Rhetorical Analysis - Speech (historical or film)

The speech I chose to do was from the movie “A Few Good Men.”  The part I chose was the speech made by Colonel Jessep (Jack Nicholson) when on the stand.  His argument was what are the consequences of greater responsibility on lying about the truth. He says that greater responsibility requires lying about the truth, because greater responsibility requires making illegal and corrupt decisions.  His audience is people who think it’s wrong to make illegal decisions, even if it’s for the safety of the country.  His goal is to get people to understand why he needed to make an illegal decision, and to get people to understand that those decisions are made all the time to protect the country.  The argument is made through pathos and ethos.  He uses credibility by establishing the grueling work he has to do and the horrible choices he is faced with each day.  He then uses emotions by telling us how much we rely on people like him to protect us, and how he lives by a code, by honor, and loyalty.  He says that we don’t understand what those words mean.  He says “I would rather that you just said thank you and went on your way.  Otherwise, I suggest you pick up a weapon and stand the post.”   That’s powerful.  He didn’t use much research, but I don’t think he needed to.  I think his argument was very effective, even though he got arrested.  He told the truth and if it weren’t for people like him that make decisions that we never could, we would not be safe in this country.