The speech was so inspiring that it ignited a massive flame of patriotism. Urgent, pleading, inflammatory Paragraph 1 1. He is appealing to the ethical integrity of his audience by articulating their earthly and heavenly responsibilities. Examples include Will it be when we are totally disarmed, and when a British guard shall be stationed in every house and the two questions that follow it (sentences 50, 51, and 52). MR. Choose three examples of emotional language from excerpt 3. Sententia, especially useful in speeches, is an argumentative device that uses sound to sum up an argument. In his powerful, dramatic speech to the Virginia Convention, Patrick Henry wants to instill a sense of urgency in his listeners. He is emphasizing the time-sensitive nature of this debate and establishing the importance of immediate, serious discussion rather than a postponement of the issue (recall that some members of the Convention wished to wait until negotiations had run their course before beginning military preparedness). 41. Enjoy eNotes ad-free and cancel anytime. He prepares his audience by expresses the hope that they will show him the same respect when he states in sentence 2, I hope it will not be thought disrespectful Even though he will be speaking contrary to what has been previously presented, he reminds his audience that they are all colleagues by referring to the entire group, as in sentence 6, we can hope to arrive at the truth.. For example, we describe zombies as the living dead, which illustrates their contradictory nature. The major premise [A] is we must either fight or talk to achieve results, the minor premise [B] is talking does not achieve results, and the conclusion is since talking does not achieve results we must fight. Henry's use of antithesis is particularly skillful, as it simplifies the matter at hand to such an extent that subtlety and nuance are no longer options. (13) I have but one lamp by which my feet are guided; and that is the lamp of experience. In the same vein, Henry states the question of war against Great Britain in antithetical terms as a choice between "freedom or slavery.". How does Henry attempt to connect the fate of Virginia to that of Boston, and why would he wish to make this connection? Why? Our online magazine with tips, news, and instruction for you. Will it be the next week, or the next year? %%EOF To Henry, a life of slavery is not a life at all and hence not worth living "Is life so dear, or peace so dear as to be purchased at the price of chains and slavery? Resources for Understanding Text Complexity, Resources for Writing High-Quality Text Dependent Questions, Advisor: Robert A. Ferguson, George Edward Woodberry Professor in Law, Literature and Criticism, Columbia University, National Humanities Center FellowCopyright National Humanities Center, 2015. Find an example of slave imagery in this paragraph. Henry uses the word "hope" several times in this speech. He uses this to highlight the fact that the people should trust him and his words. Henry continues to use "gentlemen" in this paragraph. Henry uses the word hope several times in this speech. The refutatio presents and refutes counter arguments. xb```"Veah`0-:ov;gatI\$KID)n'*,2DUHCxbKZKbA%>H2Xf`XKt|yN*0cn{ Y@ 0 Henry uses the term "ceremony" to stress the importance of not trying to just placate the situation, but deal with the truth. (69) Our brethren are already in the field! In this lesson students will deconstruct Patrick Henrys famous speech to explore the tools of effective persuasion, including appeals, rhetorical strategies, and classical argument. (23) These are the implements of war and subjugation; the last arguments to which kings resort. How, in this sentence, does Henry suggest that his listeners can trust him? 0000002858 00000 n 14. He says "Shall we acquire the means of effectual resistance by lying supinely on our backs and hugging the delusive phantom of hope, until our enemies shall have bound us hand and foot?". They are used in Patrick Henry's extemporaneous speech "Give Me Liberty, or Give me Death." Henry, a revolutionary leader, made this speech at the meeting of the Virginia convention on March 23, 1775. (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. He uses rhetorical strategies and appeals to further develop his argument, making sure that each item is contextualized from the Colonial perspective. repetition like: we must fight! Then, in sentence seven, he introduces his own ethics and how he must be loyal to his country and to God. If they do not take action they will end up being enslaved for sure. He answers it through tonal shifts and appeals. I have provided an example for each type of antithesis from Henry's speech. He wants to maintain his respect for his audience and remind them that he is one of them. Who does Henry believe represents Judas and how does this allusion as a metaphor contribute to Henrys argument? Rhetorical Figures in Sound: Antithesis. Henry displays an idea that the American people should fight back against the British. 4) means we have no choice on who rules us. 0000000016 00000 n Henry returns to the metaphor of slavery to strengthen his argument regarding not taking action. (an-TIH-theh-sis): Figure of balance in which two contrasting ideas are intentionally juxtaposed, usually through parallel structure; a contrasting of opposing ideas in adjacent phrases, clauses, or sentences. (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. Poetry is one of the most sublime art forms imaginable. While the speech can be used to investigate issues of freedom, power, and rights of the governed, this lesson focuses upon effective rhetoric. Speech Analysis: Speech in the Virginia Convention An example of slave imagery in paragraph 3 is "they are sent over to bind and rivet upon us those chains, which the British ministry have been so long forging". The above quote is from Alexander Pope. The artist is letting us know that even during the coldest of times, his girl keeps him warm. (66) Gentlemen may cry, Peace, Peace but there is no peace. In order for others to accept a different idea, they must first believe they are being respected. Summarizing why a speaker (or writer) might choose to use antithesis, LitCharts writes it can: Well add that antithesis makes a point memorableand quotableas weve seen recently with the line "When they go low, we go high" and in the not-so-distant past with Neil Armstrongs "one small step for a man, one giant leap for mankind.". The story of the sirens, is that on an island, women would sing songs that would cause men to see them as beautiful women and go to them. 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. As a rhetorical device, antithesis is defined very specifically as the use of: 1) two opposing ideas 2) presented in parallel structure 3) in the same sentence The effect is to heighten the contrastand in many cases, vividly drive the speaker's point home. Thus, there are only two options left: success or failure in war against Britain. 0 37. To see how big of a difference parallelism plays, lets take a look at an example that doesnt use parallel structures. I am the proud owner of linguaholic.com. Such an argument is called an "ethical appeal." This stark choice is designed to make Henry's audience realize just what is at stake. In sentence 11 he says Are we disposed of the number of those who, having eyes, see not, and, having ears, hear not. This is from Ezekiel 12:2, when god describes how those who hear Ezekiels words and do not listen will be destroyed. When Henry states "there is no time for ceremony" he means there isn't time for idle talk and people should start to take action. What are some examples of ethos, logos, and pathos in Patrick Henry's "Speech to the Virginia Convention"? As a rhetorical device, antithesis is defined very specifically as the use of: The effect is to heighten the contrastand in many cases,vividly drive the speakers point home. 21. The rhetorical parenthesis is peace and reconciliation. A sentenia is an allusion to a proverb or saying to add credibility to an argument. Find at least one example of hypophora in this paragraph and explain its contribution to Henry's argument. What purpose does Henry establish, and to what is he appealing in order to emphasize this purpose? (59) If we were base enough to desire it, it is now too late to retire from the contest. Examples Of Patrick Henry's Speech In The Virginia | Bartleby (65) It is in vain, sir, to extenuate the matter. 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. In a second example, King uses antithesis in the following: I have a dream that one day even the state of Mississippi, a desert state sweltering with the heat of injustice, sweltering with the. Even though I am taking just a small step here on the moon, the mere fact that I am on the moon is an indication of how far we have come as a species. Why? Patrick Henry's Speech Against The Tumultuous States Of The Colonies Educators go through a rigorous application process, and every answer they submit is reviewed by our in-house editorial team. What is his purpose in asking these questions? You may choose words, phrases, imagery, or other language elements. 26. Latest answer posted May 29, 2017 at 3:40:17 AM. What is the if then statement in this paragraph? Rhetorical Analysis of Patrick Henry's Speech to the Virginia Copyright 20102022 National Humanities Center. This also shows his opinion on how hoping is an illusion that does not benefit, and that action is necessary or else the British will attack and bound them. Henry emphasizes the seriousness of the military response that Great Britain has already displayed. As a practiced lawyer and orator, Henry understood the power of rhetoric to appeal to others and employed all three rhetorical appeals in . (29) They are sent over to bind and rivet upon us those chains which the British ministry has been so long forging. 29. The Temptations have a song called My Girl. Theres a line in it that goes like this. The first paragraph of classical argument, the exordium, seeks to engage the audience and prepare them to hear the speakers message. Alexander Drive, P.O. (51) Shall we gather strength by irresolution and inaction? But, another reason is that poetry has a bevy of tools in its arsenal. Moreover, this contrast is usually aided by parallelism, or parallel structures, which draws the attention of the listener and engages them. In sentence 58, what does Henry mean by "we have no election"? For more information on text complexity see these resources from achievethecore.org. Rhetorical Devices in Speech to the Second Virginia Convention What argument does he anticipate and what two rhetorical strategies does he use to refute it? Thats one small step for man, one giant leap for mankind. 0000008610 00000 n He sees no middle ground between a war for freedom from Great Britain or being ground down under the heel of tyranny. Rhetorical parenthesis is the insertion into a sentence of an explanatory word or phrase. Find an example of asyndeton in this paragraph. Complete the sentence in a way that shows you understand the meaning of the italicized vocabulary word. He was married twice, the first was in 1754 to Sarah Shelton, who later passed away in 1775 to what was believed to be postpartum psychosis. (61) Our chains are forged! This just highlights the contrasting nature of the ideas contained in these sentences. Examples Of Figurative Language In Henry Viii - 586 Words | Bartleby Antithesis is a tool that pits two opposing ideas against each other, and the result is a contrasting effect that highlights an overarching meaning. "There is no longer any room for hope. Henry states that he is willing to suffer a traitor's death rather than be denied liberty. Why does Henry use this term? How might the format of the Henry speech apply to current events, especially in countries and regions of political unrest? Frederick Douglass, using antithesis in his powerful anti-slavery speech, "The Meaning of the Fourth of July to the Negro". Accessed 4 Mar. Below, watch and listen as Armstrong says it himself, setting foot on the moon for the first time. In sentence 29 Henry states, They [the armies and fleets] are sent over to bind and rivet upon us those chains which the British ministry have been so long forging. He wishes to continue the image of slavery to explain that the Colonies have used argument to combat the attempts of the British to enslave them, but these efforts have failed. In sentence 58, what does Henry mean by we have no election? On the other hand, they are alive in every sense of the word. 0000001077 00000 n 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. He is moving his audience away from the position of illusive hope that they may have held at the beginning of his speech toward another position. He states in sentence 68, the next gale will bring to our ears the clash of resounding arms., 38. The phrase "awful moment" means a moment of great importance in the context. This sets up the second major element of antithesis: Henry's famous proclamation, "give me liberty or give me death.". Why does he make this connection? (71) What is it that gentlemen wish? 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. 40. Frederick Douglass, photographed around the time he gave his speech on July 5, 1852. Antithesis - Definition and Examples | LitCharts Consider sentence 40, especially the verbs. One illusion would be the idea that the Colonies and Great Britain could negotiate an acceptable peace without war. Find an example of Henry's return to an image of slavery at the end of this paragraph. What was the purpose of the "Speech to the Virginia Convention"? In his question, he depicts the people's lack of action towards war as "lying supinely on our backs and hugging the delusive phantom of hope, until our enemies shall have bound us hand and foot". What is his purpose in first asking if they are disposed to see not, and hear not and then stating, I am willing to know the whole truth: to know the worst, and to provide for it? It doesnt stand out and demand to be memorable. Here are two: "To him, your celebration is a sham; your boasted liberty, an unholy license; your national greatness, swelling vanity.". To restate: Gentlemen may cry, Peace, Peace but there is no peace. (sentence 66), To amplify: the war is actually begun (sentence 67), To rouse: Why stand we here idle? (sentence 70), To inspire: Give me liberty or give me death (sentence 75). According to Henry, which will his argument contain and which will it NOT contain? A hypophora is useful to present to an audience issues they may not have considered in depth. Rhetorical parenthesis is the insertion into a sentence of an explanatory word or phrase. "Give me liberty or give me death," is a quote from Patrick Henry's famous speech delivered March 23, 1775 to the members of the Virginia Congress. The speech includes several Biblical allusions revolutionary rhetoricians often used Biblical references because it allowed them to speak more strongly against Britain without using overtly treasonous speech. To be or not to be, that is the question. Share your results with your class. He makes it sound like the colonists really only have a choice between liberty and death, so which will they choose?