Patrick Henry Speech Rhetorical Analysis

Patrick Henry, a brilliant orator that gave the famous speech “Speech to the Virginia Convention”, was not always the most successful. At age 15. Henry ran a store for his father however, the business failed and so he tasted his first taste of failure. The speech occurs during the Revolutionary War, which is roughly from 1775 to 1783. The citizens at this time were very religious and fearful. In Patrick Henry’s famous speech “Speech to the Virginia Convention”, he uses the persuasive technique pathos in order to persuade delegates into joining the war through fear and guilt.

Patrick Henry was an American attorney and politician in Virginia during the 1700’s. Henry is most famously known for a speech he gave to the Second Virginia Convention in 1750. In his speech, Henry uses pathos to connect with the convention by utilizing their religious and social beliefs. He also uses anaphora and juxtaposition in order to persuade the Second Virginia Convention to join the Revolutionary War.

Would America be the same country if it was not for some of our founding fathers and their contributions? If you take Patrick Henry out of the equation, the answer could very well be, ‘Yes’. Patrick Henry played a very prominent role in the success of America’s independence. Along with Thomas Jefferson and Richard Henry Lee, Patrick Henry helped create the Virginia House of Burgesses to resolve the tumultuous state of the colonies. In the early spring of 1775, Patrick Henry met with members of the second Virginia Convention to discuss the need for a military mobilization against the British. Henry spoke to fellow citizens of Virginia in Richmond at what is now St. John’s Church. He spoke with intimacy, fervor, passion, and showed an undeniable support to fight against the English government. His use of ethos, pathos, and logos effectively persuaded opponents and supporters of the Revolution to unite and fight British tyranny for American independence.

March 23rd, 1775, Patrick Henry speaks at the Virginia Convention. While everyone else wants to tip toe around the fact of war and wants to keep the peace. Patrick Henry doesn’t and gives it to everyone straight in his words, “- give me liberty or give me death!” I will be giving a rhetorical analysis breaking down each and every piece of his speech.

In the 1700s, the United States was undergoing several reformations. Patrick Henry was a famous politician fighting for independence from Great Britain. Patrick Henry, in his speech to the “Second Virginia Convention”, using diction, imagery, and details portrays a patriotic tone.

Eric Eronimous Per. 2 Patrick Henry played a very prominent role in the success of America’s independence. Along with Thomas Jefferson and Richard Henry Lee, Patrick Henry helped create the Virginia House of Burgesses to resolve the state of the colonies. In the early spring of 1775, Patrick Henry met with members of the second Virginia Convention to discuss the need for a military mobilization against the British. In “Give Me Liberty or Give Me Death”, Patrick Henry uses metaphors, pathos, diction, to convince Americans that they need a militia, in order to stand against the betrayals of the British Parliament.

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.

It was 1775. War was looming over the British Colonies like a thundercloud yet to strike. Yet, somehow, many high-ranking Virginian delegates thought otherwise. However, one skilled politician decided to express his own feelings. Patrick Henry, a well-taught lawyer and orator from Hanover County Virginia, shared his bold feelings with roughly 120 Virginian leaders during the 1775 Virginia Convention in Richmond Virginia. Mr. Henry’s objective was to convince the convention that Britain had already crossed the line in a way that many thought to be incomprehensible to the naked eye. Britain was trying to keep their unclenching grip on the colonies by any means necessar y, such as bringing in large armies of red coats and crowding the waters with

On September the 11th, 2001 our nation was the victim of a tragic terrorist attack. A year later nothing had been done about it. Due to this fact, President Bush gave a speech to congress “President Bush Outlines Iraqi Threat”, that was also nationally televised, trying to get the authority to use military force against Iraq. American Revolutionary Patrick Henry gave a similar speech “Speech to the Virginia Convention”, 227 years earlier, trying to convince Virginia State Delegates to go to separate from England, although the speeches were given hundreds of years apart Bush’s and Henry’s speeches are rhetorically alike in terms of antithesis, pathos, and loaded language.

The year was 1775, and King George III was the ruler of the British Empire. His numerous “offenses” against the American colonies had caused an upset within them. The colonies held multiple conventions in which they determined what they would do in retaliation. At the second Virginia convention, one Patrick Henry gave the notoriously famous speech, later named “Liberty or Death”, where he attempted to convince the Virginia delegates to go to war against Britain with the other colonies.

“I know not what others may choose but, as for me, give me liberty or give me death” (Henry). These famous words were delivered by the young Virginia representative, Patrick Henry, on March 23rd of 1775. He was a driving force in the upbringing of America and his use of pathos greatly influenced the nation’s future. Similar to most American politicians of the time, he was highly antagonistic towards British control in the colonies, and thus feared that if U.S. forces were not armed against them, the future of the nation would be in peril. In Patrick Henry’s “Speech to the Virginia Convention”, he utilizes pathos as a tool to aide him in persuading the Virginia Assembly to prepare America’s troops for battle against the British by evoking trepidation and concern from within his audience.

Throughout history, historical events have been relived and experienced by many in the present day through various scriptures and texts. From shocking testimonies, and inspirational speeches to intriguing journal entries, and questionable declarations, literature has allowed society, no matter the time, to go back and learn about past events that helped define the present society. Through these pieces of literature and their literary devices, readers are able to immerse themselves into the past by exposing themselves to historical figures’ persuasions and intentions through their creations. One of these pieces of literature that demonstrates these qualities is Patrick Henry’s Address to the Virginia Convention written in 1775. In Patrick Henry’s speech, he uses literary devices, such as diction, tone and syntax, to help the readers understand and relate to the author’s purpose in calling the Virginia Convention to action for one of the most historical moments in United Stated history, the American Revolution. The author uses these literary devices to persuade and encourage rebellious behavior in the audience, by creating a unifying, inspirational and rebellious tone to get them to support America’s impending fight for freedom, liberty and independence from British oppression.

"Give me liberty, or give me death." a speech given by Patrick Henry to convince the delegates to break away from Britain colonial rule. Britain was viewed as a threat. During the speeches, he complimented his opponents in order to gain their respect and trust. Since his audience respected and admire him, they were more willing to listen to whatever he had to say. If he didn’t speak his mind, nothing would had being done to fix this problems. Also, Henry had ways to make people agree with his ideas. Obviously, By laying out his hard truth and being very persuasive. We need more people like Patrick Henry in our government today fighting for our rights and less controlling government. He was a true speaker who strongly believed in liberty

When Patrick Henry gave his famous Give Me Liberty Or Give Me Death speech he proved that pens are indeed mightier than swords. That speech undoubtedly lead to the formation of the great nation that we now live in today.

According to Patrick Henry, “I know not what course others may take; but as for me, give me liberty or give me death!” (Henry 7). Patrick Henry was able to give an outstanding speech at the Virginia Convention, regarding the actions needing to be taken by the colonists. This speech included the criticizing and denouncing of Great Britain, along with the urging of the colonists to fight for independence. This including that the colonists need to become prepared because the unjust actions of the British were not simply going to go away. Henry urges the colonists to fight for the freedom that they rightfully deserve, and he does it extremely well. In Patrick Henry’s ‘Speech to the Virginia Congress’, he demonstrates passionate pathos appeals and rhetorical questioning to persuade the colonists to stand up for themselves and join the fight for their freedom.