Patrick Henry's Speech During The Revolutionary War

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Upping Into A New World “Suffer not yourselves to be betrayed with a kiss.” (Henry 102). Patrick Henry who stated these words from his most famous speech, A Speech to the Virginia Convention during 1775, amounted great effects in the outcome of the Revolutionary War. During the war colonists were adrift and needed guidance on how to cope with the intrusion of the British. Henry felt the need to speak out on the issue, because if he didn't he would forever consider himself guilty of treason. By connecting with their emotions and bringing out the anger of the colonists, Henry sought an approach to utilize the people's emotion to urge them to rebel against the British forces. The most effective technique used in the speech to persuade …show more content…

“Mr.President, it is natural to man to indulge in the illusions of hope. 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. Is this the part of wise men, engaged in a great and arduous struggle for liberty?” (Henry 102). The members of the convention want to be independent from the British but aren't taking any action to fulfill it. Patrick is demanding that if they are the strong men they claim to be, they must accept what they have been so long avoiding, a war to lead to independence. “Is life so dear, or peace so sweet, as to be purchased at the price of chains and slavery? Forbid it, Almighty God!”( Henry 104). Patrick Henry introduces that even though men want peace with their enemy there is none left anymore. Through the usage of pathos, the emotional aspect he is demanding to get across is that the British are going to keep intruding into their own country and taking control over them and they must stand up for themselves. By triggering the members emotions, and bringing out the rage inside of them he then compares the wonderfulness of life and how it can be destroyed but that they shouldn't let them take away their freedom. He hopes that God as well creates a path for them and not allow them to be overthrown by the British. Including God

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