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Patrick Henry Tell Me Liberty Or Give Me Death Summary

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"Give Me Liberty or Give Me Death" is a speech by Patrick Henry to the Second Virginia Convention at St. John's Church in Richmond, Virginia on March 23, 1775. Around this time, America as we know it was not in existence. We were the thirteen colonies ruled by the ever so controlling Great Britain. It was our want of independence and multiple speeches such as this one which were given all over the colonies that soon led to the formation of the Declaration of Independence and the Revolution War. The speech of Patrick Henry was delivered to the convention who were divided two opposing points of view. Patrick Henry sided with the men who wanted immediate action to raise a militia and to put Virginia in a position of defense. The opposing side …show more content…

There are several effective allusions found in this speech; mostly allusions to the Bible or mythology. When he says in the second paragraph "listen to the song of that siren till she transforms us into beasts," he alludes to the sirens found in the epic The Odyssey. Henry is saying that to listen to this call, this "illusion of hope", even though it is tempting, will prove mortal and change the Convention into something unable to reason and act, a beast. Henry uses multiple biblical allusions with which his opponents would be familiar with. In the second paragraph, he says "Are we disposed of the number of those who, having eyes, see not, and, having ears, hear not." This is from Ezekiel, when God describes how those who hear Ezekiel's words and do not listen will be destroyed, which is what Henry is saying would happen if the delegates do not listen to him. Henry begins the third paragraph with another allusion, "one lamp by which my feet are guided." Rather than the word of God, which is the lamp found in the Bible, his lamp is experience. Henry also states, "Suffer not yourselves to be betrayed with a kiss." Christ was betrayed by his disciple Judas through the kiss of brotherhood, which led to Christ's arrest and crucifixion. Henry believes the British represent Judas and that while they will appear brotherly to the colonies, but they will betray them, leading to their

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