Patrick Henry Ethos In Speech To The Second Virginia Convention

The prominent patriot Patrick Henry once said, “I know not what course others may take; but as for me, give me liberty or give me death!” (Henry 7) implying that a life without liberty is not a righteous life. Henry’s quote is included in his popular oratory “Speech to the Virginia Convention.” While discussing with the colonists, Henry lists all of the discrepancies the thirteen colonies had with Great Britain, concluding that there is no other option, but to retaliate instantaneously. In Patrick Henry’s “Speech to the Virginia Convention,” he utilizes amplifying loaded words and coherent parallelism in order to influence the assembly to unify and reciprocate.

In “speech in the Virginia convention,” Patrick Henry convinces colonists to fight Britain through the use of four main rhetorical devices: Allusion, Rhetorical Questions, Figurative language, and Diction. Through Figurative language, he connects to the audience by expressing emotions and explaining the main problems with peace negotiations. Patrick Henry uses allusion in his speech by telling people what is appropriate. Patrick Henry used also Rhetorical Questions to tell people what is right and what is not. He also used diction as the power to explain a topic in a short sentence.

Writing to an audience that still lacks the desire to oppose the British, Patrick Henry in his "Speech to Virginia House of Burgesses" focuses on the rights of man and defying oppressors. Through figurative language, rhetorical questions, and diction, Henry heightens the necessity to rise up and fight against the British ruling power over the colonist population in Northern America.

“Give me liberty or give me death!”, Patrick Henry shouts to those attending the Virginia Convention in 1775. This “Speech to the Virginia Convention”, given one year before the colonies declared war on Great Britain, was an attempt by Henry to inspire the colonists to rebel against the oppressive rule of England and fight to save their freedom. Patrick Henry persuades the Convention to wage war against the British through his use of rhetorical questions and allusions.

“Is life so dear, or peace so sweet, as to be purchased at the price of chains and slavery?” (Henry 104). The period directly prior to the Revolutionary War was a time of increased tension, mostly surrounding the Colonies relationship with Britain. The people were being taxed harshly and unfairly, but there had yet to be a definite stop to it. By the time the Intolerable Acts had been put in place to punish colonists, England’s bond with America was nearing a crisis. Britain continued to oppress; and colonists continued to grow bitter at the treatment. Patrick Henry most effectively uses pathos in his “Speech to the Virginia Convention” by touching upon the fear being felt from Britain’s presence in the Colonies, and focusing on the colonists desire to be free from Britain’s rule.

Most people know the famous line “Give me liberty or give me death;” some people apprehend the concept of where that line came from, less understand that it was impelled to persuade the colonists to secede from Britain and even fewer comprehend that a major key to enticed the colonist was the use of rhetorical devices. Patrick Henry sways his audience in "Speech in the Virginia Convention" to fight Britain by using several rhetorical devices. The first rhetorical devices he uses, ethos, helps him gain the audiences’ trust by speaking highly of them and with respect. The second rhetorical device he adapts is allusion, in which he applies a euphemism to form a connection with his audience. The third rhetorical device he uses is pathos, which he employs to make a

Pathos or, playing on the emotions of the leaders of colonial America, is another tactic Henry draws on to convince them that revolution is essential. He uses the patriotism and pride of the colonial leaders to make them see how the British crown is taking away their natural rights as human beings. He states that outsiders say the colonies are “weak” because they would be “unable to cope with Britain as their adversary.” The leaders of the colonies are not used to being called weak, because they are of the upper classes of the Americas. Therefore this would ignite them to revolution, because the British would be against them, they who had dared question the strength of the members of the colonial Americas. Also, this statement of colonial American weakness would make the members of the House feel slighted because they have been working towards strengthening the Americas and saying they are weak is saying they are failing as leaders of the colonies. Further more, Patrick Henry continues to excite the emotions of the House of Burgesses, stating that

Have you ever imagined what some war conditions would be like? Well in this instance, you’re not alone. In Speech to the Virginia Convention by Patrick Henry, Patrick Henry urges the american people to go to war faster than what they’re doing because no matter what its coming for them. Although many rationalists at the time were persuasive authors in their own right, henry is considered one of the most persuasive because, he used ethos to add credibility to his cause, pathos to increase emotion and get the crowd involved, and logos in order to logically show facts and reasons for going to war with Britain.

In Bush’s speech, he points to the patriotic feeling that most Americans feel by saying, “That is not the America I know. That is not the America I serve. We refuse to live in fear.” Henry also appeals to emotion by going on about the need for freedom, just as Bush did. Henry said, “Forbid it, Almighty God! I know not what course others may take; but as for me, give me liberty, or give me death!”

Virginian politician Patrick Henry, like many of the founding fathers, was concerned by England’s actions preceding the Revolutionary War and decided to voice this concern in arguably one of the most critical speeches in political history, “Give Me Liberty or Give Me Death”. Henry used his political passion and voice to convince the powerful politicians at the Second Virginia Convention that England was violating its citizen’s rights, and if specific measures were not taken, like forming a militia, the colonies would face imminent danger. Henry’s speech was so successful because he crafted it specifically with his audience in mind. His knowledge of the distinguished men strengthened his speech because he knew what rhetorical technique would

Patrick Henry change the attitude of the members when he gave a speech at the Virginia Convention on March 23, 1775. He is talking to the president of the Virginia Convention about going to war. He uses emotion and reason developing an argument, does not want to defend the men. He uses rhetorical questions in his speech. He was a political leader during the American Revolution.

Patrick Henry effectively encourages Americans to fight Britain by using his tone, rhetorical appeals, and rhetorical tools. The tone is frustrated, and so the Purpose is to persuade in order to get America’s freedom. Henry’s exciting and aggravated tone unites and empowers the nation.

On March 23 of 1775, Patrick Henry gave a speech to his fellow Virginians at Saint John’s Church- Richmond, VA. What did he want Virginians to do? He needed to tell the Virginians to arm and defend themselves. Patrick Henry wanted everyone to be on the same page as him on the subject of their independence. He wanted their independence no matter the cost. He was willing to go to war. The point of his speech was to have the Virginians on his side about starting to rise against their mother land and begin a revolt against Britain’s King George III. His famous words “Give me liberty or give me death!” brought on an emotional appeal to the colonists which showed that Henry’s call to action worked. Another way he affected the listeners on an emotional level was that he pointed out how the British people made them into slaves for their own benefit. He wanted his fellow Virginians to open their eyes to the reality of what is going on and not just pretend it is not happening. He was telling them not to trust the British and their petitions or the acceptance of one. If they did not rise up against the British, they would stay servants to them.How did he justify his desire? Desire is needed in order to grab the audience’s attention. His desire can be seen and heard throughout his speech. Henry was a leader in Virginia and the other colonies and was known for speaking out and resisting the English rule. This is a way to show how his desires were justified. He grabbed their attention by

Everyday we read a piece of writing and just read it. You never think of the persuasive technique or emotions being used, going into depth with what you are reading. But today that all ends, you will be shown the persuasive technique, Patrick Henry uses in the Speech to the Virginia Convention. That persuasive technique Henry argues with is pathos, appealing to the emotions, feelings, and digging within one’s self.

Patrick Henry was a brilliant self taught lawyer who had to study law in order to support his ever growing family. In his youth he was largely taught by his father and uncle who was an Anglican clergyman and once he was an adult he married a woman called Sarah Shelton and together they had many children (britannica). Two years after winning his first case and becoming a member of the house of burgesses, he delivered a strong speech on the opposition of the stamp act and he later traveled to the first continental congress with six other delegates and becomes the leader of the group later on, soon after he delivered his famous speech which ended in ‘’give me liberty, or give me death’’(encyclopedia). Henry is later elected to the virginia convention