Speech of Pericles
 

This speech takes only eight pages in its book form.  It is both intellectually abstract and emotionally intense: capturing these two poles of Thucydides’ writing is a challenge for any translator.  On first reading, the emotion of this speech will likely remain obscure.  So try to give yourself time to read it more than once, and prepare at least some of the questions for class.

In the one-paragraph introduction  (ch. 34), what has been done to make the
burial of these dead people special?  What in this paragraph most interests you?

In the first chapter (35), a major distinction emerges between "deeds" and "speech."  Try to put this into your own words.  What is Pericles’ argument about his own role as a speaker?

In chapter 36,  which generation of Athenians seems most important?   Why  is it so important?  Pause at this point and try to summarize what seem to be the key features of Athenian greatness up to this point?

Chapter 37:  Here is one of the classic statements about the nature of Athenian democracy.  What features in it do you approve or disapprove of?  Does it seem strange, or familiar, from an American perspective?

Chapters 38-39:  Now we move to Athenian warfare.

Chapter 40:  Now  Pericles turns from Athenian warfare to further features of Athenian democracy.  In this chapter, look especially for passages when Athenians are portrayed as making choices.  What motivates these choices?

Chapter 41:  Now we move from the citizen to the state.  Again, the distinction between words and deeds becomes important:  why doesn’t Athens need a Homer to praise her?

Chapter 42:  At last we turn to the bones of the fallen that furnish the occasion for this speech.  How does their death gain in meaning from the discussion in the opening chapters?  What is distinctive about these men compared to others who have fallen in battle?

Chapter 43:  Now Pericles asks the survivors to learn from the deaths he has described.  What are these survivors supposed to learn?  What are the guiding metaphors of this chapter?

Chapter 44:  Now we turn to the parents of the dead.  What distinction is drawn between different sorts of parents?

Chapters 45 and 46:  Sons, brothers, and wives now get a word.  Stop for a minute and ask, what is the role of women in this speech?