Analyse the devices and techniques used by Montaigne in his essay and comment on the way these persuade the reader, citing evidence.

Michel de Montaigne’s essay, “We reach the same end by discrepant means” uses a variety of techniques to convince the reader that the title of the essay is in fact true – not only within the context of his essay, but also the wider context of all of society & civilisation.

Montaigne discusses war and history – subjects which would be appropriate to a nobleman, and through the use of a variety of examples of men “reaching the same end by discrepant means” – from various cultures and backgrounds; giving the reader the impression that this statement is indeed a universal truth and not subject to the context of the men. Such can be shown by contrasting: “Edward, Prince of Wales – the one who long governed our Guyenne and whose qualities and fortune showed many noteworthy characteristics of greatness…” with �...