During the late 1700s, when an emergence of increased nationalism in the American colonies brought forth the need for independence, the majority of American citizens found themselves torn between a deep-rooted loyalty to Mother Britain and the promise of liberties they had ever since been denied. Despite the fact that they had been refused before, some still insisted upon fruitless negotiation with the obstinate King George III. Others, however, argued in favor of war against the tyrant. One prominent political figure and skilled orator, Patrick Henry, contended that American independence was imperative to the rights and liberties of men, and that war was the only solution to their ever-growing problem. At the Second Virginia Convention in Richmond, he addressed the President of the assembly, Peyton Randolph, and other members in an attempt to convince those who were still irresolute on the issue. In “Speech to the Second Virginia Convention”, delegate Patrick Henry uses diction, details, and syntax to create a tone that is fervently patriotic and urgently pleading. …show more content…
Informing the members that there is a “responsibility which we hold to God and our country” not only establishes his ethos, but also defines where he stands on the matter (Pg. 1). Rather than explicitly saying that he is patriotic, Henry’s word choice of “treason” and “disloyalty” act as an antithesis to his views: “I should consider myself as guilty of treason towards my country, and an act of disloyalty towards the Majesty of Heaven, which I revere above all earthly kings…” (Pg. 1). Showing possession of “[his] country” also suggests that Henry has an emotional attachment to and great respect for America, again adding to the patriotic
In doing this Henry forms a connection between the need to have a war and religion. This connection helps attach the reader to Henry's opinions and make them more open to the war. All in all, Henry confronts the delegates of the Virginia Convention with the inevitable British invasions and changes the opinions of the delegates through diction, figurative language and rhetorical
Rhetorical Devices in “Speech in the Virginia Convention” Patrick Henry’s “Speech in the Virginia Convention” was a persuasive speech in favor of the revolution against the British Parliament. Like many people, at the time, Henry wanted to break free from Britain and start the United States of America. He delivered the speech on March 23, 1775 to the Virginia Convention with serious tone in attempt to rally up the convention for war. In the speech Henry used many rhetorical devices to persuade the convention. Some of the more effective devices are restatement, hypophora, and antithesis.
Henry Patrick’s claim in “Speech to the Virginia Convention” is that Britain is constructing an army to seize control of the United States and a war between these countries are inevitable. To validate his claim, Henry uses various rhetorical devices and evidence. The first piece of evidence Henry provides to progress his argument is when he states, “I have but one lamp by which my feet are guided, and that is the lamp of experience. I know no way of judging the future but by the past” (171). Henry claims that his experience for the last 10 years with British ministry has garnered enough experience for him to realize that there is a war coming.
Lawyer and politician, Patrick Henry in his speech, “Give me Liberty Or Give Me Death” (March 23, 1775), explains that he give this plea to urge the old dominion to form militias to defend itself against British. He supports his claim by first using a religious reference to express the themes of freedom, equality, and independence. Then uses a selection of other strategies like rhetorical question and allusion to disprove the opposing arguments and clarify the point he is making. Patrick Henry purpose is to fight back and he wants other to fight with him in order for independence. He creates a powerful and commanding tone for the second Virginia convention.
In the “Speech to the Virginia Convention” given by Patrick Henry to the President in 1775, asserts that the colonists should not be trying to negotiate with the British. His purpose was to convince the audience that they should not be trying to befriend the people of Great Britain rather that they should make Great Britain their foe. Henry uses his speech to appeal to both the President and the colonist through the use of figurative language, tone, and syntax. Patrick Henry’s use of diction, a persuasive and forceful tone, appeal to ethos and pathos, as well as various syntactical elements in his “Speech to the Virginia Convention” shows that the colonists should be fighting to break away from the British monarchy rather than negotiate terms to try and stay under their clutches.
In 1775 the American Colonies stood at a tipping point. Britain and the Colonies had been embroiled in a continuing struggle over numerous injustices, and the Colonies seemed at long last situated to engage in a revolution against Britain. However, the colonial representatives were still tied up in negotiations with Britain, and many delegates of the Virginia Convention wanted to delay actions until the negotiations had concluded. Patrick Henry disagreed with the delay, so he addressed the Convention, arguing for the need to mobilize troops against the British, a request tantamount to treason. Instead of shying away from the polarizing nature of his argument, Henry adopted a respectful, but urgent, tone, crafting an argument that would inspire his audience into action.
Rhetorical Analysis Convincing people of something or to do something is not an easy task but Patrick Henry's “Speech to the Second Virginia Convention” shows how well someone can persuade people when they trust you, appeal to their emotions, or back up what you are saying with facts...ethos, pathos, and logos. The purpose of this speech is to persuade the colonist to fight against the british. Patrick is talking to the members of the virginia convention and what they need to do to become free. Patrick Henry uses ethos to help convince the audience that he knows what he's talking about and how they should trust him.
During this time, religion was very important so it was very crucial for Patrick Henry to mention this in his speech, because it was a main appeal everyone had in common. Finally, Patrick Henry uses the rhetorical appeal of logos, logic appeal. Mr. Henry uses logos when he says, “...what means this martial array, if its purpose be not to force us to submission?”. This is a logical analysis, because he points out that there is no other reason for the warlike products, but for the Americans. Another logical point Mr. Henry makes is when he says “...we have done everything that could be done to avert the storm which is now coming on...petitioned...remonstrated...supplicated...and implored its interposition...
Under the control of the British Parliament in 1775, the American colonies consider going to war in order to gain independence from Britain. In “Patrick Henry’s Speech in the Virginia Convention,” Henry addresses the need for American colonists to work together to stop the British from controlling them. Thus, Henry’s periodic sentence, rhetorical questions, antithesis, and anaphora successfully convince the American colonists to unite against the British and to bring awareness to their wrongdoings. Firstly, Henry applies periodic sentences and rhetorical questions to convey the idea that the American Colonists must fight back against the British by working together if they want to gain freedom. Henry believes that “if [they] wish to
but he has different views than his audience, the Virginia Convention, does. Throughout the speech, Henry uses words like “we” and “ourselves” to show that he is still with the audience, and not against them. Henry continues on in that same paragraph by using pathos. When he said, "Should I keep back my opinions at such a time, through fear of giving offense, I should consider myself guilty of treason towards my own country, and of an act of disloyalty toward the Majesty of Heaven, which I revere above all earthly kings. " He is saying that this is what he needs to do for his God.
Patrick Henry’s “Speech to the Second Virginia Convention” is the most persuasive historical document because of his use of allusions, sense of urgency, and his choice of extremes. Henry wrote his speech and gave it in 1775 in support of fighting the British with the Virginia militia. Henry began his speech with a series of allusions which related closely with what the men at the convention would know best. One of his most influential allusions he made was to the story of Judas in the Bible, telling those listening to not “be betrayed with a kiss” by the King of England (Henry 1). His allusion emphasized the thought that colonists were betrayed by the King while the King tried to show the colonists just how great he felt he was.
His choice of language is effective at evoking emotion. Through rhetorical questions, Henry was able to emphasize his points, and grab the audience’s attention, creating an emotional effect on the listeners. “Is this the part of wise men, engaged in a great and arduous struggle for liberty? Are we disposed to be of the number of those who, having eyes, see not, and, having ears, hear not, the things which so nearly concern their temporal salvation?” These statements prove the speaker’s argument and stir the audience’s emotions.
The purpose of Patrick Henry’s Speech to the Virginia convention was to convince his fellow delegates to fight for their freedom. Henry uses the rhetorical devices of repetition and pathos to effectively get his point across. Henry uses the rhetorical device of repetition through repeatedly referring to the choice of freedom or slavery. He says this more than one time to try and get his point across the the delegates that he is talking to. He believes that american should be free and if we do not become free soon that the british are going to start to treat us like slaves.
Patrick Henry’s, in his speech, Speech in Virginia Convention, he emphasizes that. Henry’s purpose is to use emotional appeal to establish that if they were tired of the British pushing them around then they needed to make a stand. He adopts an insightful tone in order to justify that Americans will have to take action. Henry, in his first paragraph, established the classical appeal of ethos to set his credibility for his audience.
In Patrick Henry's speech to the Second Virginia Convention, he uses a metaphor to compare the conflict between the colonists and Britain to a storm. He talks about everything the colonists have already done to resolve the tension with Britain. Henry then tries to convince those listening to his speech that fighting is their only option