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Patrick Henry said “The war is inevitable-and let it come!” because he believed colonists should be ready for the Revolution. Men gathered at the Virginia House of Burgesses to discuss further actions to obtain American Liberty. People feared what could happen to the colonies should they continue under Britain. At this time people were mostly interested in learning and teaching based on reason. During this time people struggled to have their own opinions due to the fear that Britain would have them executed. Patrick Henry used pathos in his “Speech to the Virginia Convention” and it persuaded colonists because he appealed to the colonists emotions. Henry did so by mainly using loaded words in his speech and using imagery. It is important for
him to persuade the colonists because they do not see the same view. He uses pathos the most in his speech by using loaded words and he uses them to emphasize. “For my own part I consider it as nothing less than a question of freedom or slavery; and in proportion to the magnitude… of the debate” (Henry 102). This quote is effective because his use of “slavery” is used to scare the colonists. It scares colonists because they know how slaves are treated, he also uses imagery. Once again Henry uses loaded words to reveal a possible reality to colonists. “ There is no retreat, but in submission and slavery! Our chains are forged! Their clanking may be heard on the plains of Boston!” (Henry 104). One reason this is effective is because he says “heard”, which is uses using imagery to appeal to the colonists senses. This also works to persuade is because he is somewhat giving confidence to over power Britain. Throughout his speech he uses “slavery” as a comparison to what could happen. Patrick Henry uses pathos to his advantage in his “Speech to the Virginia Convention”. He strongly supports the idea that colonists should be prepared to fight against Britain. Patrick Henry's finishing words in his speech were “I know not what course others may take; but as for me, give me liberty, or give me death.”
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.
There were many similarities and differences between speech styles of the early 1700's and the late 1700's. Speakers were known to use persuasive techniques in these time periods to influence their audience's opinions. Speakers were also using an oratory approach to their speeches. Two speakers of this time period were Jonathan Edwards and Patrick Henry. The persuasive techniques of these speakers were different due to their topics, their purpose, and their messages being conveyed, yet they were similar due to their authority, their strong sense of emotion, and their belief in their subjects.
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.
There are few speeches in the American history that compel us towards great acts of patriotism. Patrick Henry's speech in the Virginia Provincial Convention of 1775 is a prime example of one of these great speeches. During the debates on whether or not to compromise with Great Britain, Patrick Henry proposed the idea to his fellow members of the First Continental Congress to declare war on Great Britain. A reason why the speech was so powerful was the rhetorical strategies of the diction of slavery, the appeal to God, and the appeal to logic, that he deftly employed.
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.
These two speeches were written in a time of distress and loads of pressure. The American colonies were starting to take a stand against the British reign and become independent. Thomas Jefferson and Patrick henry were one of the most influential voices of this time period. However “The Speech to Virginia Convention” was written to get the people on board to fight and in this way, written more persuasive than “The Declaration of Independence”.
In Patrick Henry's "Speech to the Virginia Convention" -March 20, 1775- he utilizes the three pillars of rhetoric which are Ethos, Logos, and Pathos to persuade his fellow delegates to rally with him against the tyranny of Great Britain. Henry knew that he had to persuade the delegates and get their support in order to break out of their oppressive relationship with Great Britain.
The Vietnam War of 1954 was a long and costly fight between North Vietnam, who was communist, and South Vietnam, who was allied with the United States. Author George Black stated, “Between 1961 and 1971, about 20 million gallons of herbicides were dropped on South Vietnam, exposing as many as 4.8 million people to toxic chemicals” (Black 19). The conflict of the war led to division among the Americans, before and after the withdrawal of U.S. soldiers in 1973. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. was an American that spoke out against this war. By using ethos, pathos, and repetition in his speech, Dr. King encouraged his fellow Americans to speak out against the war. Ethos is the writer’s authority to deal with a topic, while pathos appeals to the listeners’
In the early days of America two brilliant speeches were made. One, by Jonathan Edwards, a Zealous preacher during The Great awakening when American began to take interest in religion. Edwards gave his sermon at Enfield, Connecticut in 1741 to a group of "natural men" who had not accepted Jesus at there savor. The next Speaker Patrick Henry, A young Representative in Virginia house of Burgesses in 1775, who gave his fierce speech on the impending crises facing America of a British invasion, hoping to get his armed. Both speakers use metaphors and repetition to persuade there audience to the cause.
On March 23, 1775, Patrick Henry delivered the infamous speech at the Virginia Convention. Not only did his speech influence the push of the American Revolution; but it also includes literary genius. What makes it genius is the way he effectively utilizes ethos, pathos, and logos.
Patrick Henry was trying to prevent the worst that could happen to America by trying to encourage them to go out and fight before the British took over. “But when shall we be stronger? Will it be the next week, or the next year? Will
Often the first battles for change are with ink and spoken word. Rhetoric in language is key to making the word impact others in such a way it creates a movement. These movements serve the desires of those who initially write them out. Patrick Henry’s “Speech in the Virginia Convention” is meant to convince the colonists that war is the only way to for them to be free from Britain and to rally the colonists together as one nation against the British in the coming conflict.
The Doctrine of Ethos states that music effects character and emotion of man by way of morals or ethics. It was arranged into certain scales, each with a certain characteristic. Specific scales were said to be able to inspire rage or sadness. Some were said to inspire happiness, and one was even said to weaken the mind due to its simplicity. Greek music, of which the Doctrine of Ethos specifically talked about, wasn’t just solely instrumental. Improvising, they usually incorporated lyrics and even dance. Music was studied by the Greeks on a level that would be considered excessive in our society by all but our musicologists, ethnomusicologist, music theorists, and a small minority that take their love of music to more than just an aesthetic level. In our world, a world of empiricism and skepticism, the Doctrine of Ethos may sound a bit hard to believe. It may even sound magical and mystical, but I feel that it has some deep roots in truth. Philosophers, musicians, and even the layman have all theorized about the effect of music on the mind, body, and soul. After all, as William Congreve said in his The Mourning Bride, “Music hath charms to soothe a savage breast, to soften rocks, or bend a knotted oak.”
Over the years Britain has pushed the colonist to the max for instance they would enforce taxation without representation because they had the power to, and they would also be taking freedom from them to show power. An individual named Thomas Paine spoke out directly about this in his "Crisis" document "Britain, with army to enforce her tyranny, has declared that she has a right (not only to TAX) but "to BIND us in ALL CASES WHATSOEVER" and if being bound in that matter, is not slavery then is there not such a thing as slavery upon earth" (Paine). Another great Patriot is Patrick Henry with his most famous words "Give me Liberty or Give Me Death". Patrick Henry basically said "enough is enough we will fight back no matter what happens" in his "Give me Liberty or Give Me Death" speech. He talked about how war was inevitable so let it come. He mock Loyalist who cried, peace, peace because he knew that there was no peace with Great Britain. He mocks the loyalist in this quote " Gentlemen cry, Peace, Peace—but there is no peace."(Henry). He also states about war cannot be avoidable and he wants it to come,"The war is inevitable—and let it come! I repeat it, sir, let it come."
Now that the colonies minds are spinning, Patrick Henry stands and proclaims his “Speech in the Virginia Convention”. The attitude of Henry declares, not one of mild safety but one that recommends a wakeup call even if the call means to fight. “I consider it nothing less than a question of freedom or slavery,” says Henry. People are now beginning to think even more for themselves, create their own thoughts and ideas, and form their own opinions outwardly. This is the second wake up call and the people are beginning to logically arise from their deep sleep in the age of