Rhetorical Devices Used In Patrick Henry's Speech

To Win the Fight Patrick Henry wrote a speech about going to war the British. His speech consisted of how they tried argument to win back their freedom, but the British turned them down, so Patrick Henry tries to tell his people that they must fight to win back their freedom. Though, some patriots did not believe in many things he said, so Patrick Henry used rhetorical devices to pull the patriots to his side. The rhetorical devices he used are ethos, pathos, and logos to persuade his audience into going to war with the British. The first rhetorical device Patrick Henry uses in his speech is ethos. An example of ethos in his speech says, "...number of those who, having eyes, see not, and having ears, hear not..." Ethos is credibility from …show more content…
An example of pathos from his speech is, "...it is natural to man to indulge in the illusions of hope." Pathos is an emotional appeal and the example talks about how they want good endings and to be at peace with the British, but they know they cannot have peace. Patrick Henry wants them to feel bad because we know they cannot have freedom or peace until they fight. Another example of pathos from the speech is, "For my own part I consider it as nothing less than a question of freedom or slavery." The example is pathos because it makes the audience think about how bad it is being a slave. Patrick Henry wants them to fight for their freedom to get out of slavery. Patrick Henry uses pathos to create an emotional appeal to the audience to make them think about the terrible situations they are in now and the thought of hope they could have if they go to …show more content…
An example of logos from Patrick Henry's speech is, "But when shall we be stronger? Will it be the next week, or the next year?" Logos is a device that makes the audience think. The example makes the audience think about all they have done and how it did not help at all. For example, when they tried to argue for their freedom, but the British turned them down and the only option they have is to fight. Another example of logos in Patrick Henry's speech is, "I have but one lamp by which my feet are guided; and that is the lamp of experience. I know of no way of judging of the future but by the past. And judging by the past I wish to know what there has been in the conduct of the British ministry for the last ten years..." Patrick Henry makes the audience think that they have been down this road before and they should try something new. Patrick Henry makes them think about the past and he can tell it will happen again, so fighting will help win back their freedom. Patrick Henry uses logos to gain the patriots t his side by making them think of how fighting will win back their freedom. All in all, Patrick Henry uses ethos, pathos, and logos appeals to gain the patriots to his side to agree on fighting with the British. I think Patrick Henry used the rhetorical devices very well. He gave credit to God - which probably made people start listening to him- he made them think about the thought of being a slave and