Question

What rhetorical effect does the personification of the word Prudence have in the following excerpt from the Declaration of Independence?
Prudence, indeed, will dictate that Governments long established should not be changed for light and transient causes; and accordingly all experience hath shewn, that mankind are more disposed to suffer, while evils are sufferable, than to right themselves by abolishing the forms to which they are accustomed.

A.
It ironically appeals to the religious sentiments of the audience.
B.
It sarcastically criticizes the colonists’ desire to form a new government.
C.
It directly emphasizes an appeal to the reader’s emotions.
D.
It effectively enhances the logos and ethos of the argument.

Answer 1

Answer:The rhetorical effect that the impersonation of the word "Prudence" provoked was the Ethos.

Explanation:

Personification is a figure of speech that provides human characteristics to inanimate objects or beings. In the excerpt from the Declaration of Independence, the personification allowed that the "prudencia" that is an inanimate being could dictate something.

Prudence is the ability of some people to analyze existing variables and evaluate their possible consequences before making a decision. When the author used the personification in prudence, he imposed that prudence be seen as an authority, which must be heard and its precepts followed.

In this way the author appealed to the rhetorical Ethos effect. An appeal to ethos depends on the credibility, competence and reputation of the person making the argument, in this case, the person is the "prudence". A person considered as an authority on the subject she is talking about would make such an argument. The argument is primarily based on relying on the opinion or analysis of an authority or expert.