Samantha Fox
English 010
Rhetorical Analysis There comes a time in everyones life when they come to hate or sometimes even learn to hate a particular person or thing. Whether it be that boy or girl in high school that was better in sports, or the boy who started dating the girl you were planning on asking to prom, to the person who got the promotion at work over you. If we all took the time to think back I am sure we can all recall a time where we despised a situation or an individual. Take for instance the writing by William Hazlitt entitled “On the Pleasure of Hating”, which includes many examples of how people get pleasure out of other peoples misery or defeat. However, I do not agree on most of the points made in the writing of
I believe if people examine and analyze the situation that they are faced with, or to put the shoe on the other foot, would they want people to wish ill will on them? I think not. Lastly, “As to my old opinion, I am heartily sick of them. I have reason, for they have deceived me sadly. I was taught to think, and I was willing to believe, that genius was not bawd, that virtue was not a mask, that liberty was not a name, that love had its seat in the human heart. Now I would care little if these words were struck out of the dictionary, or if I had never heard them.” This quote by Hazlitt is probably the most absurd he wrote. I bring your attention to his vocabulary words, genius, virtue, liberty, and love. Now think of your life without virtue or love. For Hazlitt to state that he would not care if he never heard these words is insane! I was, as I believe everyone else in the United States were brought up with these two words, if nothing else. To not have loved or been loved is not fathomable. It is mush easier to open ones heart to love and compassion than it is to take the time to dwell and hate someone. In conclusion, I believe that Hazlitt’s writing is a poor attempt at explaining an emotion that should not be in any individuals heart. It takes more time to hate someone than it does to love them. A smile from someone can brighten your day, even