What Are The Rhetorical Devices In Patrick Henry's Speech

In Patrick Henry’s,“ Speech in the Virginia Convention,” he explains to the President as well as the government at the time on how a war with Britain is completely necessary in order to gain full independence for America. Henry uses a proud tone to inspire his audience, simple and complex sentence structure to convey straightforward details, patriotic and passionate diction to bring an uprising of emotion, and ethos to ethically support the main idea.

In the fight for freedom, Patrick Henry, the political leader in the American Revolution gave his famous ¨Give Me Liberty or Give Me Death¨ speech in which he expressed his passion to gain independence from Mother England and that this war was a cause worth fighting for. However, Henry also points the perspective of ¨men that

In the years before the war, England continuously gave hostile and angry responses to their enemy, America. There was no other country in this quarter of the world which the British would have wanted war with or had a problem with. Without Henry’s speech, would Americans have voted to fight against the British, and later won their independence from King George III’s terrible

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.

On March 23, 1775, Patrick Henry, one of the crucial motivators of the American Revolution, delivers a speech in the Second Virginia Convention regarding gaining independence from Britain. Henry’s diction, allusions and counterarguments aid in his purpose of making the delegates feel the tyrannical rule by the British and believing in going to war with them is the only option in attaining 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.

The prominent patriot Patrick Henry once said, “I know not what course others may take; but as for me, give me liberty or give me death!” (Henry 7) implying that a life without liberty is not a righteous life. Henry’s quote is included in his popular oratory “Speech to the Virginia Convention.” While discussing with the colonists, Henry lists all of the discrepancies the thirteen colonies had with Great Britain, concluding that there is no other option, but to retaliate instantaneously. In Patrick Henry’s “Speech to the Virginia Convention,” he utilizes amplifying loaded words and coherent parallelism in order to influence the assembly to unify and reciprocate.

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.

Writing to an audience that still lacks the desire to oppose the British, Patrick Henry in his "Speech to Virginia House of Burgesses" focuses on the rights of man and defying oppressors. Through figurative language, rhetorical questions, and diction, Henry heightens the necessity to rise up and fight against the British ruling power over the colonist population in Northern America.

Henry claims, "We have petitioned; we have remonstrated; we have supplicated; we have prostrated ourselves before the throne." He creates rhythm and emphasizes his point that his countrymen have to adopt a new method. His audience realizes the reality of their current situation when he lists all the past efforts. When Henry proclaims, "give me liberty, or give me death," he means that colonists only have two choices: freedom or slavery. Henry stirs the souls of his audience.

It was 1775. War was looming over the British Colonies like a thundercloud yet to strike. Yet, somehow, many high-ranking Virginian delegates thought otherwise. However, one skilled politician decided to express his own feelings. Patrick Henry, a well-taught lawyer and orator from Hanover County Virginia, shared his bold feelings with roughly 120 Virginian leaders during the 1775 Virginia Convention in Richmond Virginia. Mr. Henry’s objective was to convince the convention that Britain had already crossed the line in a way that many thought to be incomprehensible to the naked eye. Britain was trying to keep their unclenching grip on the colonies by any means necessar y, such as bringing in large armies of red coats and crowding the waters with

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.”

March 23rd, 1775, Patrick Henry speaks at the Virginia Convention. While everyone else wants to tip toe around the fact of war and wants to keep the peace. Patrick Henry doesn’t and gives it to everyone straight in his words, “- give me liberty or give me death!” I will be giving a rhetorical analysis breaking down each and every piece of his speech.

Patrick Henry’s “Speech to the Virginia Convention” performed before the House of the Virginia Convention on March 23, 1775, argues that the colonies should no longer rely on Great Britain and encourages war against them. He worked to convince the men of the Virginia convention to stop trying to befriend the British, and instead, wage war against them. Patrick Henry employs various rhetorical devices such as hypophora, anaphora, and allusions to religion, along with persuasive appeals effectively work to convince the colonists that they should no longer be dependent on and trusting of the threatening practices of the British.

Patrick Henry builds his argument with the use of rhetorical structure. Henry presents a speech to his fellow congressmen using rhetorical questions to help convince the assembled leadership to prepare for war with the British. He starts out by saying he is just as patriotic as any other man and how he respects the country “MR. PRESIDENT: No man thinks more highly than I do of the patriotism, as well as abilities,