Rhetorical Analysis Of Patrick Henry's Speech To The Virginia Convention

“Give me liberty or give me death!” (72). These are the famous words Patrick Henry delivered to the delegates of Virginia in 1775. As times of war were quickly approaching the colonies, Henry gave this speech to the Virginia Convention, urging the delegates to fight against Britain. These passionate words continue to ring over the United States today, now a free nation partially due to his patriotic speech. How was Henry able to persuade the delegates on such a controversial topic at the time? With the use of repetition, metaphors, and rhetorical questions, Henry is able to create the persuasive piece of literature, Speech in the Virginia Convention, that not only changed the views of the delegates in 1775, but changed the future of America.
Repetition is often used in oral literature to emphasize key or important points. Since this piece was originally spoken as a speech to the delegates, Henry uses repetition throughout it. His most obvious use of repetition is when he states “we must fight! I repeat is, sir, we must fight!” (72). This not only emphasizes his main point of the speech, but

captures his audiences attention to this important point. Henry also states how much he respects these “worthy gentlemen,” and how he hopes his opinion “will not be thought disrespectful,” (71). He shows his respect through the repetition of word “sir,” (71 and 72) and the phrase “Mr. President,” (71 and 72). By repeating these things, Henry shows he means not to offend these men, but only to state what he believes is right. He is respectful because he wants his opinion valued by the other delegates, even though it may be different. Henry also continually compares the colonies connection to Britain or freedom from Britain to “freedom or slavery, (71). He repeats this metaphor because it hits home with his audience, the delegates, who know how brutal it can be to be a slave. This emphasizes the horror of being tied to Britain, and how they must urgently break away. Henry also repeats the idea of how they “have done everything can,” so the delegates feel like they only have the option to fight left, emphasizing Henry’s main point (72).
Another rhetorical device Henry uses is metaphors.

Henry uses multiple metaphors in his speech to show that he is an intelligent and well educated man, therefore, his opinion should be held to a higher standard. For example, he uses the metaphors “I have one lamp by which my feet are guided, and that is the lamp of experience,” and the metaphor about “listening to the song of that siren,” to show that he is an educated man with a valuable opinion (71). Henry uses metaphors in other ways too, such as the metaphor “we have done everything to avert the oncoming storm,” (72). This metaphor is used to show the ferocity of Britain by comparing it to a storm. Henry uses this to convince delegates that a war with Britain is unavoidable, and that they might as well fight in it. Henry uses a similar metaphor of “hugging the delusive phantom of hope,” to convey the same message

(72).
To provoke thought in this piece, Henry asks rhetorical questions. The most important question Henry asks is about Britains armies and navies, and if they truly have have “any enemy in this quarter of the world,” to bring forth all of these forces (71-72). The answer is obviously no, unless Britain wanted to pick a fight with them. Asking this question convinces the delegates to fight Britain even more by questioning their armies. Henry also questions other options, such as petitioning, by stating “is it that insidious smile with which our petition has been lately received?” (72). This is to convince the delegates that their only option left is to fight Britain, because sending documents is pointless, and will only be received as a joke. Henry also brings up questions such as “when shall we be stronger?” and “why stand we here idle?” to convince the delegates that the time to fight is now, and they should not wait any longer (72).
This is one of the most famous and persuasive speeches in American history.Henry’s use of intelligent metaphors and thought provoking questions is a big contributing factor to why America is a free country today. Without the help of the intelligent men who wrote persuasive pieces such as these about going to war with Britain, we might still be under a tyrannical rule today. Part of this can be owed to Patrick Henry’s speech, therefore, part of our freedom as a country can be owed to him as well.