Rhetorical Analysis Of Speech In The Virginia Convention

Often the first battles for change are with ink and spoken word. Rhetoric in language is key to making the word impact others in such a way it creates a movement. These movements serve the desires of those who initially write them out. Patrick Henry’s “Speech in the Virginia Convention” is meant to convince the colonists that war is the only way to for them to be free from Britain and to rally the colonists together as one nation against the British in the coming conflict.
The primary purpose of Patrick Henry’s address is to bring to light the need to go to war with Britain in order to attain their rights. He does this by first acknowledging that the colonist’s allegiance to Britain is a problem. He tells the assembly they “listen to the song of a

Henry illustrates how Britain is retaining the loyalty of the colonies despite that Britain will ultimately be their downfall. This allusion makes an appeal to the logic of the audience against Britain and their attempt to “[fool] with a kiss.” This allusion is to the betrayal of Jesus by Judas, a disciple of Jesus who identifies him to the Romans by kissing him. The kiss represents an act that may initially seem beneficial, but is secretly harmful to the recipient. These two allusions play into the doubt and uncertainty the colonists have about the true intentions of Britain. Henry confirms these doubts for the audience when he asks “what means this martial array, if its purpose be not to force us to submission?” This rhetorical question plays back on the audience's growing doubts, causing them to draw the conclusion that if Britain is really their ally, there would be no need for the number of ships and soldiers they are sending to the