Analysis Of Patrick Henry's Revolutionary Speech

Rhetorical strategies are a necessity for persuasion. Patrick Henry demonstrates this notion in his speech to the Virginia Convention. Henry’s rhetorical strategies of rhetorical questioning and refuting opposing arguments supports his argument that America must go to war with Britain. One of Henry’s main assertions is that the British are already preparing for war with the colonies. By asking the delegates of the Virginia Convention if “fleets and armies” are “necessary to a work of love and reconciliation,” Henry questions the British’s motives (Henry).

In the years leading up to the American Revolution, there was a tense relationship between the colonists and their British rulers. Large gatherings in the colonies to discuss the grievances caused by the actions of the British were common. Patrick Henry applies the rhetorical strategies of allusions and repetition in his “Speech in the Virginia Convention” to assert that the colonists should believe fighting for their freedom and rights is necessary and that they must fight as soon as possible. Although Henry has rather radical beliefs in comparison to the other members of the Convention, he connects with them through religious and literary allusions that are able to convince them of his assertions. In his speech, Henry alludes to

Delegate and lawyer Patrick Henry rallies up the other delegates in his "Speech to the Virginia Convention". Henry fills the colonists' minds with imagery and powerful syntax to convince the members to fight in a war later named the American Revolution. His patriotic and zealous speech uses a variety of rhetorical devices to convey this sense of desperation that this is the last hope: to fight. He begins by building his ethos and displays his counterargument. Henry states that the other men of the convention have different views than his but it would be "treason" if he did not speak his proposition.

In Thomas Jefferson’s “Declaration of Independence,” he uses rhetorical devices to convey his purpose which is to say that colonies have decided to break their bond with the King and Great Britain and to explain their reasoning. One of the devices used the most to convey his purpose was parallelism. Jefferson also uses repetition to make his reasons clear. Some might think that his use of restatement further makes his points clear; however, they are wrong. Jefferson uses rhetorical devices like parallelism and repetition to explain the reasonings of the Colonists decision to break their bonds with the King and Britain.

“It is only in this way that we can hope to arrive at truth, and fulfill the great responsibility which we hold to god and our country” (Henry) during the time the speech was written, the colonist were trying to be separate from Britain. People wanted out of British laws, but had fear of fighting war. The colonist struggled with no money for an army nor the support to create one. In Patrick Henry’s, “Speech to Virginia convention ” he primarily used pathos to persuade the audience to stand up and fight. It was important to persuade the colonist so when Great Britain attacked they were ready to fight back.

Speech of the Great The Revolutionary War a time of conflict and persuasion, trying to change the outcome Partick Henry writes the “Speech to The Virginia Convention”. Right before the Revolutionary War in the year 1775 Patrick Henry wrote a speech to the president to try and persuade to go to war but to do it in the right way. Henry uses ethos to hit the president’s emotion by talking about how in the past British hasn’t always had their side and they could easily play them, he also uses ethos by using analogies on what the outcome could be. It’s important for Patrick Henry to persuade the colonist to go to war because he wants them to realize that British isn’t always going to be on our side. Ethos is used to get to the colonist’s emotions

Patrick Henry’s speech to the Convention of Delegates in Virginia was a powerful speech given with the intent to convince the Colonies to unite and fight against the tyranny of the British. The final part of his speech seen in the above excerpt fits well into the overall structure of his speech because it appeals to pathos by using a lot of emotional diction to show the listening audience that their only way to gain freedom was war. When he states, “...but as for me, give me liberty or give me death!” he is not only making the audience feel his strong emotions, but convincing them that the cause for liberty is a life or death matter, and the only way to gain the liberty that they absolutely need for survival is to fight. This excerpt ends his speech well because it leaves the audience feeling a variety of emotions, including anger and patriotism, which makes it effective towards Henry’s cause.

In the 1700’s the British ruled the 13 colonies and the people of the colonies were in unrest by the British but no one wanted to take action in fear of the British. At the Virginia Convention, on 20 March 1775, great minds of the colony were deciding whether to take action. Patrick Henry persuaded the people of the Virginia Convention to take up arms and fight against the British to win their freedom and independence. He showed how powerful Pathos was by using it in his speech to heavily sway the hearts and minds of the members which persuaded them to fight against the British. “It is natural to man to indulge in the illusions of hope.

Patrick Henry’s 1775 speech at the second Virginia Convention, commonly referred to as “Give Me Liberty or Give Me Death!” in reference to a famous quote lifted from the speech itself, masterfully reflects the requirement for revolution the United States of America had during the time period. The speech not only stands as an emblem of the American Revolution, but as a call-to-arms against any tyranny men that would rear its head anywhere in history, whether this long-term outcome was intended or otherwise. The effectiveness Henry displayed in rallying his peers is certainly inspirational, and his capability cannot be understated. This capability can be attributed to many different factors. One being Henry’s conviction.

Thomas Paine wrote a series of articles known collectively as "The Crisis" to support his argument for independence from England during the Revolutionary War. Thomas Paine 's reasoning for writing this collection of articles is rather sound. The call to arms in this document calls “tens of thousands” to arms to battle Great Britain and their unfair rule over their country. Paine was justified in his writing, the unfair rule of the British government did need to be “called out” sort of speak.