Jesus Muneton
Mr. Ramirez
English 3 AP
21 October 2015
Patrick Henry Speech Rhetorical Analysis America on the eve of its revolution, was faced with serious conflict of interests on both sides of the Atlantic Ocean, many of which eventually led to the breakout of war. According to the author of the internet article “Reasons for the Revolution,” British debt acquired through the French and Indian War reflected as higher taxes for the American colonists. Increased taxes were received negatively by the colonists who were prompt in opposing them since they were accustomed to economic freedom. A notable opposition to these burdensome taxes was the Stamp Act congress formed by nine colonies to protest the tax which eventually provided fuel to the …show more content…
For instance, when referring to trusting British rule he claims that “it will prove a snare to your feet” (Henry). Henry uses the metaphor to compare British control with a snare to evoke negative pathos in his audience since they would perceive the British as distrustful and potentially dangerous. This prompts the audience to feel suspicious of questionable actions that Britain partook in; they believe that they cannot trust the British since they can turn on them at any moment. Negative pathos is also provoked when Henry uses a biblical allusion to warn the audience to “Suffer not yourselves to be betrayed with a kiss.” He states this in order to portray the British government as Judas, a comparison that would produce anger from the colonists. Henry wants to elicit these negative and condemnatory feelings in his audience to remove any possibility of the audience sympathizing with the enemy. Henry reinforces his argument that the British are ill-intentioned when describing their actions as “implements of war and subjugation.” The unfavorable diction used by Henry again depicts the British as subjugators and to a certain extent as captors of the colonists’ freedom which is similar to when he describes them as snares. Henry attempts to nullify any possible positive emotions that the colonists could possess for Britain and therefore …show more content…
Henry begins this type of appeal when he refers to the authority of God when describing him as “the majesty of heaven, which I revere above all earthly kings.” By referring to God’s authority, Henry tries to convince his audience that separation from Britain is right, almost a mandate of heaven. Additionally, Henry juxtaposes the words “heaven” and “earthly” to relegate the power of the British monarch and depict him as insignificant when compared to the might of God. Henry is successful in establishing this ethos appeal because of the strong religious background of the colonists who as a result are willing to fight in God’s name. To reaffirm his prior argument, Henry claims that “There is a just god who presides over us … and will raise up friends to fight our battles for us.” Henry again references God’s authority to convince his audience that America’s fight for independence is a just cause; it must be so if even God is on their side. With ethos appeals based on divine authority, Henry hopes to remove any qualms that the American populace might have about withdrawing from British control. He is effective in this respect because he persuades the colonists to fight not only because it is the right course of action, but also because God is sanctioning their
Mr. Ramirez
English 3 AP
21 October 2015
Patrick Henry Speech Rhetorical Analysis America on the eve of its revolution, was faced with serious conflict of interests on both sides of the Atlantic Ocean, many of which eventually led to the breakout of war. According to the author of the internet article “Reasons for the Revolution,” British debt acquired through the French and Indian War reflected as higher taxes for the American colonists. Increased taxes were received negatively by the colonists who were prompt in opposing them since they were accustomed to economic freedom. A notable opposition to these burdensome taxes was the Stamp Act congress formed by nine colonies to protest the tax which eventually provided fuel to the …show more content…
For instance, when referring to trusting British rule he claims that “it will prove a snare to your feet” (Henry). Henry uses the metaphor to compare British control with a snare to evoke negative pathos in his audience since they would perceive the British as distrustful and potentially dangerous. This prompts the audience to feel suspicious of questionable actions that Britain partook in; they believe that they cannot trust the British since they can turn on them at any moment. Negative pathos is also provoked when Henry uses a biblical allusion to warn the audience to “Suffer not yourselves to be betrayed with a kiss.” He states this in order to portray the British government as Judas, a comparison that would produce anger from the colonists. Henry wants to elicit these negative and condemnatory feelings in his audience to remove any possibility of the audience sympathizing with the enemy. Henry reinforces his argument that the British are ill-intentioned when describing their actions as “implements of war and subjugation.” The unfavorable diction used by Henry again depicts the British as subjugators and to a certain extent as captors of the colonists’ freedom which is similar to when he describes them as snares. Henry attempts to nullify any possible positive emotions that the colonists could possess for Britain and therefore …show more content…
Henry begins this type of appeal when he refers to the authority of God when describing him as “the majesty of heaven, which I revere above all earthly kings.” By referring to God’s authority, Henry tries to convince his audience that separation from Britain is right, almost a mandate of heaven. Additionally, Henry juxtaposes the words “heaven” and “earthly” to relegate the power of the British monarch and depict him as insignificant when compared to the might of God. Henry is successful in establishing this ethos appeal because of the strong religious background of the colonists who as a result are willing to fight in God’s name. To reaffirm his prior argument, Henry claims that “There is a just god who presides over us … and will raise up friends to fight our battles for us.” Henry again references God’s authority to convince his audience that America’s fight for independence is a just cause; it must be so if even God is on their side. With ethos appeals based on divine authority, Henry hopes to remove any qualms that the American populace might have about withdrawing from British control. He is effective in this respect because he persuades the colonists to fight not only because it is the right course of action, but also because God is sanctioning their