“Give me liberty, or give me death!” (Patrick Henry). A quote known by many, but understood by so few. In 1775, Patrick Henry delivered his famous “Liberty or Death” speech in Richmond, Virginia. He had used his patriotism to his advantage and spoke in an encouraging tone, and did what few dared to; Patrick Henry spoke his mind to everyone within the meeting. Henry’s use of pathos and emotion helped persuade the voting for a continental army for the better. Patrick Henry needed to persuade the colonists to form a continental army because Great Britain was preparing for war. “Have we shown ourselves so unwilling to be reconciled, that force must be called in to win back our love?” (Henry). Patrick Henry used ethos, but …show more content…
At this point, Henry gathers the attention of some audience members, but when he adds “I wish to know what there has been in the conduct of the British ministry for the last ten years, to justify those hopes with which gentlemen have been pleased to solace themselves, and the House? Is it that insidious smile with which our petition has been lately received? Trust it not, sir; it will prove a snare to your feet. Suffer not yourselves to be betrayed with a kiss. Ask yourselves how this gracious reception of our petition comports with these war-like preparations which cover our waters and darken our land.” (Henry). He finally brings to light the failures of ten years of petitioning. The Colonists cannot deny the fact that they have been ignored and their cries fell upon deaf ears. Here he uses pathos in the phrase “Betrayed with a kiss” to show that the British had deceived them into thinking they would allow forgiveness. His quote showed the sudden realization that the colonies were being invaded slowly with the phrase “which cover our waters and darken our land” (Henry). This brought to life the true need a fighting force of a