ipl-logo

Rhetorical Analysis Of Patrick Henry's Address To The Virginia Congress

435 Words2 Pages

¨Patrick Henry Speech¨ : Rhetorical Use In his speech to the Virginia Congress, Patrick Henry uses rhetorical devices such as an extended metaphor and hyperbole to contribute to his purpose of coercing the other delegates to accept the upcoming conflict with Britain. In his address to the Virginia Congress, Henry establishes the urgency of preparing for the inevitable war with the British. In his speech, Henry uses a ‘storm’ to symbolize the conflict that is on the horizon. The ‘storm’ not only symbolizes the literal fight that is going to take place, but also the devastation and chaos that will ensue if the colonists are ill prepared. Henry states, “The next gale that sweeps from the north will bring to our ears the clash of resounding arms!”. The storm is the upcoming disaster that is the war against Britain that the colonists were too naive to see it. Not only does it …show more content…

In his speech, Henry state's “Our chains are forged...their clanking may be heard on the plains of Boston”. The chains represent the enslaved feeling the colonist have when dealing with the British’s unjust actions. Because of this veiled fear, Henry can amplify it by using the unpleasant imagery to of the clanking of slave chains and exaggerating the sound, as if it can be heard all the way in Boston. The intolerable actions of the tyrannical British forces Henry to invoke the deepest fears of his fellow colonists. By hyperbolizing the potential consequences of the colonists' naivety, it encourages the listeners to want to jump on his cause to prepare for the war against Britain. In conclusion, Patrick Henry understands that in order to effectively make his proposal a reality, he has to be capable to appeal to them during his speech. In his address, Henry uses hyperbole to make the need for war preparation more of an urgent

Show More
Related

  • Rhetorical Analysis Of Patrick Henry Speech

    748 Words  | 3 Pages

    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

    Read More

  • The Rhetorical Analysis Of Patrick Henry's Speech

    730 Words  | 3 Pages

    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.

    Read More

  • Rhetorical Techniques Used In Patrick Henry's Speech To The Virginia Convention

    689 Words  | 3 Pages

    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.

    Read More

  • A Rhetorical Analysis Essay On Patrick Henry

    459 Words  | 2 Pages

    Patrick henry uses rhetorical appeals by using God to persuade memebers of the virginia convention to go to war with Britian. He uses pathos, logos, and ethos because he appeasl to peoples emotions and how they feel about going to war with Britain. Henry is a person who fights to get what he wants. He's a man that believes fighting is the only way of getting freedom. Henry is a credible speaker because of this he gets some to agree with him on going to war with Britain, and some still disagree becasue some say they are not ready, they are weak.

    Read More

  • Rhetorical Analysis Of Henry's 'Give Me Liberty Or Give Me Death'

    756 Words  | 4 Pages

    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.

    Read More

  • Patrick Henry Speech To The Second Virginia Convention Rhetorical Analysis

    701 Words  | 3 Pages

    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.

    Read More

  • What Are The Rhetorical Devices Used In Patrick Henry's Speech

    691 Words  | 3 Pages

    On March 23, 1775, Mr. Patrick Henry made history when he delivered a speech at the Virginia Convention. Mr. Henry's purpose in his speech was to convince the Virginia patriots attending the convention that the only option with Britain remaining was war. Mr. Henry used many rhetorical devices throughout his speech, and with the use of pathos, ethos, and logos he had an effective advantage that appealed to almost every person at the convention. To begin with, Mr. Henry’s speech contains much use of pathos as he relates to the emotions of the people of Virginia. An example of Mr. Henry's use of pathos is when he states, “I consider it as nothing less than freedom or slavery...”.

    Read More

  • Rhetorical Analysis Of Patrick Henry's Speech In The Virginia Convention

    524 Words  | 3 Pages

    Additionally, Henry asserts that “[they] have petitioned; [they] have remonstrated; [they] have supplicated; [they] have prostrated [themselves] before the throne” to “avert the storm” of the upcoming war. Henry’s appliance of anaphora with “we” at the beginning of subsequent clauses emphasizes that the colonists have done much to avoid any violent outcome with the British. He notes that the colonists are trying to resolve problems while Britain is only “produc[ing] additional violence and insult.” Hence, Henry underscores Britain’s neglect of possible solutions and their inclination for violence. In essence, Henry’s clever use of various rhetorical strategies persuades the colonies to achieve their freedom from Britain.

    Read More

  • Rhetorical Devices In Patrick Henry

    460 Words  | 2 Pages

    On March 23,1775 Patrick Henry convinced colonists to fight against Britain by using four rhetorical devices which were allusion, imagery, one-word sentences and rhetorical questions. He did this by reading his famous speech called “the Virgina Convention speech”. These four devices helped Patrick Henry convinced many people that were still not willing to go to war. Patrick Henry purpose for using allusion was to helped him connect with the listeners. “Listen to the song of the siren till she transforms us into beast.”

    Read More

  • Use Of Ethos In Patrick Henry's Speech

    425 Words  | 2 Pages

    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.

    Read More

  • What Is The Rhetorical Question In Patrick Henry's Speech

    738 Words  | 3 Pages

    He calls upon Britain’s intentions with their use of their military force in the colonies when he said, “Ask gentlemen, sir, what means this martial array, if its purpose be not to force us to submission? Can gentlemen assign any other possible motive for it? Has Great Britain any enemy in this quarter of the world, to call for all this accumulation of navies and armies?” Through this rhetorical question, Henry was saying that the British’s only desire for their forces in the colonies was to sustain the loyalty of the colonists toward Britain and to fetter the colonists from true freedom. One may believe that claim is true because, if losing the loyalty of the colonists wasn't a threat, the English would never have bothered to send their troops in the first place.

    Read More

  • What Is The Claim In Patrick Henry's Speech

    345 Words  | 2 Pages

    Patrick Henry’s claim in his speech to the Virginia Convention is war with England is the only way to win freedom and their desires because England makes this the only choice. Before Patrick went up there were other men that had spoken before him, these men were speaking their views on whether or not they should initialize the war. Once Patrick has his chance to say his part he believes that they should fight because England hasn’t been fair. Patrick states this basically by saying “An appeal to arms and to the God of Hosts is all that is left us”. This is such a powerful statement because what he’s proposing is extremely dangerous.

    Read More

  • Rhetorical Devices In Patrick Henry's Speech

    800 Words  | 4 Pages

    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.

    Read More

  • Rhetorical Techniques In Patrick Henry's Speech

    500 Words  | 2 Pages

    “ They tell us, sir, that we are weak; unable to cope with so formidable an adversary. But when shall we be stronger?” this statement weakens the spirits within the colonist due to the intolerable acts. Although Britain thought the act would help them strengthen it was undermined by the presence of increasing the military activities. According to henry no matter what happens the war will come, “ The war is inevitable and let it come!

    Read More

  • Analysis Of Patrick Henry's Revolutionary Speech

    560 Words  | 3 Pages

    The speech’s main purpose is to persuade people to fight for their freedom. Patrick Henry’s speech is truly meant to persuade the Virginia Convention to prepare for war if the British government fails to comply to the needs of the convention. He uses an urgent and inspirational tone to deliver a thought provoking speech. This is essential to getting his point across, and that the need for assertiveness is significant. The convention was practically split in half, some wanting peace no matter what, and others who wanted immediate action toward the Britains.

    Read More

More about Rhetorical Analysis Of Patrick Henry's Address To The Virginia Congress

Open Document