On the one hand, these are supposedly decaying corpses that belong six feet under. Patrick Henry was born May 29, 1736, he lived his life defending people who couldn't defend themselves and became a attorney. Henry delivered his argument on March 23, 1775 to the Virginia House of Burgesses after several other speakers who preceded him spoke of the need for continued diplomatic negotiations between the colonies and Great Britain. (62) Their clanking may be heard on the plains of Boston! He uses rhetorical strategies and appeals to further develop his argument, making sure that each item is contextualized from the Colonial perspective. Give an example in this paragraph of an attempt to engage the audience and an example of an attempt to prepare the audience. 5. An example is in sentence 57, the vigilant, the active, the brave. Henry uses this to emphasize the positive qualities of those who will take up the battle. He is alluding to the sirens found in the epic The Odyssey. This stark choice is designed to make Henry's audience realize just what is at stake. Henry is implying that not seeing or listening to his argument will lead to destruction. (32) Sir, we have been trying that for the last ten years. An example Henry uses relating King George's bane characteristics was to Judas in the Bible. You may choose words, phrases, imagery, or other language elements. Determine Patrick Henry's tone in this speech. His purpose of including it is that people will understand what the phrase is. Shall we try argument? Sir, we have been trying that for the last ten years. (sentences 30, 31, and 32). What is the purpose of returning to this metaphor yet again? 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). (69) Our brethren are already in the field! 4). Anaphora the repetition of a word or phrase at the beginning of successive clauses Allusion A reference to another work of literature, person, or event allusion example (58) Besides, sir, we have no election. Henry uses multiple biblical allusions with which his educated audience would be familiar. The provenance of the speech notwithstanding, Henrys words provide a rich source to study rhetorical strategies and classical argument, and that study is the focus of this lesson. No pain, no gain. Click here for standards and skills for this lesson. Henry continues to use "gentlemen" in this paragraph. The purpose expresses that the battle is not only for the strong people who just want to fight, but that it is for the vigilant, active and brave people who want to fight the battle for a reason. He inserts appeals to ethos, logos, and pathos. Patrick Henry begins the speech with pathos, saying that he regards the matter before the convention as "nothing less than a question of freedom or slavery." The emotive language continues as . A definition speech explains a concept, theory, or philosophy about which the audience knows little. Another comparison that is seen in the speech is correlating to King George as a siren. However, the parallelism in this latter example is not as clear-cut as the earlier phrase. How does Henry use both parallelism and verb choice (diction) to explain that the Colonies have tried many steps to maintain peace? Given the framing of such a stark choice, it's inevitable that on Henry's terms, all freedom-loving Americans would rather be dead than live without liberty. 12. To really get a feel for antithesis and to see how common it is in everyday life, here are a few common sayings and expressions that rely on this literary device. If there had been social media in 1775 would this speech have been interpreted differently? George Matthews, Patrick Henry, half-length portrait. Library of Congress Prints and Photographs Division Washington, D.C. Patrick Henry on the George Washington equestrian statue at Capitol Square, Richmond, Virginia.. The purpose of the speech is to inform the audience so they understand the main aspects of the subject matter. (12) For my part, whatever anguish of spirit it may cost, I am willing to know the whole truth; to know the worst, and to provide for it. (8) Mr. President, it is natural to man to indulge in the illusions of hope. Put differently, every time you use antithesis, you are juxtaposing two opposing ideas, but every juxtaposition does not have to be an antithesis. Henry believes that the situation is critical enough that any choices in between freedom and slavery are meaningless and the actions taken must be extreme. The Peroratio, or conclusion, has several purposes, including: to restate an argument, to amplify reasoning, to inspire an audience, and to rouse emotional responses. The sentenia in the Peroratio uses the religion of the majority of the audience to encourage them to fight for peace and freedom. The speech was so inspiring that it ignited a massive flame of patriotism. What does "solace" mean? What is the if then statement in this paragraph? Frederick Douglasss powerful speech, "The Meaning of July Fourth for the Negro," is built on juxtaposition. "In vain, after these things, may we indulge the fond hope of peace and reconciliation? Its me, Marcel. In sentence 1 Henry acknowledges the patriotism of the members of the House who have just spoken. Logos In Patrick Henry's Speech. It attempts to win over listeners on the basis of the trustworthiness of the speaker. How does this allusion contribute to Henrys argument? On the other hand, they are alive in every sense of the word. Do you know Patrick Henry's famous line that owes its zip to antithesis? Log in here. On March 23, 1775, he asked the Virginia Convention to take a defensive stance immediately against Great Britain by raising an armed company in every Virginia county an action considered by many to be open treason. Henry states that he is willing to suffer a traitors death rather than be denied liberty. (35) We have held the subject up in every light of which it is capable; but it has been all in vain. Copyright 20102022 National Humanities Center. What purpose does Henry establish, and to what is he appealing in order to emphasize this purpose? This is the famous line from Shakespeares Hamlet. This was an either/or choice with nothing in between, and a traitors death was quite likely if the patriot efforts failed. (41) 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. (31) Shall we try argument? Consider sentence 40, especially the verbs. Box 12256 | Research Triangle Park, North Carolina 27709, Phone: (919) 549-0661 | Fax: (919) 990-8535 | nationalhumanitiescenter.org. in. He answers it through tonal shifts and appeals. Henry's purpose in using this image in paragraph 3 is to explain that the Colonies failed when they attempted to fight (fight meaning argue) the British that are trying to enslave them. In this lesson students will deconstruct Patrick Henrys famous speech to explore the tools of effective persuasion, including appeals, rhetorical strategies, and classical argument. 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. The speech was so inspiring that it ignited a massive flame of patriotism. Henry's use of "Peace, Peace--but there is no peace" is a biblical allusion meant to force the audience to agree that the English are beginning a war where there will never be peace" (66). When you juxtapose two things, you place them next to each other to highlight either their similarities or their differences. He believes the British represent Judas and that while they will appear brotherly to the Colonies they will betray, leading to Colonial downfall. 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. Who does Henry believe represents Judas and how does this allusion as a metaphor contribute to Henry's argument? For each of your examples explain how they are intended to arouse Henrys audience. relates to this idea, and appeals to the dignity of the men in the assembly. (37) What terms shall we find which have not been already exhausted? 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". Here are some examples of antithesis used in everyday speech: Go big or go home. "There is a just God who presides over the destinies of the nations, and who will raise up friends to fight our battles for us". But Henry felt that delay would be a major mistake. He reminds his audience that he, like them, is a believer and is trustworthy. This just highlights the contrasting nature of the ideas contained in these sentences. There is no longer any room for hope." (61) Our chains are forged! 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. And what have we to oppose to them? He recognizes and compliments the patriotism and abilities of the other members of the Convention in his first sentence (note that Henry continues to address the body as the House). Henry's feet are guided by one lamp and that is the lamp of experience. Henry seeks to engage his audience by showing his respect for them. 29. (49) Will it be the next week, or the next year? 6. 0000000016 00000 n Patrick Henry's speech is based on an either/or premise, which can be summed up in antithetical terms as fight or die. What is the effect of this contrast? (68) The next gale that sweeps from the north will bring to our ears the clash of resounding arms! Major premise [A]: We must either talk or fight to achieve results. Latest answer posted October 12, 2020 at 3:06:46 PM. In a metonomy, something strongly associated with an element is substituted for it (for instance, The White House is substituted for the President). 19. Henry says, ''Are we disposed to be of the number of those who having eyes see not, and having ears hear not, the things whichso nearly concern their temporal salvation?'' Antithesis is defined as a particular kind of literary device that organizes sentence structure in such a way that the sentence presents two opposing ideas in a grammatically parallel way. (29) They are sent over to bind and rivet upon us those chains which the British ministry has been so long forging. What does solace mean? (3) This is no time for ceremony. Hence, whereas antithesis is always about contrast and difference, juxtaposition can be about difference, but it can also be about similarities. How, in this sentence, does Henry suggest that his listeners can trust him? Types of informative speeches. 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. Henry is using the allusion from The Odyssey, a poem written by Homer. 15. In sentences 70 through 73, Henry uses a series of questions which directly challenge his fellow delegates. What is an example of restatement in Patrick Henry's Speech to the Virginia Convention? Henry again makes a Biblical allusion in sentence 18, "Suffer not yourselves to be betrayed with a kiss." Latest answer posted October 05, 2018 at 2:33:54 PM. Saint Johns Church, Richmond, Virginia, where Patrick Henry delivered his famous speech. Library of Congress Prints and Photographs Division Washington, D.C. Peter F. Rothermel, Patrick Henrys Treason speech before the House of Burgesses, 1851. This is a rhetorical shift in perspective that helps to prepare his audience. 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.. Minor premise [B]: Talking does not achieve results. What would they have?". When a poet sings their verses, there is always a strange sense that they are talking to you, the listener. He is recognizing the treasonable nature of this discussion, displaying not only his own courage but asking his fellow delegates to show courage as well. 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. 0000002858 00000 n 21. Henry lists several negotiation attempts by colonists and British responses. 0000003309 00000 n Henry states that he is willing to suffer a traitor's death rather than be denied liberty. 2. (66) Gentlemen may cry, Peace, Peace but there is no peace. How does Henry shift from a ironic tone back to his urgent argument? Then, in sentence seven, he introduces his own ethics and how he must be loyal to his country and to God. For instance, you can say that the antithesis of love isnt hate; its indifference.. (43) There is no longer any room for hope. Henry begins this paragraph with another Biblical allusion, one lamp by which my feet are guided (Psalms 119:105). 0000008610 00000 n In the second paragraph Henry spoke of the "illusions of hope." The Language of Composition: Reading, Writing, Rhetoric, Lawrence Scanlon, Renee H. Shea, Robin Dissin Aufses, Literature and Composition: Reading, Writing,Thinking, Carol Jago, Lawrence Scanlon, Renee H. Shea, Robin Dissin Aufses, Iggy: Chapter 8 - Care for Patients @ End of.