Martin Luther King And Patrick Henry: Cry For Freedom Essay

At a tense meeting in a church in Richmond, Virginia, away from the watchful eyes of Britain, Patrick Henry began to deliver a rousing speech to the Second Convention of Delegates. His passion was tangible to the audience as he called the delegates to action. His speech was memorable to everyone in the room and powerful in convincing the delegates to support the war. Little did he know that this speech would continue to be known for its power and persuasion for generations to come. Throughout Patrick Henry's speech, he emphasized the necessity to act against Britain and support the war, but he did so in a way that was unavoidably persuasive. Henry used emotional appeal, metaphors, and rhetorical questions in order to convince the delegates

Throughout his speech, Henry predominantly appeals to the passions of common people. The purpose of this speech was to encourage the Virginians to

Henry knew his audience inside and out, which helped him persuade them effectively. In his logical appeals, Henry uses facts, statistics, examples, past history and incidents to persuade the audience. On the other hand, in Henry’s emotional appeals, he uses diction, imagery, figurative language, allusions to literature, use of religion and stories that arouse emotions to persuade the audience. These appeals are meant to stir the audience’s emotions. All of these factors played a big role in persuading the audience at the Virginia Convention. As a young man, Patrick Henry failed at attempts at storekeeping and farming before discovering before discovering his true calling: the law. Starting as a 29 year old lawyer, Henry gradually developed as a politician and as a result, Patrick Henry is now recognized as one of the most persuasive orators in American Colonial

Patrick Henry was an influential leader, from the 18th century, who delivered one of the most famous speeches in the United States. He was also a politician, with a strong sense of patriotism, leading to his support in the opposition of the British government. Before Independence Day, America was under the control of the British, and by 1774, the British Parliament started passing laws to tax colonists. However, Henry was remarkably against to the submission of British government. The patriot transformed the spirits of the colonists, and perhaps bringing America, itself, out of slavery through a speech, “Give Me Liberty or Give Me Death.” This speech was given at the Second Virginia Convention on March 23, 1775 at St. John’s Episcopal Church in Richmond, Virginia. Henry’s speech played an important role for the War of Independence, as well as, finding one of the principals of which America is founded upon, freedom.

During the American Revolution, there were many politicians who helped the cause towards rebellion. Patrick Henry was one of these statesmen. He was elected to the Virginia House of Burgesses in 1765. Shortly after being elected, Henry delivered a speech that spoke against the Stamp Act. But, his most famous speech was the “Speech in the Virginia Convention” in 1775. This speech flamed the Revolutionary spirit and led to the signing of the Declaration of Independence. How did Henry achieve such a positive response to his speech? He accomplished this by developing ethos, pathos, utilizing repetition, and choosing an urgent tone.

Henry uses many devices to get his point across to the president and others. In the beginning he uses formal diction to establish rapport- to persuade those who disagree with his stance to agree. He says “worthy gentlemen” to the men who have went before him and gave their account. Also says “I hope it will not be thought disrespectful to those” to them also because something he says later on might be thought towards a certain person. In the second paragraph he uses allusion to Greek mythology and allusion to hope. It states “...it is natural to man to indulge in the illusions of hope” “I have but one lamp by which my feet are guided; and that is the lamp of experience”. Also gives allusion to Greek myths saying “we are apt to shut our eyes against a painful truth, and listen to the song of that siren till

He clarifies that he has utmost respect for his audience and for the men who spoke before him. This establishes respect for Henry, because he showed respect to his fellow colonists. Henry continues to build the audience’s respect for himself by reiterating his loyalty to the patriot cause. He states that this loyalty, and his devotion to God are moving him to speak.

Henry first begins his speech by stating he is indeed a patriot, or more accurately, the man who thinks the highest of patriotism, quickly followed by a respectful acknowledgement to his opposition. This very brief, yet powerful opening immediately establishes a very strong relationship to his audience, his opponents included. This short opening creates ethos as well, making Henry seem to be a person who truly does care for his country, and for every person, not only his allies. Followed by these first statements, he uses a very brief and unnoticed oversimplification of stating their issue is “nothing less than a question of freedom or

Henry is perhaps best known for the speech he made in the House of Burgesses on March 23, 1775, urging that legislature to take military action against the encroaching British military force. The House was deeply divided, but was very much leaning toward not commiting troops. As Henry stood in Saint John's Church in Richmond, Virginia, he ended his speech with his most famous words;

Throughout the speech, Henry is able to convey his message through his use of tone. He uses a respectable and urgent tone to persuade the convention. He states, “I hope it will not be thought disrespectful to those gentlemen if, entertaining as I do, opinions of a character very opposite to theirs, I shall speak forth my sentiments

In his speech, Henry uses a strong ethical appeal by being very respectful in order to show that he understands and respects his opponents argument but he also has some things to say that oppose him. In the very beginning of his speech he honors the man before him by saying “No man thinks more highly than I do of the patriotism, as well as the abilities, of the very worthy gentlemen who have just addressed the house.” to gain the respect of his audience and captivate them into the rest of his speech. He also throughout the entirety of his speech said the word “sir” to respectively address the opponent.

Patrick Henry showcases his ability to persuade an audience in his, “Speech to the Second Virginia Convention” to join the Revolution. Being a lawyer, one learns to manipulate their audience by using things that appeal to their emotions, sense of respect, and knowledge.

His quote of being bound was persuasive due to the mention of surrendering cowardly and his stance of abandoning hope absolutely made the colonists question their own ideas on the subject of revolution. Henry speaks articulately enough to state that hope and faith are nothing but loaded words used to make the colonists hear only what they want to hear. In addition to Henry’s usage of British repression, he secured the opinions of the delegation with patriotic oratory and solidarity. Pathos was persuasive also effective due to the call for synchronization amongst colonists with domino-esque chauvinism. The emotion is seen with, “Three millions of people, armed in the holy cause of liberty, and in such a country as that which we possess, are invincible by any force which our enemy

Henry was selected in 1774 to assign the continental congress in Philadelphia. There he met Sam Adams and they together were excited to fire for the revolution war. During the moment henry called the colonists to come together in their position to overcome the British. The next year, henry gave his most known famous speech of his entire career. He was one of the people to represent the Virginia Convention in March 1775. The group was thinking how they are going to get things over with, with the crisis of Great Britain. He wanted everything to go buy smooth full and end with peace.

Henry wanted to liberate their freedom from the British in a peaceful manner. He uses repetition in his speech like “sir” and “gentleman” to make a respectfully remark to the British people so they will not be felt threatened