Literary+Devices

Literary Devices
Henry uses a variety of literary devices to create a style of rhetoric which sways his audience to believe that the American Revolution must begin.

-Used by Henry to refer the tyrrany and oppression of Britain, which would turn them into beasts whose role was to create exports for the British Empire. Whereas the colonists wanted freedom and the rights of British citizens, Britain saw them as workers for the advancement of the Empire. - Refers to how Judas betrayed Jesus in the garden of Gethsamane. He gave Jesus a kiss, which was a sign of respect to a teacher, but also a prearranged signal that identified Jesus to the mob and Pharisees. Seen as one of the greatest betrayals in history, and he is in the lowest layer of Hell (according to Dante) -Used by Henry to refer to how the positive reception of the colonists’ petition should not be seen as genuine enthusiasm by parliament, but as a foil so that parliament may work to take away the rights of the colonists, which is evidenced by the “warlike preparations which cover our waters and darken our lands” -Refers to the Quartering Act, which the colonists believed allowed the British soldiers to be housed in their homes. This, in the colonists view, violated the Petition of Right, which outlawed the housing of soldiers. However, the act only applied to the housing of soldiers in unoccupied buildings. This was a part of the Intolerable Acts. -Used by Henry to emphasize that the time for rebellion is now, that parliament may pass laws that only make the colonies weaker and less efficient; undermining their ability to rebel. -refers to Ezekiel 12:2: “Son of man, thou dwellest in the midst of a rebellious house, which have eyes to see, and see not; they have ears to hear, and hear not: for they are a rebellious house.” -Henry uses this to refer to how the British method of taking away rights impairs the colonist’s ability to see or hear, which leads to the loss of salvation (freedom). In effect, he is stating that the British are slowly debilitating the colonists into a mindless labor force to supply them with Tobacco and Wood. -Refers to Psalm 119:105, which states “Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path.” -Used by Henry to appeal to authority, as it is an appeal to a Godly figure, which aligns the quest for freedom and liberty with religion. This is often used, aligning a cause with religion, since religion was very prevalent in that period.
 * Allusions**
 * “song of that siren till she transforms us into beasts”- refers to the Greek sirens, who were mythical beasts whose enchanting song spurned sailors onto the rocks, which led to their transformation into pigs by Circe. It is discussed in the Odyssey, when Odysseus bound himself to the mast and put wax in his men’s ears.
 * “Suffer not yourselves to be betrayed with a kiss”
 * “When a British Guard shall be stationed at every house?”
 * “Are we disposed to be of the number of those who having eyes see not, andhaving ears hear not, the things which so nearly concern their temporal salvation.”
 * “I have but one lamp by which by feet are guided, and that is the lamp of experience.”

– Ethos plays a big part in this situation because he’s obviously very much so about his country and so by sharing this with the House as well as other people around him he’s showing his own moral beliefs and establishing his competence of the situation as well as, in a sense, gaining the trust of the people.
 * Ethos**
 * “No man thinks more highly than I do of the patriotism, as well as abilities, of the very worthy gentlemen who have just addressed the House.”

- This shows ethos because he's showing his own belief which is that he would rather stand up for his country and fight for it's people. Also because he's establishing his place amongst the people of the country and since he is one of them he is more likely to prove his point and gain the trust and respect of the people in his fight for liberty.
 * "...but as for me, give me liberty or give me death!"


 * Do you think the argument presented by morality is more effective then the use of logic? Explain why or why not.

**Logos** -States that Britain is not trying to gain the "love" of the colonists; they are trying to retake the colonies by force. Britain's sending of millitary force to quell the rebellious nature of the colonists is seen here as a threat by Henry. Therefore, he is appealing to logic, by saying that the British use of millitary force is an attempt to destroy the colonist's spirit of rebellion. Logically, one does not try to gain love by intimidation. So, Henry deduces that the British are not trustworthy and a rebellion is necessary to protect their economic and personal liberties. -Here, Henry is appealing to logic by discussing the weakening spirit within the colonies due to the Intolerable Acts. Due to the Quartering Act, which the colonists believed would station "a British Guard in every house", their strength would be signifigantly undermined by the presence of the increasing millitary activity by the British in the colonies. -Henry is using an appeal to logic by stating that no matter what they do, war will come. This is the climax and main point of his speech, that the colonies must go to war to protect their own intrests and gain freedom. He is attempting to show his fellow men that there is only one remaining course, and that they should follow that course into a war of revolution.
 * "Are fleets and armies necessary to a work of love and reconciliation? Have we shown ourselves so unwilling to be reconciled, that force must be called in to win back our love?"
 * "They tell us, sir, that we are weak; unable to cope with so formidable an adversary. But when shall we be stronger? Will it be the next week, or the next year?"
 * "The war is inevitable and let it come! I repeat it, sir, let it come."


 * Pathos**
 * "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."
 * "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."


 * Do you believe that the emotional appeal is an effective form of rhetoric? In what ways could emotional appeals backfire?

**Rhetorical Shift** -Patrick Henry begins his speech by saying that every man is worthy and that he believes in patriotism. He shifts his speech by stating that each man sees things in a different light. Henry doesn’t want to disrespect anyone, but he feels that each man in the House feels differently about the subject of war, and that he is going to state his opinion about the conflict. He wants to talk freely about what he believes is happening in society and Henry wants people to listen to him.
 * "No man thinks more highly than I do of the patriotism, as well as abilities, of the very worthy gentlemen who have just addressed the House. 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."

-This quote is a progression of feelings, Patrick starts off by stating all the things that the house has done, “Sir, we have done everything that could be done, to avert the storm which is now coming on. 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.” Then he goes on say that if Virginia wished to be free they must fight, which changes the whole mood of the speech.
 * "Let us not, I beseech you, sir, deceive ourselves. Sir, we have done everything that could be done, to avert the storm which is now coming on. 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. 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 foot of the throne. In vain, after these things, may we indulge the fond hope of peace and reconciliation. There is no longer any room for hope. If we wish to be free² if we mean to preserve inviolate those inestimable privileges for which we have been so long contending²if 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! I repeat it, sir, we must fight! An appeal to arms and to the God of Hosts is all that is left us!"

-Throughout the entire speech Patrick Henry wants the House to listen to him and what he believes needs to happen for them to win the war. In his closing paragraph of his speech Henry starts off by being calm by talking about peace and crying, but soon after he shifts to a determined tone. Patrick delivers his most famous phrase, “give me liberty or give me death”, which demanded the attention of the Virginia House of Burgesses.
 * "It is in vain, sir, to extenuate the matter. Gentlemen may cry, Peace, Peace²but there is no peace. The war is actually begun! The next gale that sweeps from the north will bring to our ears the clash of resounding arms! Our brethren are already in the field! Why stand we here idle? What is it that gentlemen wish? What would they have? Is life so dear, or peace so sweet, as to be purchased at the price of chains and slavery? Forbid it, Almighty God! I know not what course others may take; but as for me, give me liberty or give me death!"


 * Rhetorical Structure**


 * Right away Patrick Henry starts out saying how he is as patriotic as the next man, and how he respects the mother country. "MR. PRESIDENT: No man thinks more highly than I do of the patriotism, as well as abilities, of the very worthy gentlemen who have just addressed the House. 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."
 * "it is natural to man to indulge in the illusions of hope. We are apt to shut our eyes against a painful truth" Henry then talks about how we try to focus on the things of beauty or what seems good to us instead of facing reality. So from the first paragraph in which he builds up his credibility by talking about patriotism and loyalty, in the second paragraph he begins to tackle the situation that faces them as Americans.
 * Henry questions the thought of people at the time that Britain's army lay waiting with their Navy to preserve the friendship. "Ask yourselves how this gracious reception of our petition comports with these war-like preparations which cover our waters and darken our land. Are fleets and armies necessary to a work of love and reconciliation?" No, they are here to quell this uprising that they have started states henry. He then says how the only way to not lose this freedom that they had worked so hard for would be to fight. "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!"
 * Next, Henry tries to inspire the people at the Virginia convention with words of encouragement. "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."
 * In conclusion, It's very obvious his plan of attack was premeditated and he planned to say these things in this logical order. He wants to start with having people on his side by respecting him and wants to end with even more people on his side rallying around this fighting spirit.

Is Henry's structure condusive to his argument?