Rhetorical Analysis Of Patrick Henry

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 first appeal that Henry uses in his speech is ethos which appeals to ethics. Evidence from the text is, “fulfill the great responsibility which we hold to God and our country” (lines 13-14). This shoes that God has credibility. It also shows that you need to respect God over Britain. The next piece of evidence that I found in the speech is whenever the text said, “…and of an act of disloyalty towards the majesty of heaven, which I revere above all earthly kings” (lines 16-17). This is saying that you should respect God above man. That is two ways how Henry used the ethical appeal, ethos.
The next appeal that he uses in his speech is pathos which appeals to emotions. Evidence that I found from this text is, “…less than a question of freedom of slavery” (line 10). This explains that he thinks about being a slave, and it’s showing his emotions towards that thought. Another piece of evidence is whenever the text says, “we are apt to shut our eyes against a painful truth…till she transforms us into beasts”

The first piece of evidence that I found is, “Let us not deceive ourselves, sir…They are meant for us; they can ne meant for no other” (lines 41-47). This explaining why are there extra troops and military? It makes them think why use all extra? Not on us? Another piece of evidence is whenever the text said, “And what have we to oppose to them? ... Shall we resort to entreaty and humble supplications?” (lines 50-54). This here is explaining they need to think about the past and that nothing has changed. That is two ways how Henry used the logic appeal,