Patrick Henry Rhetorical Analysis

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Patrick Henry Analysis In response to Patrick Henry’s most recognized speeches in history, writer Patrick Henry was the most effective colonial correspondent at the time. He argues that Virginia should be freed from British colonial rule in his speech to the Virginia Convention. People may not agree that Patrick Henry was the most adequate rhetorician, they might say that Thomas Paine was more outstanding. In his document “The Crisis,” he argues that America, even though they claimed independence, America is still a servant to Britain. Paine speaks as an American man who commonly wants what every American wants. He makes courageous explanations about the aptitude of America and the cowardness of Britain. Readers may say that Thomas …show more content…
Henry starts his speech off by using pathos to persuade his audience of freeing Virginia from British colonial rule. He tells the readers, “For my own part, I consider it as nothing less than a question of freedom or slavery…” (Henry 1). By stating this, Henry draws out heartfelt emotion from his readers about how the question that is before House is either a question of opportunity or enslavement. Furthermore, Henry states, “... fulfill the great responsibility which we hold to God and our country,” (1). In telling this brief statement, Henry declares that there should be freedom among Virginia. The people should arrive at an equilibrium and that doing so will accomplish the importance that they hold for Virginia and God. Additionally, Henry says, “Shall we acquire the means of effectual resistance by lying supinely on our backs and hugging the delusive phantom of hope, until our enemies shall have bound us hand and foot?” (3). Henry is giving a hypothetical situation that states that they will not give up until their enemies handcuffed them. Henry express that they are not weak. This strategy is an appeal to pathos, forcing the audience to face an emotional question that will give the readers different responses. By using pathos he persuades the audience to free Virginia from the British colonial

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