Patrick Henry Rhetorical Analysis

    In Henry’s speech, he first sets the stage by using a proud tone while explaining the importance of war with Britain. His illustrious delivery of the speech itself is very moving, as the efforts to convince America to settle on the side of war. He goes on to convey, “Sir, we are not weak, if we make a proper use of  those means which the God of nature hath placed in our power” (Henry 38). His tone of taking charge and only accepting the best from his country supports the claim that Henry is indeed the proud man he is. Henry also in his speech uses an enlightening tone to inspire his crowd he uses terms to explain how he will settle for only the best for the country. He uses phrases such as, “The war is inevitable-and let it come!” (38). This phrase brings up the emotion of the crowd as they believe in war, and Henry himself is full of power as he enforces that war must go on. He uses such enthusiasm and inspiration to uplift himself and the crowd to ensure that war is necessary. Overall, Henry;s tone of the proudness and

Patrick Henry uses a loud, respectful tone to show that he was serious using ethos. He was respectful while he addressed the House, In the speech he states “No man thinks more highly than I do of patriotism, as well as abilities, of the very worthy gentlemen who have just addressed the house. But different men often see the same subject in different lights; and, therefor I hope it will not be thought disrespectful to those gentlemen if, entertaining as I do, opinions of a character very opposite to theirs, I shall speak forth my sentiments freely, and without reserve.” He did not

We must fight against the dreadful British. Patrick Henry wrote the “Speech in the Virginia Convention” to urge the colonists to fight for independence from Great Britain. Henry shows a great amount of strength and patriotism in his speech. This, along with other strategies, aids him in persuading the colonists. Patrick Henry’s influential, “Speech in the Virginia Convention” rightfully uses aristotelian appeals and rhetorical strategies to persuade the colonists to declare war against the British.

Patrick Henry is an American attorney and politician from Virginia, who helped write the state’s constitution in 1776. Before that, he helped begin the American Revolution by stating his opinions on the crisis with Great Britain at the Virginia Convention in 1775. In his speech, he persuades the audience, who are delegates, to go to war with Great Britain. Henry does this by using many rhetorical strategies. The strategies he uses to defend his opinions are: imagery, repetition, and emotion.

When Henry first starts his speech he first employs ethos by creating a respectful tone toward his delegates by using a litote in the very beginning in order to illustrate his respect for the delegates: “But different men often see the same subject in different lights; and, therefore, I hope it will not be thought disrespectful to those gentlemen if, entertaining as I do of opinions of a character very opposite to theirs, I shall speak forth my sentiments freely, and without reserve.” Henry uses this litote to negate the negative and make it into a positive meaning so he can effectively convey ethos since he directs that, his thoughts may differ from their own ideals but Henry uses this as a respectable tone to draw in the delegates in toward him and let them consider what he has to say. Not only that, but Henry uses religious ideals and God, to strengthen his credibility (ethos) and to persuade that the british are full of sinister intent and against god by using a metaphor and then a allusion. First he utilizes the metaphor where he compares the simle to a trap “Is that insidious simile...will it prove a snare to your feet.” This displays the unloyalty of the British toward their people. Then he uses the allusion to demonstrate that the British are wicked by comparing them to

Patrick Henry adresses the delegates at the Convention of Virginia (1776) in his speech titled, “Give me Liberty or Give me Death!” Henry develops his claim by speaking candidly with a dramatic tone. He strengthens his credibility through his use and application of a ceremonious diction, and his syntax perfectly fits the occasion. In the speech he hopes to induce delegates into seceding from Great Britain to take arms against the English.

First, Patrick Henry, author of “Speech in the Virginia Convention”, uses allusions and rhetorical questions to convince his

Patrick Henry was an influential leader, from the 18th century, who delivered one of the most famous speeches in the United States. He was also a politician, with a strong sense of patriotism, leading to his support in the opposition of the British government. Before Independence Day, America was under the control of the British, and by 1774, the British Parliament started passing laws to tax colonists. However, Henry was remarkably against to the submission of British government. The patriot transformed the spirits of the colonists, and perhaps bringing America, itself, out of slavery through a speech, “Give Me Liberty or Give Me Death.” This speech was given at the Second Virginia Convention on March 23, 1775 at St. John’s Episcopal Church in Richmond, Virginia. Henry’s speech played an important role for the War of Independence, as well as, finding one of the principals of which America is founded upon, freedom.

During the Revolutionary War, writers and orators publicly revealed their thoughts on how to respond to Britain’s further subjugation of the American colonies. After a futile hope for reconciliation and failed petitions to the British government, several patriots, such as Thomas Paine and Patrick Henry, called for the colonists to take up arms against the British. Through Paine’s Common Sense and Henry’s “Speech in the Virginia Convention”, they displayed an adamant message for the colonies to fight immediately. Both used the rhetorical elements of ethos, pathos, and logos within their respective works, and their various applications to the three elements allowed for their arguments to reach all ears and influence the majority of the population towards the fight for independence.

Would America be the same country if it was not for some of our founding fathers and their contributions? If you take Patrick Henry out of the equation, the answer could very well be, ‘Yes’. Patrick Henry played a very prominent role in the success of America’s independence. Along with Thomas Jefferson and Richard Henry Lee, Patrick Henry helped create the Virginia House of Burgesses to resolve the tumultuous state of the colonies. In the early spring of 1775, Patrick Henry met with members of the second Virginia Convention to discuss the need for a military mobilization against the British. Henry spoke to fellow citizens of Virginia in Richmond at what is now St. John’s Church. He spoke with intimacy, fervor, passion, and showed an undeniable support to fight against the English government. His use of ethos, pathos, and logos effectively persuaded opponents and supporters of the Revolution to unite and fight British tyranny for American independence.

In support of arming the Virginia militia to fight the British, leading advocate of American independence, Patrick Henry argues that his countrymen have to declare war against the British. To strengthen both the logic and persuasiveness, Patrick Henry deftly employs rhetorical questions, parallelism, and powerful diction. Henry makes subtle yet effective use of rhetorical questioning to persuade his audience that war is the path that leads to freedom.

Throughout history, historical events have been relived and experienced by many in the present day through various scriptures and texts. From shocking testimonies, and inspirational speeches to intriguing journal entries, and questionable declarations, literature has allowed society, no matter the time, to go back and learn about past events that helped define the present society. Through these pieces of literature and their literary devices, readers are able to immerse themselves into the past by exposing themselves to historical figures’ persuasions and intentions through their creations. One of these pieces of literature that demonstrates these qualities is Patrick Henry’s Address to the Virginia Convention written in 1775. In Patrick Henry’s speech, he uses literary devices, such as diction, tone and syntax, to help the readers understand and relate to the author’s purpose in calling the Virginia Convention to action for one of the most historical moments in United Stated history, the American Revolution. The author uses these literary devices to persuade and encourage rebellious behavior in the audience, by creating a unifying, inspirational and rebellious tone to get them to support America’s impending fight for freedom, liberty and independence from British oppression.

During the 1700s era, King George III constantly persecuted the colonist. He distributed many unjust rulings, taxation without representation, sending soldiers to invade colonial homes and territory, and taking away their basic rights while giving them less freedom than that of the people who live in Great Britain. Many colonists did not agree with the way he was ruling, however, many of them stood by and let it happen. The ones that did not stand by had more forceful tactics of taking care of a problem. The main issue with being inclined to violent thoughts, or nothing at all, is not actually executing a problem to the solution. Patrick Henry, being one of the many leaders of change, delivered a speech towards a solution. Patrick Henry delivered his speech to the 122 delegates and the President on March 23, 1775. This speech took place about 1 month before the American Revolutionary War and about 1 year before the Declaration of Independence. Henry’s speech became the start of a new America. His speech uses allusions, metaphors, and rhetorical questions to emphasize the need to go to war with England.

Mr. Henry gave a speech at the Virginia convention and his speech appealed to pathos, ethos, and logos. Mr. Henry gave a speech asking the people do they agree to rather fight or do they rather not fight. He appeals to pathos by asking emotion questions and giving emotional quotes he uses logos by appealing to logic and he uses ethos by using credibility all to persuade them to fight.

On March 23, 1775, He gave a speech to be remembered as the “Give Me Liberty or Give Me Death” speech. Less than a month away from the Revolutionary War Patrick Henry addressed the House of Burgesses. The men in the House of Burgesses argued against staging a war opposing the British accordingly the men did not want to raise a militia, although other northern countries did. Patrick Henry uses pathos to convince the men of the House of Burgesses to raise a militia or voluntary army to fight against the British. The members might feel obligated to side with Patrick Henry when viewing the emotional situation the colonisers are in.