Patrick Henry Rhetorical Analysis Essay

The Speech that Ignited the War
Speeches usually persuade and motivate. They contain rhetorical devices that helps persuade the audience. In the “Speech to the Virginia Convention,” Patrick Henry persuaded colonists to go to war against Britain. He demonstrates this with his powerful diction, imagery, his credibility and allusions throughout his speech.
As the speech commences Henry appeals to his audience with ethos. His credibility opens the audience's ears and he seizes the audience's attention. “No man thinks more highly than I do of the patriotism…of the very worthy gentlemen who have just addressed the House” (Henry p.263). Henry grabs the attention of the audience by eulogizing them. He makes them feel noble and honorable, which of course is going to reel them in. The audience gains trust because of the credibility, his character. “…but as for me, give me liberty or give me …show more content…
One of those devices is imagery. Henry's imagery engages the audience by using powerful images. He states “Our chains are forged”(p.266). This persuades the audience by provoking their feelings with the usage of slavery. This riles up the people because during this time slavery was present. Slaves had no rights. America is under Britain's control as if America is Britain's slave. They are in chains. Henry as well states, “We are apt to shut our eyes against a painful truth” (Henry p.263). He is explaining how the nation isn't facing reality of how tyrannical Britain is. The people of America are being ignorant. Usually when someone has a premonition they decide to turn their head the other way and ignore it and that's what the people of America did. They chose to ignore what Britain was doing to their nation, to their home. Henry stated this because he wants to open the eyes of the nation to persuade them to go to war due to Britain's war-like actions. To fight for their rights and free themselves from

Show More