Rhetorical Analysis Of Patrick Henry

Henry also used many metaphors to give a clear picture to the audience in order to dramatize the current conflict. Toward the beginning of the body of his speech, he called Britain sending troops in response the colonists’ rebellious activities as “war-like preparations” and said they “cover[ed] our waters and darken[ed] our land.” There he compared Britain sending troops to a “cover” or a shadow, making them seem like a heavy burden or threat. This comparison painted them in an ominous and untrustworthy light without Henry directly declaring that the British soldiers were untrustworthy. Later in the speech, Henry compared submission to the to slavery, saying, “It is now too late to retire from the contest. There is no retreat but in submission in slavery! Our chains are forged! Their clanking may

Henry uses the aristotelian appeal of logos in his denunciation of the British. This is used to show logic in his speech. Henry states, “We have held the subject up in every light of which it is capable; but it has been all in vain. Let us not, I beseech you, sir deceive ourselves longer.” This firmly displays logos because Henry is stating that it is senseless for the colonists to wait any longer to stand up against Britain to gain their independence. Also, the colonies have tried arguing with the British for ten years, but it has gotten them nowhere. Therefore, it is only logical for the colonists to make a declaration of war. In similar light, Patrick Henry states, “It is natural to man to indulge in the illusions of hope... For my part, whatever anguish of spirit it may cost, I am willing to know the whole truth; to know the worst and to provide for it.” Henry uses reasonability and tells the people that it is not unnatural for them to keep trusting that their situation of being under British rule may get better. However, he also says that overall, the colonists need to be aware of the facts and understand that they can no longer live under a different country’s rule. Logically, the colonies must join forces against Britain and fight for what is rightfully theirs. Henry effectively uses the aristotelian appeal of logos in his speech.

Throughout his speech, Patrick Henry uses logic and presents information so the colonists cannot argue with data that can easily be proven true. At the beginning, Henry presents the fact that Britain responded to America’s petitions in a hostile way. “Ask yourselves how this gracious reception of our petition comports with these warlike preparations which cover our waters and darken our lands” (Henry 102). In other words, when Britain was given the Americans’ petition, they retaliated by sending their

Finally, what I consider the most powerful technique Henry uses is the fallacy of appealing to emotion. Henry talks about various actions that the colonists have already taken to protest the English government, such as, “We have petitioned; we have remonstrated; we have supplicated…” By doing so, the audience is reminded of all these things that have been done, only to realize that they have failed. Henry “reveals” that the English government has only denied them and turned them down each time. “Our petitions have been slighted; our remonstrances have produced additional violence and insult; our supplications have been disregarded; and we have been spurned…” This quote builds up anger in the audience, creating great contempt for the British. The colonists start to feel as though the British have no intention to care about them and will take advantage of Americans every chance they get.

In addition to rhetorical questioning, Henry also uses allusion to assert his opinions. For example, while speaking of how man naturally believes in hope, he references Homer’s Odyssey by saying, “We are apt to listen to the song of that siren till she transforms us into beasts”

Henry’s reference to Ezekiel 12:2 (“having eyes, see not, and, having ears, hear not”) was a way to draw attention to injustices that he saw among the American people. Because most

Henry says, “ Suffer not yourselves to be betrayed with a kiss.” This allusion is from the bible in Luke 22:47-48 Jesus is betrayed with a kiss from who he thought was his friend. This compares to what is going on with the war because Great Britain betrayed the colonies by having them suffer high taxes. That is one of the reasons why the colonies are trying to win their independence. Another allusion he used was when he said, “... and listen to the song of that siren till she transforms us into beasts.” The allusion he used here was from Homers Odyssey, the enchantress Circe transforms men into swine after charming them with their singing. This resembles Great Britain luring in the colonies to believe in all of the false hopes and promises that they say they will give them, but these are not ever

In paragraph one of the speech, in spite of the face that Patrick Henry stress that he is patriotic towards Britain, he has an alternate perspective on the most proficient method to handle the conflicts with them.He does not promptly rion the perspectives of the group of delegates, however he attempts to show them an alternate perspective. Henry states, “...different men often see the same subject in different lights…” Henry uses the term “light” to express how his views are similar of to

When he speaks to the colonists he says, “listen to the song of the siren till she transforms us into beasts”. Patrick Henry used this allusion referring to the colonists as the ones who were being deceived by the British and would eventually lose their battle against them. In addition to the delusion of the colonists, he proclaimed that the colonists were in complete denial of the extent of the mistreatment and inequality that was being embedded on them as he said, “Are we disposed to be of the number of those who, having eyes, see not, and, having ears, hear not, the things which so nearly concern their temporal salvation?”. Patrick Henry used allusions to compare the horrid circumstances the colonists were under to past relatable

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.

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.

Henry stated, “No man thinks more highly than I do of the patriotism, as well as abilities, of the very worthy gentlemen who have addressed the House. But different men often see the same subject in different lights (Henry).” Henry recognizes the evident differences in beliefs that the colonist has. Henry goes on in his speech to say, “The question before House is one of awful moment to this country, and I consider is as nothing less than question of freedom or slavery (Henry).” Henry determines the colonists must make an ultimate decision. By utilizing the words ‘slavery’ and ‘freedom’, he created a hope for the colonist to hold onto and to create fear in the colonies. Henry appeals to the colonist’s religion because it was relevant to the revolutionary cause. Henry stated, “Should I keep back my opinions at a such a time, through fear of giving offense, I should consider myself as guilty of treason toward my country, and an act of disability toward the Majesty of Heaven, which I revere above all earthly kings (Henry).” Henry denounced the King when he stated Majesty of Heaven. Doing this, he informs the colonists that God was on their side. By associating God with the war, Henry utilized the use of pathos and ethos. Patrick Henry’s speech refutes his opponent’s beliefs that there was no need for battle with the British. Henry stated, “It is natural to man to indulge in the

As Henry begins his speech he addressed the opposition with due respect, “But different men often see the same subject in different lights; and therefore, I hope that it will not be thought disrespectful to those gentlemen.” By acknowledging the citizens with different viewpoints, Henry creates a connection with the colonists. He sees that he must show empathy and understanding in order to give the opposing side a chance to actually hear what he has to say. It goes without saying that Henry knows his

At the Virginia Convention in 1775, Patrick Henry delivered a speech to the president and the delegates at the convention expressing his opinion on the colonies relationship with Great Britain. Henry’s purpose when delivering this speech was to persuade the men at the convention to go to war with Great Britain in order to gain independence from them, which will ultimately allow the colonists to gain more freedom. Patrick Henry uses metaphors and rhetorical questions in his speech to the Virginia Convention in order to persuade the president and delegates to rebel against and go to war with Great Britain. Patrick Henry uses metaphors as literary devices in order to inform his audience of the problems with Great Britain and in order to attempt

Pathos was the driving force behind Henry’s speech due to his analogies of imperialism, and his use of fear relating to chauvinism. Patrick Henry had to persuade the colonists so they wouldn’t betray themselves with the misapprehension of hope. Henry’s concepts of imperialism was used to convey possible abject futures that would furor reality into the colonists. The comparison is seen when Henry states, “Shall we