Rhetorical Devices In Patrick Henry's Speech To The Virginia Convention

In Patricks Henry's, "Speech to Virginia Convention," he persuades colonists that "Britain's insidious smile" blinds them from their dangerous attack. Henry further explains enslavery in Great Britain with considerable suffrage. By using metaphors, repetition, and pathos he tries to gain support from the declaration of war against Great Britain. Henry metaphorically calls the British response “a snare to your feet” also implying the image of a trap which will ensnare them.

The fight for American independence was a long, arduous struggle, but many great literary works aided the battle. One such example is Patrick Henry’s “Speech in the Virginia Convention”. Given in 1775 at the Virginia Provincial Convention, Henry aims to convince listeners of the futility of peace with Britain, and that they should join the efforts for the inevitable war. To accomplish this, Henry uses many different persuasive techniques and rhetorical devices. In Patrick Henry’s “Speech”, Henry uses techniques such as rhetorical questions, allusion, and emotional appeal to convey the point that the United States must rebel against Britain.

In “speech in the Virginia convention,” Patrick Henry convinces colonists to fight Britain through the use of four main rhetorical devices: Allusion, Rhetorical Questions, Figurative language, and Diction. Through Figurative language, he connects to the audience by expressing emotions and explaining the main problems with peace negotiations. Patrick Henry uses allusion in his speech by telling people what is appropriate. Patrick Henry used also Rhetorical Questions to tell people what is right and what is not. He also used diction as the power to explain a topic in a short sentence.

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.

In addition, Patrick henry also uses Logical appeals (logos). “Our petitions have been slighted; our remonstrances have produced additional violence and insult; our supplications have been disregarded; and we have been spurned, with contempt, from the foot of the throne. In vain, after these things, may we indulge the fond hope of peace and reconciliation." "It is in vain, sir, to extenuate the matter." This shows logic because he talks about he saying there actions such as making petitions, they remonstrated and have done everything they can possibly but now they will use violence to get what they want. It's not fair what they have to be dealing with therefore they will now “bring the storm” that they tried to avoid, which is violence. He also does ethos by expressing how they were betrayed. ."Suffer not yourselves to be betrayed with a kiss." (This is also a Biblical allusion, and as such appeals to one's emotional faith.) "Three millions of people, armed in the holy cause of liberty, and in such a country as that which we possess, are invincible by any force which our enemy can send against us." "There is no retreat, but in submission and slavery! Our chains are forged! Their clanking may be heard on the plains of Boston!" "I know not what

In the Speech to the Virginia Convention by Patrick Henry, the author uses multiple literary devices and a unifying tone to support his claim for the Americans to go against British oppression and to

Quite a few rhetorical questions can be located in his speech. For example, "Shall we gather strength by irresolution and inaction?...Are fleets and armies necessary to a work of love and reconciliation?" Henry asked these questions, hoping to create strong emotions in his audience that will help support his argument. One more rhetorical question he asked was, “But when shall we be stronger?” Here, Henry made it a point to ask how long they will wait till they act on Great Britain. Additionally, another question strategy Henry used to his advantage was answering his own questions; this is called hypophora. Such as when he asked, “Shall we try argument?” he answered, “Sir, we have been trying that for the last ten years.” This question illustrates that the colonists have already tried argumenting and can not do it now. Henry also asks, “Have we anything new to offer upon the subject?” He replied to himself, “Nothing.” This question shows that there is no new information to use on Great Britain that they haven’t before. These questions that Patrick answered, demonstrate that the colonists have already tried many strategies to help the situation but none have worked. The answers advise the audience to agree with Henry and his opinion on going to war. Patrick Henry utilized different questioning strategies to convince his listeners to consider

Henry motivates the audience to take up arms against the British. Paragraph one states that “No man thinks more highly than I do of the patriotism, as well as abilities, of the very worthy gentleman who have just addressed the house.” The diction of patriotism adds the credibility that Patrick Henry has, and proves that he is a patriotic man who cares deeply for the well-being of America. This helps promote trust within the listeners that Henry means well and will do anything to make America great. In the end of paragraph one, Henry states, “Should I keep back my opinions at such a time, though fear of giving offences, I should consider myself guilty of treason towards my country and of an act of disloyalty towards the majesty of Heaven, which I revere above all earthly kings.” This illustrates Patrick Henrys credibility because it shows him in the light as a God-fearing Christian, who provokes the trust between the people of that time. Henry solidifies the trust between the listeners and explains that he is looking out for the good of all of

Effective- Henry uses restatement to stress the importance of the impending war. He feels strongly that a war is needed because the colonists must fight for their freedom. War isn’t only for those who can and will fight, it’s for anyone who wants a better life. The battle is for the brave people, and the ones who are ready for danger, and are active. Because they

There is another device that Patrick Henry used to make the convention think and realize what the British has done and that is rhetorical questions. A rhetorical question is a question asked in order to create a dramatic effect or to make a point rather than to get an answer.”Is this the part of wise men, engaged in a great and arduous struggle for liberty?” PH want the convention to think and believe that they are not being wise if they don't decide to go to war and break away from britain. Another strong RQ is ,“Is it that insidious smile with which our petition has been lately received?” PH want the loyalist recognised that the british are already prepping for war. “And what have we to oppose to them? Shall we try argument?” is one of my favorite RQ ,He's making everyone in the convention think about what the king has limited their freedom and how if they should just turn their back and ignore it or actually do something.

In the speech many rhetorical question are used, specially when Henry says “Are fleets and armies necessary to a work of love and reconciliation?” Patrick Henry asks this questions in hope to gather a stronger connection with his audience. Another way of Henry way of putting in rhetorical question in his speech is when he asked “Have we shown ourselves so unwilling to be reconciled, that force must be called in to win back our love?” Patrick Henry specifies this so he can give emotions to his audience that are in the Virginia Convention during his

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.

Shall we acquire the means of effectual resistance by lying supinely on our backs and hugging the delusive phantom of hope, until our enemies shall have bound us hand and foot?” This effectively puts the audience into a panic of a future under the British, luring them more into Henry’s ideas of war. The audience, already hyped from their boosted sense of independence since the beginning of the speech, is now completely vulnerable to Henry’s words.