▲ [Photos provided by Google.com] Adolf Hitler (left) Winston Churchill (right)

By Min ju

   Julius Caesar, the Roman military and political leader around 100 BC, was quite psychologically adept at manipulating the minds of people through his words. With his Commentaries, he became famous as one of the finest orators and authors of prose in Rome. Even Cicero, Caesar? political rival, spoke highly of Caesar? rhetoric and style. Likewise, historical figures of the past possessed their own unique ways of talking which captivated the minds of people during and after their time.
   Adolf Hitler, who gained power in Germany facing political and social crisis after World War I, also used charismatic oratory and propaganda to move the minds of people. According to the book, The Mind of Hitler written by Walter C. Langer, Hitler would start out his speech in a calm and objective manner and as the speech progresses, his voice and speed would get louder and faster with passion. This speech style is similar to the music of Wilhelm Richard Wagner who happens to be Hitler? favorite musician. ?he broad masses of a population are more amenable to the appeal of rhetoric than to any other force,?is one of Hitler? famous quotes.
   Winston Churchill, the Prime Minister of the United Kingdom during World War II, gave speeches that were a great inspiration to the embattled British and is still known to this day as one of Britain? most charismatic leaders in history. According to a research conducted by psychologists L. Beet and A. White, leaders that use ?e?more often than ??tend to sound more democratic and egalitarian. One example of this was said by Churchill before the Battle of Britain to bring the British people together at a time of crisis, ?e shall defend our island, whatever the cost may be, we shall fight on the beaches, we shall fight on the landing grounds, we shall fight in the fields and in the streets, we shall fight in the hills; we shall never surrender.?Socrates, an ancient Greek philosopher, established a school for speech training and emphasized the importance of speaking style. Whether to achieve a goal, persuade someone to action, or even to get someone to trust you, your style of talking contributes a considerable amount. As the saying goes in ancient Egypt, the human tongue is a weapon, and speech possesses a stronger power than war.

global1004@ewhain.net

저작권자 © Ewha Voice 무단전재 및 재배포 금지