Overview
This lecture analyzes Ed Sheeran's song "Thinking Out Loud" by examining its rhetorical strategies, focusing on ethos, pathos, and the use of sensory language to convey a heartfelt message about enduring love.
Establishing Ethos and Audience
- The song title "Thinking Out Loud" suggests unfiltered, honest thoughts, building ethos (credibility).
- The openness invites trust, implying the speaker is addressing someone he deeply trusts or loves.
- The audience is the speaker's love interest, adding intimacy to the message.
Use of Sensory Language and Rhetorical Devices
- Sheeran uses rhetorical questions about the longevity of love, focusing on sensory memories.
- Sensory language (taste, touch, sight) deepens emotional connection and supports pathos (emotional appeal).
- Synesthesia (mixing senses) is evident in phrases like "taste of my love" and "eyes smile from your cheeks."
- Personification is used, e.g., “eyes smile,” to enhance the emotional weight of the lyrics.
Expression of Vulnerability and Pathos
- The speaker voices insecurities and fears about aging and love lasting over time.
- Vulnerability strengthens the emotional argument, making the speaker more trustworthy and relatable.
- Continuous declarations like wanting to fall in love every day reinforce deep emotional commitment.
Calls to Action and Celebration of Love
- The lyrics repeatedly call for physical closeness and affection (“take me into your loving arms ”).
- The use of affectionate terms like “darling” and “honey” increases intimacy.
- The recurring hook “Maybe We Found Love Right Where We Are” celebrates the uniqueness of their relationship.
Reflection on Aging and Legacy
- Sheeran contemplates aging, loss of fame, and skill, deconstructing his public image.
- He emphasizes that love endures beyond physical changes and public recognition.
- Shifts from personal decline to praising the lover’s everlasting qualities (“your soul could never grow old, it’s evergreen”).
Fate, Mistakes, and Authenticity
- Allusions to fate and destiny strengthen the sense of a special, planned love.
- Admitting to “making the same mistakes” demonstrates vulnerability and authenticity.
Key Terms & Definitions
- Ethos — Credibility or trustworthiness of the speaker.
- Pathos — Emotional appeal to the audience.
- Sensory Language — Descriptive language that engages the senses (sight, touch, taste).
- Synesthesia — A literary or neurological phenomenon where senses are mixed.
- Personification — Attributing human traits to non-human things.
- Rhetorical Question — A question asked for effect, not meant to be answered.
Action Items / Next Steps
- Review the rhetorical devices used in the song lyrics.
- Prepare to discuss how ethos, pathos, and sensory language function in other modern love songs.