Patrick Henry's Speech: Give Me Liberty, Or Give Me Death
Rajon Stinnett-Perry
06 March 2014
HIUS 221-B06
Patrick Henry 's Speech: “Give Me Liberty or Give Me Death” Many know the famous words of Patrick Henry, and when you ask them why he said those words the relation them to the America Revolution. There is in fact a greater meaning for his speech, he touched on many points that were effecting America in his time. I want to explain some of the problems that America was facing to lead you into why he gave this speech in the first place. In the years of settlers come to the “New World” the were still under the British control and still had to follow the British law. The settlers began to feel that they were not well represented if no members in Parliament were not from the colonies. This …show more content…
He took his proposal to Convention president, Peyton Randolph of Williamsburg. Even though no one wrote his words down, nobody could forget his closing words, “Give me liberty, or give me death!” He is respectfully introducing his views on what action to take in regards to the conflict with Britain. The other members want to peacefully approach the situation, but Patrick Henry wants to prepare for war if Britain does not meet the colonists ' demands. Henry builds his ethos by expressing a religious passion. He positions himself as a Christian fighting for God. The Biblical allusion to the motif of light is the equivalent of fighting for God 's truth. "I consider it nothing less than a question of freedom or slavery”. He refers to the colonists ' need to fight makes "So because you are lukewarm-neither hot nor cold-I 'm about to spit you out of my mouth" (Revelations 3:16). There will be either slavery or freedom, there is no middle ground. Attempting to linger between the two sides would displease God. This plays on pathos because the idea of slavery creates fear and sadness within the colonists ' minds, whereas freedom creates happiness in their minds. It also appeals to the human fear of displeasing God. The diction that he uses shows the authority of God over a king talking about the current king of
06 March 2014
HIUS 221-B06
Patrick Henry 's Speech: “Give Me Liberty or Give Me Death” Many know the famous words of Patrick Henry, and when you ask them why he said those words the relation them to the America Revolution. There is in fact a greater meaning for his speech, he touched on many points that were effecting America in his time. I want to explain some of the problems that America was facing to lead you into why he gave this speech in the first place. In the years of settlers come to the “New World” the were still under the British control and still had to follow the British law. The settlers began to feel that they were not well represented if no members in Parliament were not from the colonies. This …show more content…
He took his proposal to Convention president, Peyton Randolph of Williamsburg. Even though no one wrote his words down, nobody could forget his closing words, “Give me liberty, or give me death!” He is respectfully introducing his views on what action to take in regards to the conflict with Britain. The other members want to peacefully approach the situation, but Patrick Henry wants to prepare for war if Britain does not meet the colonists ' demands. Henry builds his ethos by expressing a religious passion. He positions himself as a Christian fighting for God. The Biblical allusion to the motif of light is the equivalent of fighting for God 's truth. "I consider it nothing less than a question of freedom or slavery”. He refers to the colonists ' need to fight makes "So because you are lukewarm-neither hot nor cold-I 'm about to spit you out of my mouth" (Revelations 3:16). There will be either slavery or freedom, there is no middle ground. Attempting to linger between the two sides would displease God. This plays on pathos because the idea of slavery creates fear and sadness within the colonists ' minds, whereas freedom creates happiness in their minds. It also appeals to the human fear of displeasing God. The diction that he uses shows the authority of God over a king talking about the current king of