What Are The Rhetorical Devices In Henry's Speech

Patrick Henry, a self-taught lawyer, delivers a speech to 122 delegates in Richmond, Virginia spelling out to the delegates why they need to revolt. Patrick Henry uses multiple rhetorical devices to spell out his reasoning for the need of a revolution such as rhetorical questions, allusions, and diction.

1. Patrick Henry’s purpose in his speech to the Convention of Delegates in Virginia was to convince the people to take action against the British government. This excerpt is an effective conclusion to that speech. Throughout the speech, Henry appeals to both reason and emotion. He argues that the choice before the people of the Colonies is between freedom and slavery, and he claims that sharing his opinions is in the service of God and country. These final sentences bring Henry’s reasoning and his appeal to its logical end. In them, Henry uses rhetorical questions and an appeal to pathos. The effect is to leave the reader/listener feeling that Henry’s conclusion is the only one for a person of patriotic and sound mind.

Both President George W. Bush and Patrick Henry wrote very similar pieces. Henry delivered a speech known as “Speech to Virginia Convention” to Virginia delegates as to why America should separate from Great Britain. President Bush bush presented a speech “President Bush Outlines Iraqi Threat”, that was broadcasted internationally regarding the decision to use military force against Iraq. As we now know today, both speeches effectively persuaded others. The two are similar through the use of multiple rhetorical devices such as pathos, loaded language and ethos.

In his famous speech, Patrick Henry tries to convince the colonists to fight for their independence from England. During the time, England was the most powerful country. During the Virginia Provincial Convention, Patrick Henry got a chance to give his opinion, which was opposite of everyone else’s. The others giving a speech on that day thought the colonies should compromise. Patrick Henry wanted to fight for American Independence and tried to persuade the colonists to fight for it too in his speech at the Virginia Convention.

“Unite the liberality with just frugality; always reserve something for the hand of charity; and never let your door be closed to the voice of suffering humanity” (“Patrick”). Patrick Henry was an important figure throughout the American revolution. During the revolution, Americans fought against the British for their independence and liberty. Before the war began, Americans were hesitant to fight because they feared the backlash that could have come with if the revolution was unsuccessful, and also because some refused to believe that their motherland would fight against them. Henry felt they had no choice but to battle against Britain and that the war was inevitable, so he decided to speak to the Virginia Convention in hope to rally them. In the “Speech to the Virginia Convention” by Patrick Henry, he uses logos when talking about Britain to persuade the colonists to take up arms.

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.

In the Patrick Henry’s speech at the Virginia Convention Patrick Henry tries to persuade the colonist to fight a war against the English, he does this through several main rhetorical strategies, imagery, emotional appeal, and allusion. Patrick Henry uses imagery to get the listeners attention, as he relates the to the dumb sailors who would get killed by the sirons cause they would be caught in their beauty and singing. Patrick Henry uses emotional appeal to get the listeners on his side, by bringing up slavery because if they do not fight back they can become slaves. Patrick henry uses allusion so he can get the listeners to fight back, he butters them up and gives them a couple reasons on why they should not fight back but then hit them with the news saying that they have to fight back. Patrick Henrys speech was good because he used Imagery, Emotional appeal, and allusion and that really grabbed the listeners attention and made them go to war.

As a king, Henry becomes known for being a man of resilience, strategy, and combat. These traits, according to Machiavelli, are necessary to become the “ideal king.” As stated by Machiavelli, “…a prince ought to have no other aim or thought, nor select anything else for his study, than war and its rules and discipline; for this is the sole art that belongs to him who rules.” (Machiavelli) This can be seen when the Dauphin presents Henry with a gift of tennis balls and an insulting speech practically telling him to stay out of grown men’s affairs. This gives Henry the leverage he needs to start a war with France without looking like the instigator. He can now put the blame of war on the Dauphin and the many lives of whom will be killed. Henry uses this to move toward his strength and show his full potential.

Patrick Henry, one of the most, if not the most, influential politicians of eighteenth century America, wrote, and presented, the Speech in the Virginia Convention during a time of tension between Britain and its Colonies. As a spokesman of the independence movement, Henry continuously faced the threat of persecution by the British, yet he carried on expressing his beliefs explicitly until he earned the opportunity to attend the Virginia Convention, in which he respectfully, but courageously, argued that war with the British was inevitable. In doing this, he rallied the colonists into a fighting spirit, and one month later, the Revolutionary war had begun. Through his use of political rhetorical devices, such as, ethos, pathos, logos, and his infamous fallacy, Patrick Henry influences not only the colonists’ mindsets, but also their actions against the British King.

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Henry V is a wise and loyal king, changing from a wild youth to a mature king. He is described to be an intelligent, thoughtful and an efficient statesman. He thinks carefully whether to invade France or not which represents his responsible character. King Henry gives a very strong speech which gave courage and confidence to his army that they could win the battle. This character describes him to be a king of great ability to fight and having good administrative skills. Throughout the play Henry’s nature is religious, merciful and compassionate.