As I have stated previously, rhetoric comes in many forms. That said, the musical quartet was certainly one of the most interesting examples of rhetorical discourse I have been exposed to. I believe the quartet was rhetoric primarily because it utilized an artform to persuade an audience. However, unlike most examples of rhetorical discourse, I don’t believe the goal was to persuade the audience to establish a new viewpoint on a commonly disputed matter. Rather, I think the goal was to persuade the audience to enter a certain mood that was directed by the tone and beat of each song. Some people might argue that because the quartet is not responsible for composing the pieces they played, they are not the rhetors. However, I don’t think this is the case. It is clear to me that the members of the quartet put time into choosing which pieces to play during their performance. The quartet compiled a list of songs that they chose in order to convey certain feelings to their audience. In this sense, they are rhetors.

If Gorgias himself were listening to the music, I think he would have admired the effect it had on the audience.  As many people are aware, Gorgias is known for being a highly skilled rhetorician that valued the ability to persuade others with rhetoric. I believe Gorgias would have felt the quartet’s performance was powerful because each move that the musicians made was planned, practiced, and designed to have a specific effect. The research I have conducted on Gorgias’ opinions on rhetoric leads me to conclude that the quartet’s performance is what Gorgias would classify as powerful rhetoric.