The Speech To The Virginia Convention Rhetorical Analysis

Rhetorical Analysis of Henry Outline Introduction Attention getter- Thesis- The rhetorical devices in the Speech to the Virginia Convention by Patrick Henry is very effective. Appeals Emotional Context and quote- This quote appears during Henry responds to the opposing argument, giving reasons to refute it. â€Å"There is no retreat, but in submission and slavery! Our chains are forged! Their clanking may be heard on the plains of Boston! The war is inevitable and let it come! I repeat it, sir, let it come† (82). Effective- Henry is mentioning the motif of slavery. He exclaims how the colonies would essentially become prisoners under the control of the British. He uses the word â€Å"clanking† to appeal to pathos to create the horrid images†¦show more content†¦Use of Language Allusion Context and quote- Henry makes an allusion to Homer’s Odyssey during his speech in the Virginia Convention. â€Å"We are apt to shut our eyes against a painful truth, and listen to the song of that siren till she transforms us into beasts† (81). Effective- In The Odyssey, Odysseus’ men fall asleep while listening to the soothing singing of the siren Circe, who then transforms each of the men into beasts. Henry uses this allusion to compare the well-known book to the state of affairs between the colonies and Great Britain. His goal is to convince the colonial leaders that they have no choice but to fight against the British. Henry wants to ensure that the colonists do not remain idle while the British transform them into beasts. The colonists needs to take action and fight for their freedom. Restatement Context and quote- Henry is describing how powerful and great the army of the colonies could be if they attempted. â€Å"The battle, sir, is not to the strong alone; it is to the vigilant, the active, the brave† (82). Effective- Henry uses restatement to stress the importance of the impending war. He feels strongly that a war is needed because the colonists must fight for their freedom. War isn’t only for those who can and will fight, it’s for anyone who wants a better life. The battle is for the brave people, and the ones who are ready for danger, and are active. Because theyShow MoreRelatedRhetorical Analysis Of Speech To The Virginia Convention863 Words   |  4 PagesPatrick Henry, a speaker at the Virginia Convention, proclaims, â€Å"I know not what course others may take; but as for me, give me liberty or give me death!† (Henry 7). 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