THE ETHOS IN THE POLITICAL DISCOURSE OF NICOLAE IORGA
THE ETHOS IN THE POLITICAL DISCOURSE OF NICOLAE IORGA

Summary/Abstract: This paper analyzes the ethos in two distinct speeches by the renowned orator Nicolae Iorga. The first speech, titled “Discurs la proiectul de lege pentru completarea unor dispoziții la legea învățământului universitar” and the second, “Despre conflictul cu prof. univ. C.C. Giurescu”, serve as the corpus for this study. The research aims to observe how ethos is constructed in these discourses and how Iorga capitalizes on his multiple identities to persuade his audience. By applying theoretical concepts related to ethos, the study compares the ways in which authority is built in both texts, highlighting their similarities and differences. Through a pragmatic and comparative approach, the study demonstrates how Iorga employs rhetorical and linguistic strategies to shape his self-image as an authoritative figure. The analysis reveals that his ethos construction varies depending on the nature of the discourse—legislative versus polemical—and the argumentative stakes of each speech. In both cases, Iorga’s ability to influence his audience is rooted in his intellectual prestige, political status, and strategic use of identity positioning.

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