Joshua Neuman

September 5 2017

Period 2

Mrs. Sharp

Speech to the Virginia Convention Retorical Analysis

In Patrick Henry’s “Speech to Virginia Convention”, he uses Ethos pathos and logos in

an attempt to persuade his audience into siding with him. He also uses tone to address the

audience very aggressively, and informatively. The purpose of his speech is to encourage the

American resistance to fight back against the tyrannical king George and british empire as a

whole. Henry excellently portrays these with good rhetorical devices, diction, and tone.

Ethos is mainly used in the essay to show respect and credibility for the speaker.

Patrick Henry starts his speech very professionally and formally by addressing, “Mr President,

No man thinks more highly than i do of the patriotism, as well as the abilities of the very worthy

gentlemen who have just addressed the house” (Henry 1). In this single sentence Henry

establishes himself as a patriot, and an activist for freedom, as well as praising George

Washington and his respect for him. The repetition of “God” and words such as, “Holy” appeal

to the audience in a symbolic and religious sense. Henry even states that they are fighting a holy

war against the British, trying to establish himself as a credible religious man. Through his use of

tone and ethos Henry shows respect and credibility to the speaker, while explaining himself to be

a patriot as well.
 About Mid-way through the speech an obvious example of logos is shown. Henry

simplifies the problem, “for my own part, I consider it as nothing less than a question of freedom

or slavery”(Henry 2). He makes the extremely complex task and problem at hand and simplifies

it into 2 sides, persuading his audience into choosing one or the other. This comparing and

contrasting of two sides is more of a logical and moral decision than a war, and this is why it was

included, to make the audience choose while thinking logically. Later in the passage, Henry

ponders, “when shall we be stronger? Will it be next week, or the next year?”(Henry 4). Henry

attempts to make his audience feel as if action is necessary, and repeating the past will not make

them stronger but weaker. He believes that waiting for something to happen is pointless, and that

action is the only option left for them to turn to.

Lastly, Pathos is shown throughout the speech, and to very good effect. Henry uses

emotion in an attempt to persuade his audience into joining his cause, he believes that most of

the current attempts to free themselves, “ are in vain, sir to extenuate the matter. Gentlemen may

cry, Peace, Peace but there is no Peace” (Henry 5). Henry excellently shows the truth of the

current situation that the country is in by appealing to the young men who are tired of risking

their lives everyday for peace. Also, appealing to the families who wish for peace for their

children, but must live in slavery. The final statement of the speech, is Henry’s most impactful

quote, he shows that he is so passionate about the resistance that he would rather die than not live

in a country of freedom. Henry concludes his speech with the words, “Give me liberty or give

me death!” (Henry 5).

 Through his use of rhetorical devices, such as ethos, logos, and pathos Henry effectively

delivers a speech that sparked the rebellion in colonial America. His use of Logic showed the

colonists that they were running out of options and that a war was inevitable. The use of ethical

appeal and credibility, showed that he respected both his audience, and George Washington. The

most important rhetorical device used, emotion showed Henry’s complete loyalty to his country

and the love that he had for it, even going as far as dying for his country. It is still easy to see

why Henry’s speech is still regarded as one of the leading factors to America's freedom.