Patrick Henry Speech Analysis

The colony of Virginia could not agree if they should press for an undisturbed solution with great Britain or to prepare for war. Patrick henry introduced resolutions calling for military preparedness. After politely listening to his fellow colleagues refusal to armed rebellion, he rose to deliver this impassioned speech. His speech was towards the delegates from Virginia, Henrys purpose was to persuade the colony of Virginia to withdraw from great Britain to fight back against them. He alienated Britain by blaming every hardships they faced to Britain. He uses rhetoric to initiate a well- known tone with the audience while the exigency in his words and alarming last line," give me liberty or give me death", left the crowd with a threatening

Patrick Henry’s speech to the Virginia Convention written and spoken by Patrick Henry raised the people 's attention. He spoke passionate words because he no longer wanted to be a slave to Britain.The men that attended the Virginia Convention realized that they needed to start fighting back after all the troubles the British caused. The British terrorized innocent people of America, even killed men, women, and children. In his speech he proposed resolutions to prepare the Virginia Colony for war and gave the speech to support those resolutions. His reasons for the speech were to convince the colonist, to try and maintain peace, to persuade war against Britain, and to show that he would be a good president. Patrick Henry’s speech was very effective regarding the Virginia Convention using ethos, pathos, and logos.

At a tense meeting in a church in Richmond, Virginia, away from the watchful eyes of Britain, Patrick Henry began to deliver a rousing speech to the Second Convention of Delegates. His passion was tangible to the audience as he called the delegates to action. His speech was memorable to everyone in the room and powerful in convincing the delegates to support the war. Little did he know that this speech would continue to be known for its power and persuasion for generations to come. Throughout Patrick Henry's speech, he emphasized the necessity to act against Britain and support the war, but he did so in a way that was unavoidably persuasive. Henry used emotional appeal, metaphors, and rhetorical questions in order to convince the delegates

'Give me liberty or give me death.' These famous words were uttered by Patrick Henry on March 23, 1775, as a conclusion to his speech delivered to the Virginia House of Burgesses. Within his speech, he uses the three rhetorical appeals (ethos, logos, and pathos) to convey a feeling of urgency toward the changes occurring in policy within the Americas implemented by the British government. He cleverly uses these appeals to disrupt the paradigm that Great Britain is going to let the American people have any liberty.

When Patrick Henry gave his famous Give Me Liberty Or Give Me Death speech he proved that pens are indeed mightier than swords. That speech undoubtedly lead to the formation of the great nation that we now live in today.

In 1775, during the time Patrick Henry’s “Speech to the Virginia Convention” was written the colonists wanted to gain independence from Great Britain. King George created unreasonable taxes, the colonists felt like they shouldn’t have to pay for it so they began to rebel. Jonathan Edwards’s gave his sermon “ Sinners in the Hands of an Angry God” during the 1740’s, also this when the outbreak of the Great Awakening took place and a religious revival swept the colonies and sparked conversions. In Patrick Henry’s “Speech to the Virginia Convention” and Jonathan Edwards’s sermon “Sinners in the Hands of an Angry God”, both authors use tone, imagery, and diction to reevaluate their stance on their current situations.

According to Patrick Henry, “I know not what course others may take; but as for me, give me liberty or give me death!” (Henry 7). Patrick Henry was able to give an outstanding speech at the Virginia Convention, regarding the actions needing to be taken by the colonists. This speech included the criticizing and denouncing of Great Britain, along with the urging of the colonists to fight for independence. This including that the colonists need to become prepared because the unjust actions of the British were not simply going to go away. Henry urges the colonists to fight for the freedom that they rightfully deserve, and he does it extremely well. In Patrick Henry’s ‘Speech to the Virginia Congress’, he demonstrates passionate pathos appeals and rhetorical questioning to persuade the colonists to stand up for themselves and join the fight for their freedom.

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.

America: “land of the free and home of the brave” (Key line 8). This statement would not exist without the important writers that built America’s foundation. The word courageous, however, does not just apply to physically fighting soldiers, but, for the people fighting mentally. The authors of the important documents, that helped lay a foundation for America, had a ton of courage to speak their mind. The authors: Patrick Henry, Thomas Paine, and Thomas Jefferson, used rhetorical devices not only to prove to Britain that their colony was worth fighting for, but also to influence colonists to join the fight.

Freedom, the one thing that America is know for. Freedom doesn’t just happen, it is earned. Patrick Henry was the man who said the first words that needed to be heard to bring about the freedom the we have today. Patrick Henry was born May 29, 1736, he lived his life defending people who couldn't defend themselves and became a attorney. In 1776 and 1784 he became the first and the sixth governor of Virginia. He was married twice, the first was in 1754 to Sarah Shelton, who later passed away in 1775 to what was believed to be postpartum psychosis. He was then married to Dorothea Dandridge in 1777 until he died on June 6, 1799.

Many men were pivotal to the American cause in the War for Independence, and one of the most influential was Patrick Henry. In his famous speech “Give Me Liberty or Give Me Death” Patrick Henry delivered a powerful speech through the manipulative use of language and word choice. On March 23, 1775, the third Virginia convention was held in St. John 's Church in Richmond. The convention was held to discuss relations with Great Britain. This was the place where Patrick Henry made his timeless speech "Give Me Liberty or Give Me Death!" to the House of Burgesses with the hope of freeing Virginia from British rule. He spoke with conviction and showed undeniable support for the fight against the English government. He used the appeals of ethos, pathos, and logos to instill fear and anger in his audience. He effectively used religion and evidence of British oppression to connect with his audience and help persuade opponents and supporters of the Revolution to unite and fight for American independence.

In 1775, Patrick Henry gave America one of the most inspiring speeches that will bring soon bring them together with war on the rise. “Give Me Liberty or Give Me Death” has become the battle-cry to the people in the colonies to take a stand against Britain’s rule and make America their own country. Even after the attempted peace between the two countries, it has been exhausted to the breaking point, and it has come to the time where fighting for their own freedom is the only viable option. Henry’s speech spoke volumes to the American people of the truth, the false presence of peace, and the cry for battle against Britain.

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.

In Patrick Henry’s speech, he calls to the people of the Virginia Convention through persuasion and a sense of urgency to arm themselves to fight against the English government if they do not yield to America’s commands. He expressed passion and support to fight for independence against the British. Henry used pathos, ethos, and logos effectively to convince supporters as well as opposers to unite and fight for America's right to freedom. Opening, Patrick Henry begins by defending patriots and showing respect to those who oppose his view. In order to gain trust from his audience, Henry acknowledges the opposers who see the same subject but “in different lights.”

Have you ever needed to persuade someone, to change or make them understand the correct viewpoint on the current situation? Within Patrick Henry’s “Speech to the Virginia Convention,” he persuaded the colonists to go to war with Britain by using rhetorical techniques being, imagery, repetition, rhetorical questions, and appealing to ethos. Using these techniques, he paints a picture of why to go to war, enforces an idea into their mind, makes them question their own ideas, and convinces them that the Speaker is the one they should listen to. While Patrick Henry proclaimed his point of view towards the representatives, he uses imagery, to paint a picture in the representatives to think about not going to war versus going. Within this quote, an example is shown of how Patrick Henry uses imagery.