Ethos
Ethos is the sense of trustworthiness, character, or authority a poem creates through its speaker. A poet may build ethos by sounding knowledgeable, honest, humble, or morally serious, so readers feel the voice deserves attention. It is not just the poet's real-life reputation; it comes from how the poem presents the speaker on the page.
Example
I know the weight of winter wheat;
I have split the soil with cracked hands.
Listen, and I will tell you
what the earth teaches those who stay.
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Related Definitions
[n] the distinctive spirit of a people or an era; "the Greek ethos"
Links
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Related Terms
acculturation, assumption, attitude, axiology, behavioral norm, body of ideas, body-build, brand, business ethics, cast, character, characteristic, characteristics, civilization, climate, climate of opinion, code, code of ethics, code of morals, common be