Question

read the excerpt from pericless funeral oration by thucydides.
to me it seems that the consummation which has overtaken these men shows us the meaning of manliness in its first revelation and in its final proof. some of them, no doubt, had their faults; but what we ought to remember first is their gallant conduct against the enemy in defence of their native land. they have blotted out evil with good, and done more service to the common - wealth than they ever did harm in their private lives.
how does the speaker use a rhetorical device to support his purpose?
he uses antithesis to persuade the audience that it is noble to defend ones country.
he uses antithesis to inform the audience of the actions the men took for the country.
he uses meiosis to persuade the audience that the men acted bravely during the war.
he uses meiosis to inform the audience of the faults the men had in their private lives.

Explanation:

Antithesis is a rhetorical device that juxtaposes contrasting ideas. In the text, "Some of them, no doubt, had their faults; but what we ought to remember first is their gallant conduct against the enemy in defence of their native land" shows a contrast between the men's faults (negative) and their gallant conduct (positive). The purpose of a funeral oration is often to praise the deceased and persuade the audience of the nobility of certain actions (like defending the country). Meiosis is a device that minimizes something, which is not the case here as the speaker is highlighting the positive (defending the country) over the negative (faults).

Answer:

He uses antithesis to persuade the audience that it is noble to defend one's country.