Rhetorical Analysis Of Speech In The Virginia Convention By 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’s diction portrays the British as untrustworthy and dishonorable. In the beginning of his speech, Henry states that he considers the need of independence from the British “nothing less than a question of freedom or slavery.” The words “freedom” and “slavery” are provided as ultimatums in which one can only have one, not both. The negative connotation conveyed through the word “slavery” make the delegates in the convention compare their situation of being ruled by the Britains to that of a slave and slave owner, leading to the consensus of the immorality displayed by the British. Therefore the delegates feel the absolute power the British have over the American colonists which incites a fear over their lack of control. The word “freedom” is most commonly associated with something one must fight to win. Through this word, Henry is able to imply to his audience that the Americans must fight with the Britains in order to gain freedom. In addition, when describing the military preparations the British are taking, Henry expresses that “these war-like preparations … cover American

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.

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.

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

In order to downgrade the actions by the English government, Henry describes them to be “implements of war and subjugation” as they “darken our land” and “cover our waters.” He uses an appeal to logos infused with emotion to depict to his fellow committee why America needs to fight against Britain because they are imminent. Summarizing his speech, Henry ends with his most memorable demand: “give me liberty or give me death!” These final words portray Henry’s dedication to his country and his willingness to fight to the death. Henry appeals to pathos through his intensity and patriotism that place fear in his colonists to want to fight for independence against Britain rather than

Patrick Henry, in his speech to those gathered at the Virginia Convention and president Peyton Randolph, explains how the United States needs to fight in the Revolutionary War. Henry supports his statement by describing how important it is to answer the call for war. The author’s purpose is to emphasize how the war is inevitable in order to convince the president that they should definitely fight in it. Henry speaks in an inspirational and patriotic tone to those listening in on his speech. He establishes many rhetorical strategies to influence the president's decision including rhetorical questions, anaphora, and repetition. Henry emphasizes how the war cannot be avoided and tries to inspire the audience to fight in the war by addressing the

Patrick Henry, born in Virginia in 1736, was a lawyer and great orator, as well as public officer for nearly 30 years, who believed strongly in citizens’ right to bear arms, especially in face of Great Britain’s injustice towards the colonists, and whose speech to the Virginia Convention lead to the persuasion of his delegation and, therefore, participated in the start of the Revolutionary War. (Probst 100) (Colonial Williamsburg Patrick Henry). In his speech, Henry, whose patriotism had lead him to represent his region since 1765, addressed those who did not want to organize a militia for Virginia. (Probst 100) (Henry 102). One of the first and most important arguments Henry makes is that the question of whether or not to organize a

“Give me liberty or give me death!” This statement from Patrick Henry’s “Speech to the Virginia Convention,” delivered to the House of Burgesses, has been quoted by many, becoming almost cliché. However, the declaration is truly understood by a select few. The unjust Stamp Act passed by the British crown in 1765, brought fame and notoriety to Henry as he spoke out against the unjust taxation without representation. Ten years later on the eve of revolution, Henry calls upon the Colonial government of which he is part, to act for the betterment of the people. Patrick Henry attempts to persuade the House of Burgesses to revolt and declare war against Britain by logically convincing them that it is their natural right to be free and calling on

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.

Henry constantly implies that choosing the latter may be harmful to the colonists, as it will not bring them peace. Henry expresses that in order to be free, colonists need to unite and engage in war against the British. To convey his perception that Britain uses Americans as slaves, Henry instruments imagery when he says that the “[Americans have] chains [that are] forged” and that the “clanking [of the chains] can be heard on the plains of Boston!” Henry intends to persuade the members of the convention to believe that if the British continue to exercise power over the colonies, the colonists will become prisoners under Britain’s control. A famous line from this speech is “give me liberty or give me death,” which is a parallel sentence, specifically an antithesis, because liberty and death are two contrasting ideas that are deemed of equal importance. The antithesis strengthens his argument that the colonists have the power to decide how to continue dealing with the British. By implying that choosing to side with Britain obstructs freedom and limits the choices of the people, he offers a glimpse of the dire consequences that lie before the colonists. In addition, by stating that he would rather choose to die than live under such dreadful consequences, he transfers his despair onto his audience. By employing parallel structure and imagery, Henry conveys his opinion that being under the control of Britain will only lead to slavery and urges them to fight against its tyrannical

To appeal to them emotionally, he focuses on their pride, something people tend to care highly about. He likens England’s grip on the colonists to slavery, “There is no retreat but in submission and slavery! Our chains are forged!”, to make his audience think about how powerless they are to England in that moment. He implies that England is taking away what they believe should be their free will to govern on their own behalf (Henry 2). No one wishes to relinquish control of his own life and turn it over to someone else and therefore this becomes a matter of pride. He urges the men not to allow their voices to be silences by any form of government. By exclaiming “[the chains] clanking may be heard on the plains of Boston” he notes that England is making a public mockery of the colonists, and the whole country will be aware of their failure if they refuse to stand up for themselves. He again speaks to the men’s pride when he notes “They tell us, sir, that we are weak; unable to cope with so formidable an adversary” (Henry 2). He knows the men do not want to appear as such to the people who trust them to lead, and in making this point he is urging the men to find their inner voice and rise up to reclaim their power against the tyrannical English

Henry begins his speech by being very respectful and showing flattery toward the colonists. He says things such as, “Mr. President,” and “very worthy gentlemen,” in order to gain their ears. Henry gives them a sense of confidence which makes them feel respected. Henry hope by doing this, that the colonists will reciprocate and show respect back. When people have respect for each other, they are more likely to see eye to eye. Henry then starts talking about God and religion in his speech. He talks about his “responsibility to God,” and says “majesty of heaven, which I revere above all earthly kings.” Henry ,makes it known that he puts God frist, and does this because he knows the colonists are Christian men. By aligning his goals with God, he is also aligning them with the people he’s talking to. Henry uses this same strategy again by revealing his patriotism. Henry goes on to say dramatically, “For my own part I consider it as nothing less than a question of freedom or slavery,” He uses extreme exaggeration hoping

To convince the colonists to see his point of view and support his idea, Patrick Henry opens his speech by repeatedly stressing that there is no other way but to fight for their freedom. He mentions God and his power will lead America through the fight, he tried to motivate people’s spirits by uses biblical passages. Numerous rhetorical devices have been used in his speech to emphasize on the issues that important to the colonists in order to get the colonists willing to raise up their arms and fight for the Britain.