In comparing Lincoln's "Gettysburg Address" and Whitman's "O Captain! My Captain!" in terms of their use of ethos, it is essential to understand that ethos refers to the credibility or authority established by the speaker or writer to persuade the audience.
1. The "Gettysburg Address" by Lincoln primarily relies on ethos through his position as the President of the United States at the time and his authority to address the nation during a critical period of the Civil War. By invoking the honor of the fallen soldiers and emphasizing the nation's dedication to their cause, Lincoln establishes his credibility and authority to inspire the audience to uphold the values for which they fought.
2. On the other hand, Whitman's "O Captain! My Captain!" does not heavily rely on ethos in the same way as the "Gettysburg Address." Whitman's poem is more emotional and personal, focusing on the grief and loss felt by the speaker rather than appealing to authority or credibility to persuade the audience.
Therefore, in comparing the two texts, it can be concluded that the speech, "Gettysburg Address," relies more on ethos through Lincoln's authoritative position and the gravity of the historical moment, while the poem, "O Captain! My Captain!," does not emphasize ethos to the same extent, as it conveys a different emotional tone and message.
