Rhetorical Analysis Of Patrick Henry's Speech To The Second Virginia Convention

Throughout the years following the French and Indian war, the British had set forward an abundance of absurd acts and taxes, demanding money from the colonists in an effort to help pay for the British war debts. Reacting to the taxes and acts by the British, the colonists revolted, many starting petitions, and in some cases, rioting against the tyrannical actions of King George III. After many years of being controlled by Britain, the colonists had decided that it is time to declare freedom. Meetings, meant to decide whether or not the colony should join the American Revolutionary War, were held all throughout the major settlements of future America. One particular speech in Virginia is most remembered for the man’s gallant efforts to convince Virginia to join the war, which would inevitably create the colonies into an independent country. This Virginian speech was the “Speech to the Second Virginia Convention”, for which Patrick Henry uses his patriotic tone to demonstrate to his audience that he truly cares for freedom for the people of Virginia, and overall, the …show more content…
However, in order to exemplify his passion and admiration for his colony’s well-being, he must first ensure that he is trustworthy, shown by his respect for fellow man. He demonstrates his respectfulness when he opens his speech with “I hope that it will not be thought disrespectful to those gentlemen” (1). Showing that this is a serious topic, he states, “I consider it as nothing less than a question of freedom or slavery” (1). Finally, Henry demonstrates his loyalty and patriotism to his country by saying “Should I keep my opinions at such a time, through fear of giving offense, I would consider myself guilty of treason towards my country…” (1). By saying this sentence to the people of Virginia, Henry reveals that he is willing to fight for the freedom of this country, whether the rest of Virginia is with him, or against