1
Patrick Henry

• I know not what course others may take but as
  for me, give me liberty or give me death!

2
A Powerful Orator and Politician

• Delivered two of the best-known speeches of the
  Revolution, but no one printed them or fully
  wrote them down
• Opposed Stamp Act in front of Virginia
  legislators in 1765
• He alluded to Julius Caesar and King Charles I,
  who were assassinated (a warning to England!)
• Governor proclaimed him an outlaw
• Served five one-year terms as governor of
  Virginia
• Led the movement to add a Bill of Rights to the
  Constitution
• Led the fight against the Constitution, claiming
  it gave the federal government too much power

3
And what have we to oppose them?...An appeal to
arms and to the God of Hosts is all that is left
of us!

• What is the effect of the five rhetorical
  questions in this paragraph?
• Remember that rhetorical questions are questions
  to which an answer is evident.
• Because the answer is evident, these questions
  are often used to make listeners feel as if the
  speakers opinions are an inevitable conclusion
  and to stir their emotions.
• These questions counter any possible argument
  from those who still hesitate about going to war.
  They also help to stir up the indignation and
  frustration of the listeners.

4
Questions for Discussion

• What measures does Henry say the colonists have
  already tried in their dealings with England?
• Henry says they have petitioned,
  remonstrated, supplicated, prostrated, and
  implored the throne.
• What examples does he provide to support his
  position that compromise with the British is not
  a workable solution?
• Petitions have been slighted remonstrances
  have resulted in increased violence and insult.

5
More Questions

• What course of action does Henry want the
  colonists to take?
• He wants the colonists to prepare for war.
• What is Henrys answer to the objection that the
  colonists were not ready to fight against the
  British?
• He contends that the colonies are not weak and
  that they will not fight alone they will be
  aided by a just God.

6
Now find

• Logical appeals
• Emotional appeals
• Ethical appeals

7
And finally, persuasive devices

• Allusion
• Rhetorical questions
• Parallelism
• Repetition
• Any others?