On March 23, 1775, Patrick Henry, writer of the famous speech, “Give Me Liberty or Give Me Death,” captured a thousand listeners with his persuasive words during the boycott of British goods. During this time, the American Revolution was taking place and for Patrick Henry to make such a worthy speech without any preparations deserves a massive round of applause. The area St. John’s Church Richmond, Virginia was a chosen place that a hundred delegates would have a political meeting to the Virginia Convention but during this time Patrick Henry made an unprepared speech. In his speech, he represents the people’s needs and problems about the bloodlust of war and how an army should be created on the behalf of the people. He makes valid statements …show more content…
In his speech, he claims the British military have no interest in peace but play it out as if they want it. Henry begins to experience the same feelings the people have and makes himself no different from the colonists because he relates to the people using words such as “we,” “our,” “us”. Henry has created himself to be lesser than his high position as a delegate which swayed the people to him even more because the people value their liberty as American patriots. In his speech, he begins to relate to the colonists because of how the British have made them feel used and inferior. His words stirred up emotion and convinced many of the people to listen more because he was on their side rather than the British higher officials. Many of the people themselves did not want to go to battle because of the enjoyment of bloodshed, but rather for the protection and freedom much needed. Even the soldiers that were spoken to felt the need to give up since the war was only a disillusion for the supposed peace by the British …show more content…
He makes a comparsion with a lamp and experience to show that were ever he goes knowledge will always follow. He also asks many rhetorica questions to the colonists to make them question whether or not they should be held down, “ But when shall we be stronger? Shall it be the next week, or the next year?” Henry uses imagery to create a visual in the audiences might what could be the future of the American people. Since he uses imagery he compares non realistic things to things that are real. Henry’s use of devices in his speech put the pieces together for the colonists to understand. Patrick Henry’s “Give Me Liberty or Give Me Death” speech molded itself with the multiple use of persuasive appeals to prove his point. His point overall was to get the people to understand that they should fight for their thirteen colonies independence. And by using a variety of speaking tools, Henry has created one of the most motivating speeches in America’s
Patrick Henry’s effective diction emphasizes how much the British had suppressed the colonists and that it was time to fight for their freedom. Henry displays this through his strong use of pathos, logos, and ethos. His rhetorical questions really appeal to the logic and ethics of the colonists and leaves the no choice but to join him and rebel.
The 1770s proved to be a time of much chaos and debate. The thirteen colonies, which soon gained their independence, were in the midst of a conflict with Great Britain. The colonies were suffering from repeated injuries and usurpations inflicted upon them by the British. As a result of these inflictions, Thomas Paine and Patrick Henry addressed these injustices, and proved to be very persuasive through providing reasoning and evidence that moved many colonists to believe that to reach contentment and peace the colonies had to rid themselves of British rule. Henry and Paine were successful in swaying their audience, not only because of the rhetorical strategies used, but also because they were passionate about the cause they were committed to.
Patrick Henry was known as “the Orator of Liberty” and created his name with his speeches. When colonists were divided in 1775, some were hoping to work it out but not Patrick Henry. He thought the only choice was to go to war with Great Britain. Henry uses ethos, pathos, and logos to show his clause for going to war with Britain.
The use of the anadiplosis, “I know of no way of judging of the future but by the past. And judging by the past, I wish to know what there had been in the conduct of the British ministry...with which gentlemen...solace themselves and the house?”, further strengthens his use of logic by presenting the Congress with evidence of the British ministry’s insidious ways. He then inquires the Congress, through a series of rhetorical questions, such as, “Are fleets and armies necessary to a work of love and reconciliation?”, in order to scrutinize the actions of the British ministry, causing fear of the future and of reconciliation to resonate within the Congress. Patrick Henry uses a hypophora when saying, “Has Great Britain any enemy in this quarter of the world, to call for all his accumulation of navies and armies? No, sir, she had none.” This clearly indicates that the British have sent armies across the sea in order to do battle with America, that there is no other outcome but one of war. Patrick Henry delivers more parallelism throughout his speech as it escalates to draw out emotions such as anger. For example, he repeats the words ‘petitioned’, ‘remonstrated’, ‘supplicated’, and ‘prostrated’, to convey the frustration of seceding from Great Britain. By using the symploce and epimone in, “If we wish to be free, if we mean to
When it comes to the topic of the American Revolution, most of us will readily agree that it influenced essentially every code of ethics in today’s society. Patrick Henry and Thomas Paine address an identical topic. That is, they both provided inspiration to the American Revolution cause. Patrick henry on one point of view, speaks of the harshness of the British rule over the American colonies. In his statement, Patrick Henry addresses the oppressive British rule and emphasis grounds to maintain basic human rights. “Common Sense”, on the other hand stresses on the trials and tribulations of the American colonies under the British rule. With the use of persuasion in their writings, both Henry and Paine support the war against the Great Britain.
Patrick Henry uses rhetorical questions to make his audience contemplate about the answers to those questions. When an audience member replies with an answer, this will further the support for Henry’s argument. The supporting evidence from this answer will help develop his claim even more, therefore making his argument additionally valid. Patrick Henry also uses rhetorical questions to cause compelling reactions in his audience that will hopefully bring them to his side of the
The eighteenth century, a time of turmoil and chaos in the colonies, brought many opinionated writers to the forefront in support or refutation of the coming American Revolution. This highly controversial war that would ultimately separate the future United States of America from Great Britain became the center of debate. Two writers, both of whom supported the Revolution, now stand to fully illuminate one side of the debate. Thomas Paine, a radical propagandist, wrote many pieces during this time including “The Crisis Number 1” (1776). Through writing, he appealed to the “common man” in order to convince them to gather their arms and fight for their freedom. In this document, he utilizes many of the same rhetorical skills and propaganda techniques as Patrick Henry, a convincing orator, did in his famous speech delivered to the state’s delegates in 1775. Among these techniques are transfer, abstract language, and pathos. In both works, these were used to call the audiences to war. These influential pieces both contained a call to action which, through the use of strong and decisive language, aided the beginning of the American Revolution.
...ican. Henry made great effort to constantly put God first in not only his life, but in the messages that he shared with people. Amongst this, he loved his nation, especially the people of Virginia. The opinions he had regarding the Revolutionary war, were vividly explained in this speech. Mr. Henry was passionate about peace, and the love that God had for the world. He had a very strong faith, and never hesitated to express what he had learned in his Bible studies. Specifically in this message, Henry used several different Biblical themes as a way to draw in his audience. In using his knowledge of the Bible he was able to precisely get the point a crossed that he was trying to make clear. Henry believed in the freedom of the people just as God had intended it to be. If this would mean to fight for that right, then he was ready to put forth everything that he had.
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 their patriotism and pride as leaders of colonial America. Throughout his speech, Henry justifies his argument for going to war, by logically explaining himself to the leaders of the American colonies. Obviously “men often see the same subject in different light.” Therefore, Patrick Henry uses this in a step-by-step explanation of why he believes that the colonies should join together in revolt. He states, because men have different views, he wishes to express his own, without “be[ing] disrespectful,” to anyone in the House.
Without the ability to connect with the audience, Henry’s oration would have lacked the substantial influence it had. Throughout the speech, he establishes an emotional connection with the audience. One way he did this was when he framed his speech as a polite rebuttal of his peers. Even when Henry speaks vehemently on the subject, he ensures that the audience recognizes he respects their opinions equally. This is seen in the beginning of the piece when he says “...different men often see the
Patrick Henry was a Virginian patriot who was well known for his skill in persuasive oratory. One of his most famous speeches was titled "Liberty or Death" after it was delivered to president Peyton Randolph at the Virginia Convention on March 23, 1775. This speech was very much persuasive in its nature and delivery. The speech lacks much, if any, actual facts to back up Henry's opinions which suggested that it was formulated on his feet without much reseach or preparation. The body of the speech is expressing Henry's views on the American Revolution and his desire to separate from Great Britain. It is important to note that vocalizing such views while the colonies were still considered to be subjects of the British crown was considered to
Patrick Henry was born in Hanover County, Virginia on May 29, 1736. He delivered the famous “Give Me Liberty or Give Me Death” speech. Patrick protested against British Tyranny and was a symbol of the American struggle for liberty. He served in the Virginia House of Burgesses and the Continental Congress. In Patrick Henry’s speech at the Virginia Convention called, “Give Me Liberty or Give Me Death!”, he used a lot of example of ethos, pathos, and logos, along with rhetoric terms. This made his speech stronger in his opinion on how he saw things the way they were and made him consider if he “Should I keep back my opinions at such a time, through fear of giving offense,” (Henry, Para. 1) but realized that it was important to share what he believed was right or “I should consider myself as guilty of treason towards my country, and of an act of disloyalty toward the Majesty of Heaven, which I revere above all earthly kings” (Para. 1).
In conclusion, Patrick Henry's “Speech to the Second Virginia Convention uses imagery, diction, and details to build the impatient tone of the speech giving his view on what should be done in terms of breaking away from Great Britain. Henry's use of tone helps to further the reader's understanding of the predicament the United Stated was in before the start of the revolutionary war. Tone is also used to sway the reader to the conclusion that war is the only logical course of action
In conclusion when addressing an audience it is important to draw upon the audiences interests and to establish credibility in the subject being presented. In Henry’s case his speech which was more serious which had been war, had to be handled with care and acknowledgement of the audiences feelings. To take something away from this speech would be to have a dream and present it to people in the same way you believe in it, this worked a lot better rather than speaking about a plan and presenting it people. For if you tell people a plan they are not invested in you, where as they would possibly be more invested if you told them your dream and knowledge as you develop your credibility with them.
On March 23, 1775 a well-known Delegate by the name of Patrick Henry presented his most legendary speech “Liberty or Death’ amongst his fellow audience members while appearing at the House of Burgess in Richmond Virginia. Patrick Henry respectfully introduced his visions on the situation he was addressing and voiced certain actions that should be engaged regarding the conflict with the Brittan’s. Henry used rhetorical approaches in order to convince the members in the audience that Liberty is worth fighting for as citizens of the United States of America. Henrys used motivational and responsive words through ideas that produced a powerful speech that resonated so strongly with is audience.