He appeals to ethos in sentence 53 by saying "we are not weak if we make a proper use of those means which the God of nature hath placed in our power." How does the ethical appeal in sentence 7 relate to the ethical appeal in sentence 1? And what have we to oppose to them? And, then you have unique poetic structures, like couplets, stanzas, and antithesis. He is suggesting that radical change, either positive or negative, needs to happen and will happen in order for the colonies to become free. 2023 eNotes.com, Inc. All Rights Reserved. It tells us that a Green Lanterns duty is to fight evil during the best of times and the worst of times. He connects this with the biblical verse because it shows that he knows what he is doing, and how it will guide him along the path. i repeat it, sir, we must fight. 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." Sententia, especially useful in speeches, is an argumentative device that uses sound to sum up an argument. (7) Should I keep back my opinions at such a time, through fear of giving offence, I should consider myself as guilty of treason towards my country, and of an act of disloyalty toward the majesty of heaven, which I revere above all earthly kings. Why does he use the term "ceremony"? (27) No, sir, she has none. He urged his fellow Americans living in the thirteen colonies to call to . He means there is no choice but to fight. Our summaries and analyses are written by experts, and your questions are answered by real teachers. For each of your examples explain how they are intended to arouse Henry's audience. The Convention members consider themselves to be men of integrity and ethics, as Henry acknowledged in sentence 1. The sentenia in the Peroratio uses the religion of the majority of the audience to encourage them to fight for peace and freedom. (43) There is no longer any room for hope. In sentence 3 what does Henry mean when he says, this is no time for ceremony? On the one hand, these are supposedly decaying corpses that belong six feet under. Pronounced ann-TITH-uh-sis, the word comes from the Greek for "set against." The purpose of the debate, of which this speech is a part, is to arrive at truth and fulfill the great responsibility which we hold to God and our country (sentence 6). Henry uses the term "gentlemen" twice in the first two sentences to show his respect for speakers that have come before him. By appealing to religion as he calls upon the "majesty of heaven," Henry makes an ethical (ethos) appeal that his audience will understand intellectually and emotionally. The text of this speech is well known; less well known is the fact that there was no actual transcript created of Henrys speech after all, these discussions smacked of treason, and keeping a written record would have been dangerous. In sentences 70 through 73, Henry uses a series of questions which directly challenge his fellow delegates. Its like having a boat with a strong motor, but then you shut off the motor and hope the current will be strong enough to take you where you need to go. What rhetorical devices are used in Patrick Henry's speech? He inserts appeals to ethos, logos, and pathos. Minor premise [B]: Talking does not achieve results. -To inspire: "Give me liberty or give me death" (sentence 75). (40) We have petitioned; we have remonstrated; we have supplicated; we have prostrated ourselves before the throne, and have implored its interposition to arrest the tyrannical hands of the ministry and Parliament. He wants the listeners to understand that there are only two options; freedom, which he is advocating, or slavery, which he knows these proud, wealthy men, many of whom are slaveholders, will not tolerate. Henry is implying that not seeing or listening to his argument will lead to destruction. His purpose of including it is that people will understand what the phrase is. 34. Henry's purpose in using this image in paragraph 3 is to explain that the Colonies failed when they attempted to fight (fight meaning argue) the British that are trying to enslave them. The return to an image of slavery is shown when Henry says, "There is no retreat but in submission and slavery. Freedom Or Slavery: Analysis Of Patrick Henry's Speech In The Virginia Convention . He states in sentence 68, the next gale will bring to our ears the clash of resounding arms., 38. Would they rather ignore the situation and have dangerous outcomes (this choice is defined by the previous allusions to the sirens and Ezekiel) or instead know the truth and prepare? We have petitioned; we have remonstrated; we have supplicated; we have prostrated; [we] have implored He uses the parallel structure to indicate the process by which the Colonies have taken multiple steps to resolve differences. If I were forced to write out exactly what Armstrong meant with his quote, it would be something like this. In sentence 5, when Henry states, "I consider it as nothing less than a question of freedom or slavery," he commits a logical fallacy. Why does Henry use the term "gentlemen" twice in the first two sentences? Patrick Henry is not speaking in the Virginia House of Burgesses [the state legislature] in Williamsburg because it had been dissolved the year before by Royal Governor Dunmore. (4) The question before the House is one of awful moment to this country. Henry is saying that the British are clearly preparing for war, no matter what they may protest to the contrary, and therefore, the colonists need to be prepared as well. (2) But different men often see the same subject in different lights; and, therefore, I hope it will not be thought disrespectful to those gentlemen if, entertaining as I do, opinions of a character very opposite to theirs, I shall speak forth my sentiments freely, and without reserve. Posted on Published: March 14, 2021- Last updated: September 18, 2022. Alexander Drive, P.O. 8. Why does he use the term ceremony? In brightest day, in blackest night. 39. What is the "if then" statement in this paragraph? Of course, Henry does not actually suggest that the people take on this action, because he is implying that this kind of action is totally wrong. Henry cautions his audience that the hopes of the past may have been used to comfort the Convention, but such comfort is an illusion and will not last. Another function of the exordium is to explain the purpose of the speech. He reminds his audience that he, like them, is a believer and is trustworthy. 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 take action. (61) Our chains are forged! A hypophora is useful to present to an audience issues they may not have considered in depth. For Example: 9 Alternatives For You to Choose From. (6) It is only in this way that we can hope to arrive at truth, and fulfill the great responsibility which we hold to God and our country. He responds with rhetorical questions. If they do not take action they will end up being enslaved for sure. He chooses verbs that are increasingly dramatic to remind his audience that the Colonies have tried everything without result. In sentence 75, probably the most famous sentence from this speech, Henry uses antithesis to set up a clear contrast. For each of your examples explain how they are intended to arouse Henrys audience. The time for vacillation is over; there is no longer any point in trying to compromise with the British. 0000004778 00000 n (74) Forbid it, Almighty God! Do you know Patrick Henry's famous line that owes its zip to antithesis? What does he contrast? In the second paragraph Henry spoke of the illusions of hope. In sentence 43 he says, There is no longer any room for hope. Why did he use this term again? 9.;;0pV#i?mAYw3Y6L~Xe~XPgv31m5Q5^. (53) Sir, we are not weak if we make a proper use of those means which the God of nature hath placed in our power. (67) The war is actually begun! Henry again makes a Biblical allusion in sentence 18, Suffer not yourselves to be betrayed with a kiss. Christ was betrayed by his disciple Judas through the kiss of brotherhood, which led to Christs arrest and crucifixion (Luke 22:47). 7. Henry uses the word hope several times in this speech. He is recognizing the treasonable nature of this discussion, displaying not only his own courage but asking his fellow delegates to show courage as well. The false dichotomy (either-or) fallacy gives only two options with no choices in between, and Henry uses this intentionally. Henry uses this phrase because he wants to establish to his audience the great importance of acting upon the constraints and unjust of the British. What argument does he anticipate and what two rhetorical strategies does he use to refute it? One really famous example is Neil Armstrong's statement as he stepped onto the moon's surface; he said, "One small step for man; one giant leap for mankind." He clearly indicates that he chooses the second option. Patrick Henry, speech to the Virginia Convention, March 23, 1775. To better understand what that was all about, lets take a look at a few classic examples. Most of the British military action to this point had occurred in and around Boston. Since Judas betrayed Christ, Henry is alluding to the British Ministry betraying the colonies. What does "give me liberty or give me death" mean? The rhetorical parenthesis is peace and reconciliation. Juxtaposition means to put two elements side by side, often for comparison. Antithesis "There is no retreat but in submission and slavery." Ethos (Ethical Appeal) APPEAL: "Sir, we are not weak, if we make a proper use of the means which the God of nature hath placed in our power." Logos (Logical Appeal) APPEAL: " What terms shall we find which have not been already exhausted? By now, I hope you see how common antithesis is. 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. Statue of Patrick Henry, Richmond, Virginia. Give an example of an "illusion of hope" that Henry suggests in this second paragraph. How might the format of the Henry speech apply to current events, especially in countries and regions of political unrest? Major premise [A]: We must either talk or fight to achieve results. Frederick Douglass, using antithesis in his powerful anti-slavery speech, "The Meaning of the Fourth of July to the Negro". What is the sententia in this speech? 24. Henry uses parallelism (structuring phrases in similar fashion) several times in this paragraph. The Narratio contextualizes the argument, including presenting any background information necessary, while the Confirmatio lays out in order the evidence to support the thesis. Patrick Henry Before the Virginia House of Burgesses (1851), Peter F. Rothermel. No guts, no glory. Below, watch and listen as Armstrong says it himself, setting foot on the moon for the first time. Whether tis nobler in the mind to suffer 0000001904 00000 n Hoping that the war will not come, and lack of action is all in vain. It relies on parallel phrases, remember? (54) Three millions of people, armed in the holy cause of liberty, and in such a country as that which we possess, are invincible by any force which our enemy can send against us. This shows that their chains are meant for only the Americans to be chained and that the "war is inevitable". Juxtaposition means to put two elements side by side, often for comparison. Antithesis means to put two ideas together in order to contrast them, pointing out their differences. There is alliteration, assonance, imagery, metaphor, rhyme, and onomatopoeia. Britain had severely restricted Massachusetts through the Intolerable Acts; towns were voting to boycott British goods, and British soldiers were becoming a common sight in the American Colonies. The first paragraph of classical argument, the exordium, seeks to engage the audience and prepare them to hear the speakers message. 34 22 Henry first mentions slavery in paragraph one when he contrasts it with freedom. We can be forced to fight. How, in this sentence, does Henry suggest that his listeners can trust him? (17) Trust it not, sir; it will prove a snare to your feet. In sentence 54 he appeals to Logos and pathos by citing "three millions of people (logos) armed in the holy cause of liberty (pathos), and in such a country as that which we possess (pathos, patriotism).". (56) There is a just God who presides over the destinies of nations; and who will raise up friends to fight our battles for us. 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. 32. 0000003309 00000 n Henry will contain the truth in his argument regardless of the cost of realizing the illusion of hope and will try to use the truth to benefit their cause. In sentence 1 Henry acknowledges the patriotism of the members of the House who have just spoken. What would they have?". 2. Answers will vary. Ellos hablan con la Sra. What is its purpose? This allusion contributes to Henry's argument by drawing parallels between hope and the sirens, implying that hope is tempting to fall into, but is detrimental in the long run. (63) The war is inevitable and let it come! He clearly indicates that he chooses the second option. Patrick Henry, speech to the Virginia Convention, March 23, 1775, http://avalon.law.yale.edu/18th_century/patrick.asp, http://www.loc.gov/pictures/resource/det.4a26383/, http://www.richmond.com/image_d0936222-3d78-11e2-9cd8-001a4bcf6878.html, http://www.loc.gov/pictures/resource/ppmsca.34917/, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Patrick_Henry#/media/File:Patrick_Henry_Rothermel.jpg, http://www.loc.gov/pictures/resource/cph.3b50326/, Lexington and Concord: Tipping Point of the Revolution, ELA-LITERACY.RI.11-12.1 (cite evidence to analyze specifically and by inference), ELA-LITERACY.RI.11-12.4 (determine the meaning of words and phrases), ELA-LITERACY.RI.11-12.6 (determine authors point of view), Key Concept 3.1 (IIB) (arguments about rights of British subjects, the rights of the individual,), The first two paragraphs form the introduction (, The third paragraph provides the statement of fact (, The fourth paragraph presents and refutes counter arguments (, The final paragraph forms the conclusion (, Text analysis and close reading questions. trailer 10. Henry does this in sentences 11 and 12. (sentence 70) For more information about syllogisms, see Understanding Syllogisms. His recommendations were accepted by the Convention. 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). Why does he use this phrase? startxref When a poet sings their verses, there is always a strange sense that they are talking to you, the listener. xb```"Veah`0-:ov;gatI\$KID)n'*,2DUHCxbKZKbA%>H2Xf`XKt|yN*0cn{ Y@ 0 18. Their clanking may be heard on the plains of Boston!" MR. Antithesis, broadly defined, means juxtaposing opposing ideas. However, in my humble opinion, the line doesnt pop. Henry used not only rhetorical devices but also the strategies of classical argument, making a potentially confusing situation simple and straightforward as he attempted to move all his fellow delegates toward the same result.