Antithesis In Patrick Henry's Speech

Counselor: Robert A. Ferguson, George Edward Woodberry Professor in Police, Literature and Criticism, Columbia Academy, National Humanities Center Beau
Copyright National Humanities Eye, 2015

What arguments, appeals, and rhetorical strategies did Patrick Henry use in 1775 to persuade reluctant members of the Second Virginia Convention to develop a military response to British aggression?

Understanding

In 1775 American independence was not a foregone conclusion. While there had been unrest and resistance in Massachusetts with scattered acts of support from other areas, no organized movement toward revolution existed across the Colonies. Virginia ranked among the largest, wealthiest, and most populous colonies in 1775, and her political and military machine support for independence would be crucial for success. In this speech communication Patrick Henry (1736–1799) uses powerful rhetoric to convince influential, affluent, landed men of Virginia with much to lose to move past their current diplomatic posture opposing British aggression to the more treasonous one of open military preparedness.

Patrick Henry, 1736–1799

Text

Patrick Henry, speech to the Virginia Convention, March 23, 1775.

Text Blazon

Spoken language, non-fiction.

Text Complexity

Grade eleven-CCR complication ring.

For more information on text complexity run across these resources from achievethecore.org.

In the Text Analysis department, Tier two vocabulary words are defined in pop-ups, and Tier iii words are explained in brackets.

Click here for standards and skills for this lesson.

X

Common Core Land Standards

• ELA-LITERACY.RI.11-12.1 (cite evidence to analyze specifically and by inference)
• ELA-LITERACY.RI.xi-12.iv (determine the meaning of words and phrases)
• ELA-LITERACY.RI.11-12.6 (make up one's mind writer'south point of view)

Advanced Placement US History

• Key Concept three.1 (IIB) (arguments about rights of British subjects, the rights of the individual,…)

Teacher's Note

In this lesson students will deconstruct Patrick Henry's famous speech to explore the tools of effective persuasion, including appeals, rhetorical strategies, and classical statement. This is a persuasive speech, one intended not but to present an argument but also to persuade the audience to human activity. While the speech can be used to investigate problems of liberty, ability, and rights of the governed, this lesson focuses upon constructive rhetoric. The speech communication includes several Biblical allusions — revolutionary rhetoricians ofttimes used Biblical references considering it immune them to speak more strongly confronting Britain without using overtly treasonous oral communication.

The text of this speech is well known; less well known is the fact that there was no actual transcript created of Henry's spoken communication — after all, these discussions smacked of treason, and keeping a written record would have been dangerous. In an environment of digital media and world-wide instant communication, students may wonder how Henry'due south words were preserved. This speech was recreated in 1817 by William Wirt of Maryland, who published the first biography of Patrick Henry. Wirt drew upon materials collected beginning in 1808, including interviews with those who knew Henry and those who were nowadays when the speech was delivered. For an electronic version of Wirt's book, visit this link: Sketches of the Life and Grapheme of Patrick Henry.

The provenance of the speech notwithstanding, Henry's words provide a rich source to study rhetorical strategies and classical argument, and that report is the focus of this lesson. This text divides into four sections aligned to the organization of classical argument.

1. The first 2 paragraphs form the introduction (Exordium). The Exordium attempts to engage the audience, to gear up them for the bulletin to come up, and to explain the purpose (thesis) of the spoken language.
2. The third paragraph provides the statement of fact (Narratio) and argument (Confirmatio). The Narratio contextualizes the argument, presenting any background information necessary, while the Confirmatio explains the bear witness that supports the thesis.
3. The fourth paragraph presents and refutes counter arguments (Refutatio).
4. The final paragraph forms the conclusion (Peroratio). The Peroratio serves several purposes: to restate an argument, to amplify reasoning, to inspire an audition, and to rouse emotional responses.

Each paragraph is accompanied by a number of close reading questions designed to invite educatee analysis in 4 major areas: classical statement construction, wording and syntax, rhetorical strategies, and belligerent appeals (logos, ethos, and pathos).

This lesson is divided into ii parts, both attainable below. The teacher'south guide includes a background notation, the text analysis with responses to the close reading questions, access to the interactive exercises, and a follow-up consignment. The student's version, an interactive PDF, contains all of the in a higher place except the responses to the close reading questions and the follow-upwardly assignment.

Instructor's Guide (continues below) Background notation Text assay and close reading questions with answer key Interactive exercises Follow-up assignment

Student Version (click to open up) Interactive PDF Background note Text analysis and close reading questions Interactive exercises

Instructor's Guide

Groundwork

Background Questions

1. What kind of text are we dealing with?
2. When was it written?
3. Who wrote information technology?
4. For what audience was information technology intended?
5. For what purpose was it written?

In 1775 unrest bubbled through the American Colonies. Great britain had severely restricted Massachusetts through the Intolerable Acts; towns were voting to boycott British goods, and British soldiers were condign a common sight in the American Colonies. In this lesson you will explore a famous spoken language past Patrick Henry (1736–1799), member of the 2nd Virginia Convention. Patrick Henry is non speaking in the Virginia House of Burgesses [the state legislature] in Williamsburg because information technology had been dissolved the year before past Royal Governor Dunmore. Resenting this British interference with local government, the members of the House of Burgesses regrouped as a land convention. In club to avert any interference from British troops, the Second Convention of approximately 120 delegates met in Richmond, Virginia, from March 20 through March 27.

The American Colonies were attempting to negotiate with British in 1775, and many of Henry's boyfriend delegates wanted to wait until these negotiations were completed earlier taking activity. But Henry felt that delay would be a major mistake. On March 23, 1775, he asked the Virginia Convention to take a defensive stance immediately against Not bad Britain by raising an armed company in every Virginia county — an action considered by many to be open treason. His speech reflected language and actions far more radical that his fellow delegates were willing to go in public, but Henry based his asking upon the assumption that even more aggressive military deportment by the British would soon follow. Xx-7 days after this speech was delivered the Battles of Lexington and Concur proved Henry correct.

In this lesson you lot will await at Patrick Henry's spoken language and clarify his methods for convincing his fellow members of the Virginia Convention to accept a military opinion confronting the British. These delegates were wealthy and powerful and they had much to lose; Henry's request was a large decision that many of them were reluctant to make. Henry used non but rhetorical devices but as well the strategies of classical argument, making a potentially disruptive situation simple and straightforward equally he attempted to movement all his fellow delegates toward the same result. His recommendations were accepted by the Convention.

The speech divides into the four parts of a classical argument, defined below. As you lot clarify the individual parts of the speech, look also for how these parts of the argument work together.

1. The first ii paragraphs course the introduction (Exordium). The Exordium attempts to engage the audition, preparing them for the bulletin to come, and to explain the purpose (thesis) of the speech.
2. The tertiary paragraph provides the statement of fact (Narratio) and argument (Confirmatio). The Narratio contextualizes the argument, presenting any background data necessary, while the Confirmatio lays out in gild the evidence to support the thesis.
3. The fourth paragraph presents and refutes counter arguments (Refutatio).
4. The final paragraph forms the decision (Peroratio). The Peroratio may perform several purposes: to restate an argument, to dilate reasoning, to inspire an audience, and to rouse emotional responses.

Text Analysis

Paragraph 1: Exordium

Close Reading Questions

Activity: Vocabulary
Learn definitions by exploring how words are used in context.

1. The first paragraph of classical argument, the exordium, seeks to engage the audition and set up them to hear the speaker's bulletin. Give an example in this paragraph of an attempt to engage the audience and an example of an attempt to set the audience.
Henry seeks to engage his audition by showing his respect for them. He recognizes and compliments the patriotism and abilities of the other members of the Convention in his first sentence (note that Henry continues to accost the torso every bit the House). He prepares his audience by expresses the hope that they will show him the same respect when he states in sentence 2, "I hope it will non be thought disrespectful…" Even though he will be speaking contrary to what has been previously presented, he reminds his audience that they are all colleagues by referring to the entire group, as in sentence 6, "we can hope to make it at the truth."

ii. Another role of the exordium is to explicate the purpose of the speech. What purpose does Henry establish, and to what is he appealing in order to emphasize this purpose?
The purpose of the debate, of which this speech communication is a function, is to "arrive at truth" and fulfill the "neat responsibility which nosotros hold to God and our country" (judgement 6). He is appealing to the ethical integrity of his audience by articulating their earthly and heavenly responsibilities.

iii. Why does Henry use the term "gentlemen" twice in the first ii sentences?
In order for others to accept a different thought, they must kickoff believe they are being respected. Henry seeks to found his respect for those who do non concord with him past referring to them as gentlemen. In addition, Henry is hoping to imply that since he is besides a fellow member of the Convention that they volition give him and his ideas the aforementioned respect.

four. Why does Henry begin the second judgement with "but"?
This is a rhetorical shift in perspective that helps to ready his audience. Even though he is a fellow member of the Convention, he uses a rhetorical shift to explicate that what he volition say from that point on will be dissimilar than that heard earlier.

5. In sentence three what does Henry mean when he says, "this is no fourth dimension for anniversary"? Why does he use the term "anniversary"?
He means this is no time to just say things because they might audio conciliatory, since ceremonies are often for visual display rather than actual action. He is emphasizing the time-sensitive nature of this contend and establishing the importance of immediate, serious give-and-take rather than a postponement of the issue (call up that some members of the Convention wished to await until negotiations had run their course before beginning military preparedness).

6. What does Henry mean past "awful moment" in sentence 4? Why does he apply this phrase?
He ways that the question under discussion is extremely important with potentially life-changing consequences. He is recognizing the treasonable nature of this word, displaying non but his own courage merely asking his young man delegates to show courage also.

7. In judgement 5, when Henry states, "I consider it as zippo less than a question of liberty or slavery," he commits a logical fallacy. The false dichotomy (either-or) fallacy gives only ii options with no choices in between, and Henry uses this intentionally. Why?
By eliminating other options he is focusing his argument. He wants the listeners to sympathise that in that location are only 2 options; freedom, which he is advocating, or slavery, which he knows these proud, wealthy men, many of whom are slaveholders, will not tolerate.

8. In sentence vii Henry argues on the basis of "ethos," which is Greek for "character." Such an argument is called an "ethical entreatment." It attempts to win over listeners on the basis of the trustworthiness of the speaker. How, in this sentence, does Henry suggest that his listeners can trust him?
Past appealing to organized religion as he calls upon the "majesty of heaven," Henry makes an ethical (ethos) appeal that his audition will understand intellectually and emotionally. The Convention members consider themselves to be men of integrity and ideals, as Henry best-selling in sentence 1. In sentence 7 Henry is asking them to empathise that he besides is compelled to speak based on his ain sense of integrity (if he holds back, he would consider himself "guilty of treason"). He reminds his audience that he, similar them, is a believer and is trustworthy.

9. How does the ethical entreatment in sentence 7 relate to the ethical entreatment in sentence 1?
In judgement i Henry acknowledges the patriotism of the members of the House who have only spoken. In sentence 7 he enumerates his own ethics, stating that he must speak now or be guilty of both treason to his country and disloyalty to the "majesty of heaven." This reaffirms his trustworthiness with his audience.

MR. PRESIDENT: (1) No homo thinks more highly than I practise of the patriotism, as well every bit abilities, of the very worthy gentlemen who take simply addressed the House. (2) But different men frequently see the same discipline in dissimilar lights; and, therefore, I hope information technology volition non exist thought disrespectful to those gentlemen if, entertaining equally I do, opinions of a character very reverse to theirs, I shall speak forth my sentiments freely, and without reserve. (3) This is no fourth dimension for anniversary. (iv) The question earlier the House is one of atrocious moment to this country. (v) For my own function, I consider information technology as nothing less than a question of freedom or slavery; and in proportion to the magnitude of the subject ought to exist the liberty of the contend. (6) It is only in this way that we tin hope to go far at truth, and fulfill the slap-up responsibility which we hold to God and our state. (7) Should I go along back my opinions at such a time, through fear of giving offence, I should consider myself as guilty of treason towards my state, and of an act of disloyalty toward the majesty of sky, which I revere above all earthly kings.

Statue of Patrick Henry, Richmond, Virginia.

Paragraph two: Exoridum, continued

Close Reading Questions

10. In this second paragraph of the exordium, Henry works to explicate the importance and timeliness of his statement by setting up a contrast between illusions and truth in sentences viii and 12. According to Henry, which will his argument contain and which will it NOT contain?
He states that it is "natural to man to indulge in the illusions of promise" but in the last sentence of the paragraph he clearly says he volition not do that — he will know the "whole truth." His statement will contain truth only will not comprise illusions.

11. Henry uses the give-and-take "hope" several times in this speech. Give an example of an "illusion of hope" that Henry suggests in this second paragraph.
One illusion would be the idea that the Colonies and Great United kingdom could negotiate an adequate peace without war.

12. Allusions, unexplained references to other sources, are commonly based upon the Bible or mythology. What innuendo does Henry utilise in sentence nine when he says "listen to the vocal of that siren till she transforms united states of america into beasts?" How does this allusion contribute to his statement?
He is alluding to the sirens plant in the epic The Odyssey. Siren calls are alluring and hard to resist even if expected, but they tin be deadly. Henry is maxim that to listen to this phone call, this "illusion of hope", fifty-fifty though it is tempting, will prove fatal and transform the Convention into something unable to reason and deed (beasts).

13. Henry uses multiple biblical allusions with which his educated audience would be familiar. In sentence eleven he says "Are nosotros disposed of the number of those who, having eyes, see non, and, having ears, hear non." This is from Ezekiel 12:two, when god describes how those who hear Ezekiel's words and practice non listen volition exist destroyed. How does this allusion contribute to Henry's argument?
Henry is implying that not seeing or listening to his argument will lead to destruction.

14. Juxtaposition means to put 2 elements next, frequently for comparing. Henry does this in sentences 11 and 12. What is his purpose in showtime asking if they are "disposed to… run into not, and… hear not" and and then stating, "…I am willing to know the whole truth: to know the worst, and to provide for it"?
He again sets upward a choice for his audience. Would they rather ignore the situation and have dangerous outcomes (this choice is divers past the previous allusions to the sirens and Ezekiel) or instead know the truth and prepare? He clearly indicates that he chooses the second option.

(8) Mr. President, it is natural to homo to indulge in the illusions of hope. (ix) We are apt to shut our eyes against a painful truth, and listen to the song of that siren till she transforms the states into beasts. (10) Is this the part of wise men, engaged in a great and arduous struggle for liberty? (xi) Are we disposed to be of the number of those who, having eyes, see not, and, having ears, hear not, the things which then most concern their temporal salvation? (12) For my office, whatever anguish of spirit it may cost, I am willing to know the whole truth; to know the worst, and to provide for it.

Henry delivered his 1775 speech at St. John's Church in Richmond, Virginia.

Paragraph 3: Narratio and Confirmatio

Close Reading Questions

The Narratio contextualizes the argument, including presenting whatsoever background information necessary, while the Confirmatio lays out in social club the testify to back up the thesis. Henry lists several negotiation attempts by colonists and British responses. He uses rhetorical strategies and appeals to further develop his argument, making certain that each detail is contextualized from the Colonial perspective.

15. Henry begins this paragraph with another Biblical allusion, "one lamp past which my feet are guided" (Psalms 119:105). Rather than the word of God, which is the lamp found in the Biblical verse, what is the lamp that Henry uses to guide his feet in sentence 13? Why does he brand this connection?
The lamp is experience. Henry recounts past experiences and events that "guide his feet" and make fighting a necessity.

16. Henry continues to use "gentlemen" in this paragraph. Why?
He wants to maintain his respect for his audience and remind them that he is i of them. As his statement builds he wants to accept them along with him — reiterating the fact that they are esteemed colleagues.

17. What does "solace" hateful? Why does Henry use this term?
"Solace" means condolement in distress. Henry cautions his audition that the "hopes" of the past may have been used to comfort the Convention, but such comfort is an illusion and will not terminal.

eighteen. Henry uses parallelism (structuring phrases in similar fashion) several times in this paragraph. Consider judgement 40, peculiarly the verbs. How does Henry utilise both parallelism and verb choice (diction) to explain that the Colonies take tried many steps to maintain peace?
"Nosotros have petitioned; nosotros have remonstrated; nosotros have supplicated; we take prostrated; [we] take implored…" He uses the parallel structure to indicate the process past which the Colonies have taken multiple steps to resolve differences. He chooses verbs that are increasingly dramatic to remind his audience that the Colonies take tried everything without event. Consider "petition" (to bring written grievances) versus "remonstrate" (to forcefully protest) versus "supplicate" (to beg earnestly or humbly) versus "prostrate" (to totally submit) versus "implore" (to beg desperately).

19. In the second paragraph Henry spoke of the "illusions of hope." In sentence 43 he says, "There is no longer whatsoever room for promise." Why did he use this term again?
He is linking this part of his argument to the exordium and explaining that any chance of hope no longer exists. He is moving his audience abroad from the position of illusive promise that they may take held at the beginning of his voice communication toward some other position.

20. Henry again makes a Biblical allusion in judgement xviii, "Suffer not yourselves to exist betrayed with a osculation." Christ was betrayed by his disciple Judas through the kiss of alliance, which led to Christ'south abort and crucifixion (Luke 22:47). Who does Henry believe represents Judas and how does this allusion every bit a metaphor contribute to Henry'due south argument?
He believes the British represent Judas and that while they will appear brotherly to the Colonies they will betray, leading to Colonial downfall.

21. Antithesis means to put two ideas together in order to dissimilarity them, pointing out their differences. In sentence 20, what does Henry contrast with "love and reconciliation"? What is the issue?
He contrasts them with "fleets and armies." The effect is to highlight the fact that Great Britain does not consider "honey and reconciliation" a viable strategy, since they have responded with "fleets and armies," and these should be "the last arguments to which kings resort." Henry emphasizes that Great Britain has already taken the matter past the diplomatic phase to the armed forces level.

22. Hypophora is a special type of rhetorical question whereby a question is asked and then answered by the speaker (as opposed to a typical rhetorical question, which is either non answered or has a yes/no answer). A hypophora is useful to nowadays to an audience issues they may not have considered in depth. Find at to the lowest degree one instance of hypophora in this paragraph and explicate its contribution to Henry's statement.

Some possibilities follow:

• "Are fleets and armies necessary to a work of love and reconciliation?" "These are the implements of war; the last arguments to which kings resort." (sentences twenty and 23). Henry emphasizes the seriousness of the military response that Peachy Britain has already displayed.
• "Has Great Britain any enemy, in this quarter of the earth, to call for all this accumulation of navies and armies?" "No, sir, she has none. They are meant for us; they can exist meant for no other." (sentences 26 and 27). Henry points out that the British military response cannot be interpreted as anything other than a straight challenge to the Colonies.
• "And what have we to oppose to them? Shall we try argument?" "Sir, nosotros accept been trying that for the last ten years." (sentences 30, 31, and 32). Henry reminds his audience that the Colonies take been trying to negotiate for x years without results.

23. Henry offset mentions slavery in paragraph one when he contrasts it with freedom. Find an case of slave imagery in this paragraph. What is Henry's purpose in using this image in paragraph 3?
In sentence 29 Henry states, "They [the armies and fleets] are sent over to bind and rivet upon u.s. those chains which the British ministry have been and then long forging." He wishes to continue the image of slavery to explain that the Colonies have used argument to combat the attempts of the British to enslave them, but these efforts take failed. Convention delegates included slaveholders who would recognize and recoil from this imagery.

24. Rhetorical parenthesis is the insertion into a sentence of an explanatory word or phrase. Consider sentence 42, "In vain, after these things, may we indulge the addicted hope of peace and reconciliation." Identify the parenthesis and Henry'southward purpose for including it.
The parenthesis is "after these things," and Henry is referring to the Colonies' attempts at reconciliation. By using the parenthesis he connects those failed attempts to the end of the "hope of peace and reconciliation."

25. Metonomy and synecdoche are special types of metaphors. In a metonomy, something strongly associated with an element is substituted for it (for case, "The White House" is substituted for "the President"). In a synecdoche, part of an element substitutes for the whole (for instance, "farm easily" means "subcontract laborers"). Find an example of metonomy and synecdoche in this paragraph and place what each represents.
"The foot of the throne" (sentence 41) is metonomy, representing the King. "Tyrannical hands of the ministry and Parliament" (sentence 40) is synecdoche, representing the British regime.

26. Henry finishes this paragraph with an appeal to logic in the form of an "if… then" argument. What is the "if… then" statement in this paragraph?
He states in sentence 44, "If we wish to be free… [then] nosotros must fight"!

27. Henry builds to a syllogistic statement, an appeal to logic, at the end of this paragraph. Place the 3 parts of his syllogism (Major premise [A], Minor premise [B], and Determination), citing evidence from the text.

• Major premise [A]: We must either talk or fight to attain results.
• Minor premise [B]: Talking does not achieve results.
• Decision: Therefore, we must fight to achieve results.

For more data most syllogisms, come across Understanding Syllogisms

28. In this paragraph Henry uses emotional appeals, language intended to create an emotional response from the audience. Choose iii examples of emotional language from excerpt 3. Yous may choose words, phrases, imagery, or other language elements. For each of your examples explain how they are intended to agitate Henry's audience.
Answers will vary.

(thirteen) I have but i lamp by which my feet are guided; and that is the lamp of experience. (14) I know of no mode of judging of the future but by the past. (15) And judging by the past, I wish to know what there has been in the conduct of the British ministry building for the last ten years, to justify those hopes with which gentlemen take been pleased to solace themselves, and the House? (16) Is it that insidious grinning with which our petition has been lately received? (17) Trust information technology not, sir; it volition testify a snare to your feet. (18) Suffer not yourselves to exist betrayed with a kiss. (nineteen) Inquire yourselves how this gracious reception of our petition comports with these war-like preparations which encompass our waters and darken our land. (xx) Are fleets and armies necessary to a work of love and reconciliation? (21) Take we shown ourselves so unwilling to be reconciled, that force must be called in to win back our dearest? (22) Let us not deceive ourselves, sir. (23) These are the implements of war and subjugation; the last arguments to which kings resort. (24) I enquire, gentlemen, sir, what means this martial array, if its purpose be not to force us to submission? (25) Can gentlemen assign whatever other possible motive for information technology? (26) Has Not bad Uk whatsoever enemy, in this quarter of the globe, to call for all this accumulation of navies and armies? (27) No, sir, she has none. (28) They are meant for us; they can be meant for no other. (29) They are sent over to bind and rivet upon u.s. those chains which the British ministry building has been so long forging. (xxx) And what have we to oppose to them? (31) Shall nosotros endeavor argument? (32) Sir, we accept been trying that for the concluding ten years. (33) Accept nosotros anything new to offering upon the subject? (34) Nothing. (35) We take held the subject up in every light of which information technology is capable; but information technology has been all in vain. (36) Shall we resort to entreaty and apprehensive supplication? (37) What terms shall we find which have not been already exhausted? (38) Allow united states non, I beseech yous, sir, deceive ourselves. (39) Sir, we have done everything that could exist done, to avert the storm which is at present coming on. (40) We take petitioned; nosotros take remonstrated; we have supplicated; we have prostrated ourselves before the throne, and have implored its interposition to arrest the tyrannical easily of the ministry and Parliament. (41) Our petitions have been slighted; our remonstrances have produced additional violence and insult; our supplications have been disregarded; and we have been spurned, with contempt, from the human foot of the throne. (42) In vain, after these things, may we indulge the fond hope of peace and reconciliation. (43) There is no longer any room for hope. (44) If we wish to be free, if we mean to preserve inviolate those costive privileges for which nosotros have been then long contending, if we hateful non basely to abandon the noble struggle in which nosotros have been and so long engaged, and which we have pledged ourselves never to abandon until the glorious object of our contest shall be obtained, we must fight! (45) I repeat it, sir, we must fight! (46) An appeal to arms and to the God of Hosts is all that is left us!

Patrick Henry'southward "Treason" speech before the House of Burgesses on May 30, 1765.

Paragraph 4: Refutatio

Shut Reading Questions

29. The refutatio presents and refutes counter arguments. In paragraph iv Henry uses procatalepsis, an argumentative strategy that anticipates an objection and then answers it. What argument does he conceptualize and what two rhetorical strategies does he use to refute it?
He anticipates the argument that the Colonies are too weak to fight. He answers it through tonal shifts and appeals.

thirty. Henry shifts tone in the beginning of this paragraph to irony, the use of language that conveys the opposite of the intended meaning. How does he convey a ironic tone? Cite bear witness from the text.
He uses ironic rhetorical questions — questions that convey the contrary of what he attempts to argue. Examples include "Will it be when we are totally disarmed, and when a British guard shall be stationed in every house" and the 2 questions that follow information technology (sentences 50, 51, and 52).

31. How does Henry shift from a ironic tone back to his urgent argument? Cite testify from the text.
He inserts appeals to ethos, logos, and pathos. He appeals to ethos in sentence 53 by saying "nosotros are not weak if we make a proper use of those means which the God of nature hath placed in our ability." In sentence 54 he appeals to Logos and pathos past citing "three millions of people (logos) armed in the holy cause of liberty (pathos), and in such a country equally that which we possess (pathos, patriotism)."

32. In sentence 58, what does Henry mean by "we have no ballot"?
He ways there is no choice but to fight.

33. Nearly of the British military machine action to this point had occurred in and effectually Boston. How does Henry effort to connect the fate of Virginia to that of Boston, and why would he wish to make this connection?
He uses the possessive pronoun "our" when discussing the chains, even though the clanking is heard is Boston. This addresses one of the objections made by southern colonies to taking up arms against the British — that the "trouble" was centered in Massachusetts, not Virginia.

34. Asyndeton is a serial of phrases or words with conjunctions deleted. Find an example of asyndeton in this paragraph. What is its purpose?
An case is in sentence 57, "the vigilant, the active, the brave." Henry uses this to emphasize the positive qualities of those who will take up the battle.

35. Find an example of Henry's return to an epitome of slavery at the end of this paragraph. What is the purpose of returning to this metaphor even so over again?
In sentences 61 and 62 he states, "Our chains are forged! Their clanking may exist heard on the plains of Boston!" He challenges his audience with the fact that they are already enslaved and implies that they must themselves remove the chains. His use of pronouns reinforces the idea that the chains heard in Boston are besides the chains of Virginians. (The mention of Boston well-nigh probably refers to the Intolerable Acts and their enforcement.)

(47) They tell u.s.a., sir, that we are weak; unable to cope with so formidable an adversary. (48) Simply when shall nosotros exist stronger? (49) Will it be the next week, or the next year? (l) Will it be when we are totally disarmed, and when a British guard shall exist stationed in every business firm? (51) Shall nosotros gather strength by irresolution and inaction? (52) Shall we acquire the means of effectual resistance, past lying supinely on our backs, and hugging the delusive phantom of hope, until our enemies shall have bound united states of america hand and foot? (53) Sir, nosotros are not weak if we make a proper use of those ways which the God of nature hath placed in our power. (54) Three millions of people, armed in the holy cause of liberty, and in such a country as that which nosotros possess, are invincible by whatsoever force which our enemy can ship confronting us. (55) Also, sir, we shall not fight our battles alone. (56) In that location is a merely God who presides over the destinies of nations; and who volition enhance upwards friends to fight our battles for us. (57) The battle, sir, is non to the strong lone; it is to the vigilant, the active, the brave. (58) Besides, sir, we have no election. (59) If nosotros were base of operations enough to want it, it is at present too late to retire from the contest. (60) At that place is no retreat just in submission and slavery! (61) Our chains are forged! (62) Their clanking may exist heard on the plains of Boston! (63) The war is inevitable and let information technology come! (64) I repeat information technology, sir, let information technology come.

Paragraph v: Peroratio

Shut Reading Questions

36. The Peroratio, or conclusion, has several purposes, including: to recapitulate an argument, to dilate reasoning, to inspire an audience, and to rouse emotional responses. Cite an instance from the text of each of these four purposes.

• To restate: "Gentlemen may cry, Peace, Peace just there is no peace." (sentence 66)
• To amplify: "the war is actually begun" (sentence 67)
• To rouse: "Why stand we hither idle?" (sentence lxx)
• To inspire: "Give me liberty or give me death" (judgement 75)

37. What image does Henry use to convey that the boxing has already begun?
He states in sentence 68, "the next gale… volition bring to our ears the disharmonism of resounding artillery."

38. In sentences 70 through 73, Henry uses a serial of questions which directly challenge his fellow delegates. What is his purpose in asking these questions?
He wishes to inspire his colleagues to artillery, in club to avoid the "chains and slavery."

39. In sentence 75, probably the most famous sentence from this speech, Henry uses antonym to fix a clear contrast. What does he contrast? What is the issue of this contrast?
He contrasts liberty and death, concluding that without liberty expiry is preferable.

40. Sententia, especially useful in speeches, is an argumentative device that uses sound to sum upward an statement. What is the sententia in this voice communication?
"Give me liberty or give me death!"

41. How does Henry's concluding statement, "Give me liberty or give me death" represent the backbone of both Henry and his audience?
Henry states that he is willing to endure a traitor's death rather than be denied liberty. This was an either/or choice with nothing in between, and a traitor'south decease was quite probable if the patriot efforts failed. This indicates the courage that Henry displays by making the speech and by implication he recognizes the courage that will be necessary for his fellow delegates to accept action.

(65) Information technology is in vain, sir, to extenuate the thing. (66) Gentlemen may cry, Peace, Peace but there is no peace. (67) The war is actually begun! (68) The side by side gale that sweeps from the north will bring to our ears the clash of resounding arms! (69) Our brethren are already in the field! (seventy) Why stand nosotros here idle? (71) What is it that gentlemen wish? (72) What would they take? (73) Is life so dear, or peace so sweet, as to be purchased at the cost of chains and slavery? (74) Forestall information technology, Almighty God! (75) I know non what course others may take; just every bit for me, give me freedom or give me expiry!

Follow-Up Assignment

How might the format of the Henry oral communication apply to electric current events, particularly in countries and regions of political unrest? If there had been social media in 1775 would this oral communication have been interpreted differently? Investigate the role of social media in the Arab Spring (2012) or other current events as directed by your teacher and and then rewrite this speech for a social media platform. Share your results with your form.

---

Vocabulary Pop-Ups

• entertaining: thinking
• moment: importance
• magnitude: greatness
• revere: highly respect
• indulge: yield to want
• arduous: very difficult
• temporal: worldly
• ache: swell distress
• solace: comfort
• insidious: deceitful
• snare: trap
• petition: formal request
• comports: agrees with
• implements: tools
• subjugation: enslavement
• martial array: warlike display

• rivet: spike firmly
• entreaty: earnest asking
• supplication: meek asking
• beseech: to appeal urgently
• avert: prevent
• remonstrated: forcefully protested
• prostrated: totally submitted
• implored: begged badly
• interposition: influence
• tyrannical: unjustly vicious
• slighted: ignored
• spurned: rejected
• in vain: without event
• inviolate: undisturbed
• inestimable: priceless
• contending: competing

• malevolently: dishonorably
• formidable: powerful
• adversary: enemy
• irresolution: indecision
• effectual: constructive
• supinely: passively
• delusive: misleading
• phantom: ghost
• invincible: cannot be defeated
• vigilant: e'er alert
• ballot: option
• forged: made
• extenuate: stretch out
• gale: strong air current
• resounding: echoing loudly
• brethren: brothers

---

Text:

• Patrick Henry, oral communication to the Virginia Convention, 1775. http://avalon.law.yale.edu/18th_century/patrick.asp

Images:

• George Matthews, "Patrick Henry, half-length portrait." Library of Congress Prints and Photographs Division Washington, D.C. http://www.loc.gov/pictures/resource/det.4a26383/ [accessed August 2015]
• "Patrick Henry on the George Washington equestrian statue at Capitol Square, Richmond, Virginia." http://www.richmond.com/image_d0936222-3d78-11e2-9cd8-001a4bcf6878.html [accessed September 2015]
• "Saint John's Church building, Richmond, Virginia, where Patrick Henry delivered his famous voice communication." Library of Congress Prints and Photographs Division Washington, D.C. http://www.loc.gov/pictures/resources/ppmsca.34917/ [accessed August 2015]
• Peter F. Rothermel, "Patrick Henry'south 'Treason' speech before the House of Burgesses," 1851. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Patrick_Henry#/media/File:Patrick_Henry_Rothermel.jpg [accessed August 2015]
• "'Give me liberty, or give me decease!' Patrick Henry delivering his great spoken language on the rights of the colonies, earlier the Virginia Assembly, convened at Richmond, March 23rd 1775, concluding with the in a higher place sentiment, which became the war cry of the revolution." Lithograph. New York: Published past Currier & Ives, c1876. http://www.loc.gov/pictures/resources/cph.3b50326/ [accessed September 2015]

Antithesis In Patrick Henry's Speech,

Source: https://americainclass.org/patrick-henry-give-me-liberty/

Posted by: holmesswuzzy1946.blogspot.com

Share this post