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Transcript

Patrick Henry Speech Analysis

"Give me Liberty or Give me Death!"

By: Amelia Skoumal Katie Becher Julia Kuehn & Hannah Mueller

Rhetorical Analysis

Five Canons of Rhetoric

SOAPSTone Analysis

Anaphora was used as a rhetorical device in this speech when Henry stated, “We have petitioned; we have remonstrated; we have supplicated...” The definition of anaphora explains the repetition of the same word or group of words at the beginnings of successive sentences. For instance, Henry repeated the words “we have.”

Purpose- This repetition is used to demonstrate what the government and America had done to prevent the war.

Function- The function of the anaphora was used in a list of accomplishments by America and the House members separated by semicolons.

Effect- The effect of anaphora created an emotional connection on the audience. Demonstrating that Congress did everything they could, and it still was not enough. The audience can feel hopeless and turn to Henry for leadership because nothing else has worked.

Rhetorical Analysis

Purpose: The purpose of this speech is to persuade the House members that war is the better option and safer for the long run. Henry states, “If we wish to be free if we mean to preserve inviolate those inestimable privileges for which we have been so long contending if we mean not basely to abandon the noble struggle in which we have been 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!” This shows that Henry was trying to convince the House members that to achieve freedom they must fight because negotiating isn't working for either country.

Memory: Henry uses repetition to emphasize topics pertaining to war and peace in his speech. For example, “Gentlemen may cry, Peace, Peace but there is no peace” (Paragraph 5). This is an example of anadiplosis, which emphasizes how there is no peace in the country. He repeats the word “peace” to illustrate how there will not be peace until after the colonies go to war and gain their freedom.

Pathos was used as a rhetorical device in this speech when Henry stated, “Our petitions have been slighted; our remonstrances have been produced additional violence and insult; our supplications have been disregarded; and we have been spurned, with contempt, from the foot of the throne.” The definition of pathos is evoking feelings from the audience. Henry tied the emotional connection to the audience when using the appeal pathos.

Purpose- The purpose of the device pathos is used in this sentence to create a connection between the audience and Henry. He uses words such as “our, disregarded, insult, and we.” The purpose of these words is to make the audience feel unified and relate to each other through the hardships of their past.

Function- The function of pathos was demonstrated in a list of hardships and examples of what citizens of America had been through. Creating a list with meaningful words fulfills the purpose of feeling unified and connected.

Effect- The effect of pathos allows the audience to be persuaded into Henry’s point of view and want to follow under him as a leader. This is because the audience feels connected to Henry though emotional descriptions of the past.

Five Canons of Rhetoric

Arrangement: Within the speech, Patrick Henry is comparing and contrasting how our past actions have not worked and the only option now is to go to war because it is deemed "inevitable". In paragraph three Henry announces, “There is no longer any room for hope. If we wish to be free if we mean to preserve inviolate those inestimable privileges for which we have so long contending. . .we must fight!” He is saying how the colonies cannot hope for their freedom like they have done in the past. They must act upon the situation and fight for it now. This arrangement has the effect of calling the audience out and showing them how it is time for a much needed change.

Paraphrase

Short sentences were used as a rhetorical device in this speech when Henry stated, “There is no longer any room for hope.” The definition of a short sentence is a simple sentence used to quicken the pace of the speech.

Purpose- The purpose for using a short sentence was to quicken the pace of the speech and add a direct statement to the speech.

Function- The short sentence was able to quicken the pace because it functioned with eight words. The sentence was simple and short in order to get right to the point.

Effect- The effect of this syntax was to imply to the audience clearly, that there is no more time for hope. Henry used this short sentence to get the audience to believe the waiting period is over and they must fight to get what they want.

Paragraph Three:

SOAPSTone Analysis

SOAPSTone Analyis

SOAPSTone Analysis

..."We have fought; we have shown our strength; we have begged and thrown ourselves into the hands of the British asking for nothing but our own freedom back. We finally stand up to a parliament corrupted by tyrannical rulers and oppressive laws. Our fights have been insulted, our strength is weakening, and we have only resolved in violence and threats. In high hopes I follow with the hope of peace and restoration of friendly relations between the British; But there is no longer any hope. If America wishes to remain a superpower we must not turn back now at a time of desperation and evolution. We made a promise to ourselves that we must not abandon our freedom. We must fight! I repeat it, sir, we must fight! Our fight is all we have left."

Tone: Patrick Henry’s tone is passionate as he uses and abundance of exclamatory sentences to verify and support his main idea and claim that war is inevitable. For example, “There is no retreat but in submission and slavery! Our chains are forged!” His tone excites the audience and makes them want to take action.

Subject: The main points throughout the speech are war and peace along with their contradictions. In the speech, Henry discusses how war will lead to freedom and how it is the solution to their problem. The key phrases at the end of the speech prove this as Henry boldly declares, “The war is inevitable and let it come! I repeat it, sir, let it come” and “give me liberty or give me death!” He uses the key words "war" and 'liberty" and closes the speech by yet again showing that war will bring them freedom.

Audience: Henry gave this speech to the Virginia House of Burgesses. At the beginning of the speech Henry addresses the president individually. When addressing the audience, he mentions that they may not have the same opinion as him. For example, “I hope it will not be thought disrespectful to those gentlemen if, entertaining as I do, opinions of a character very opposite to theirs”. This shows that the members of the House had different opinions but the ultimate decision would come from the President.

Occasion: The speech "Give me Freedom or Give me Death!" was given at St. John's Church in Richmond, Virginia at the Second Virginia Convention. Congress was discussing how they would resolve things with Great Britain, and Henry was tired of negotiating so he expressed his opinion on how going to war is a better option.

Five Canons of Rhetoric

Overall this portion of paragraph three emphasizes Patrick Henry's true opinion on the matter as it displays the patriotism he holds for America.

Rhetorical Analysis

Invention: Henry uses ethos to assist and persuade his audience. For example, “No man thinks more highly than I do of the patriotism. . ..” Henry uses this declarative statement as the first sentence to show his devotion to his country. This sentence establishes his credibility so his audience can trust that he is knowledgeable about the argument in order to be persuaded by it.

Exclamatory sentences were used as a rhetorical device in this speech when Henry stated, “We must fight!” The definition of an exclamatory sentence is when the author makes an exclamation. A key part of the sentence is the exclamation point which intensifies the sentence.

Purpose- The purpose of this exclamatory sentence is to intensify the words, “We must fight!” It established the reason why he’s been listing and pointing out the hardships and suffrage citizens of America had experienced.

Function- The function of the exclamatory sentence is creating a powerful sentence, that stands out to the audience.

Effect- The effect of this exclamatory sentence is to make the readers aware of the main idea, in order to be persuaded by Henry. Henry wants the audience to believe him, so he states encouraging words with exclamation marks.

Five Canons of Rhetoric

SOAPSTone Analysis

Metaphors are used as a rhetorical device in this speech. Henry stated, “And we have been spurned, with contempt, from the foot of the throne.” The definition of a metaphor is a figure of speech in which a word or phrase is applied to an object or action to which it is not literally applicable

Purpose- The purpose of the metaphor is to apply that the people of America are filled with contempt because of the government and war.

Function- Henry uses this metaphor to state that people of America and Congress have been spurned with contempt from our own territory and the government has been rejected. Henry did not actually say this, but that is what he was implying.

Effect- The effect of this metaphor is to allow the audience to have a comparison to the actual problem, allowing the people listening to understand his main idea better. Henry wants to put his main idea in a comparison to get the audience’s attention and make them on the same page, that America needs to fight and make a change.

Delivery: Henry delivers his speech by emphasizing main points in the argument. For example, “The war is inevitable and let it come! I repeat it, sir, let it come.” In this sentence, he repeats the words “let it come.” By saying he is repeating the words it puts emphasis on the subject and shows the audience that it is important.

Speaker: Patrick Henry gave the speech "Give me liberty or give me death!”. Henry was the governor of Virginia and one of the founding fathers. He was an important figure in the American Revolution and is known to be well-spoken. His experience in government gives him credibility and trustworthiness. Within the speech Henry states “I have but one lamp by which my feet are guided; and that is the lamp of experience." This directly shows that he is experienced and is creating a sense of trust between himself and the audience.

Style: Henry uses various types of figurative language to express his style in the speech. In the third paragraph he states, “I have but one lamp by which my feet are guided; and that is the lamp of experience.” In this example he is using a metaphor to compare a lamp to experience. This has the effect of showing the audience that his experience will ‘light” the way for the future.

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