Patrick Henry Rhetorical Devices

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Patrick Henry was a Virginia lawyer and politician, in the 1700s, who presented a speech that implies his reasons for why the thirteen colonies should go to war with Britain. He presented his speech in front of the Second Virginia Convention to respectfully introduce his views on what they should with the conflict between the colonies and Britain . Henry’s speech convinced the observers to fulfil his wishes of going to war with Britain and impacted the lives of many, with the use of rhetorical references.
Patrick Henry uses religious connections to gain the attention of the audience. He states, “It is only in this way that we can hope to arrive at truth, and fulfil the great responsibility which we hold to God and our Country.” Henry shows the audience he is a reliable human-being by stating that what he is doing is for God. He comments, “Are we disposed to be of the number those who, having eyes, see not, and, having ears, hear not, the things which so nearly concern their temporal salvation?” Henry acknowledges that the …show more content…
He says, “We are apt to shut our eyes against a painful truth, and listen to the song of that siren till she transforms us into beasts.” He references this quote from the bible to imply that hope is like the sirens. He believes that having hope is making them think the impossible. Henry wants to prove to them that Britain is not going to give them freedom without any physical encounters.
America had no choice but to take up arms against the British. By allusions to Greek mythology and the Bible, by patterns of diction reflecting the motifs of lost hope and pending slavery, Henry skillfully employs rhetorical strategies that inspire the colonists to action. Henry ends with the plaintive cry to “Give me liberty or give me death” – a cry that has echoed through the Civil War, world wars, and wherever the hearts of men yearn to be
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