“Give it me liberty or I will die,” these famous words were spoken at the Virginia Convention speech, “The Speech In The Virginia Convention,” which Patrick Henry addressed. It was specifically President Randolph’s March of 1775 address. Henry respectfully shares his opinion on the American response to the British conflict. Henry, unlike most other convention members, believes they should approach conflict peacefully. However Henry considers it necessary for them to prepare for war should Britain not comply with colonists orders. Patrick Henry spoke at the Virginia Convention and stated that America should go to war. He also argued that America should be prepared to seize control of Britain if Britain does not comply with its commands.
Patrick Henry, a Virginia Convention member, argues that the colonists should seize Britain and go into war. This is by confronting their current treatment. Henry encourages the convention “to listen to that siren’s song till she transforms our bodies into beasts,” and he refers to the Odyssey as a mythological allusion. Henry is metaphorically comparing Circe’s false hope to the British by luring them onto her island. The false hope of Britain dehumanizes colonists by playing on their emotions, such as anger and sadness. This is called pathos. Henry also mentions the British’s “insidious Smile” with which the petition has been recently received. Henry’s use of the phrase “insidious glance” is a reference to misleading language that would appeal to pathos. Henry confronts colonists and says that they “having eye, see not” and “having ear, hear not.” Henry uses Ezekial 12,:2 to draw attention to pathos. According to the bible, those who cannot see or hear God’s truth will lose their spiritual salvation. He uses this analogy to explain how the British treat colonists. Patrick Henry uses many rhetorical tactics such as allusions and biblical references to confront the British’s treatment of colonists. Patrick Henry uses the example of Britain as “the next gale sweeps” to describe the British military’s progress as a gale from the north. Henry uses this metaphor to explain that the British cannot be stopped by men alone just like a storm can’t stop a storm. This makes it clear that the British will only win the war if God gives them His power. If they don’t give their all to fighting, they’ll be crushed. Patrick Henry shows the consequences of colonists not going to war by explaining it to them as “question or freedom or slavery.” This refers to the need to fight to libert. Because he wants to convince them of the British rule/slavery as an alternative to war, this appeals to emotion. The colonists would be frightened and angry if they were to accept slavery. Patrick Henry used numerous rhetorical appeals for colonists to ask what would happen if they didn’t go into war.
Patrick Henry connects everything he has said about confronting colonists and the consequences of not going to war. He explains that their divine, God-given rights to go to arms with Britain are connected by his statement. Henry says that the colonists must fulfill the “great responsibility which God holds to us.” He uses ethos to appeal to God’s authority. Henry is calling upon God’s truth to show that the colonists have the divine right to seize control of their destiny. Patrick Henry also explained that the colonists should not go to war if they do not want to. He was explaining that this would be a disloyalty to God. This is to demonstrate that God’s authority goes beyond the authority of the kings of Britain. Henry interwoven many references of God throughout his speech to connect all the points.
Patrick Henry asserts that colonists must break with Britain. He confronts the truth of colonists’ treatment and explains the consequences of not going to war. Henry supported his arguments with rhetorical appeals. He used metaphors, diction and metaphors to make the case for independence.
