Patrick Henry Tell Me Liberty Or Give Me Death Speech Analysis

In the speech “Give Me Liberty Or Give Me Death,” by Patrick Henry, he uses a varying degree of metaphors and emotional appeal. He is successful in delivering his point than he would be without the use of these rhetorical devices. The reason that this is effective, is that he can convey a stronger message and achieve his purpose.

He addresses that the current state of the colonists is, “nothing less than a question of freedom or slavery,” the colonies have only two options (Henry). In reality, there are more than two options, but his dramatization of these two extremes give a sense of urgency which is effective to have, as it gives you your result faster. He also gives light to how the colonists are ignoring their problems, “We are apt to

Trust it not, sir; it will prove a snare to your feet,” their efforts to try to get anything through to the British was halted, by the king, as he shrugs them off (Henry). The king then uses their past pleas as a weapon against them, and put more laws and taxes against the colonists. The colonists had voiced their struggles only to be worse off than before. Henry talks about the King’s betrayal again, “Suffer not yourselves to be betrayed with a kiss,” the king is making the colonists suffer, and then apologizing (Henry). The king's apology makes the colonists believe that he will change, even though he has proven through the many years that he will not change. He also shares his remark of the quartering of the army, “They are sent over to bind and rivet upon us those chains which the British ministry have been so long forging,” they are forcing the colonists to act and do things that Britain would want them to (Henry). He equated the army to slave masters, and the colonists to slaves, as the British are making the colonists do whatever they want. His own actions can be seen through, “I have but one lamp by which my feet