Patrick Henry Questions

1.     Patrick Henry urges the colonists to fight the British.

2.     The colonists had sent petitions to the British government but they were ignored.

3.     The British responded to the complaints by ignoring them.

4.     Beliefs shared by the speaker and audience advance Henry’s purpose and affect the tone in this speech because they all wanted the best for their “state” and they all knew that they would be affected by the decision made. For example, Henry says “…and in such a country as that we possess, are invincible by any force which our enemy can send against us.” In this quote, he is rallying support against the British.

5.      Henry alludes to the Bible in lines 18-19 and in lines 74-75. In lines 18-19 Henry says, ”Are we disposed to be of the number of those who, having eyes, see not, and having ears, hear not?” The rhetorical appeal of this allusion is whether or not the men understand that the British are in their country. He also makes an allusion in line 74-75 about the Bible. In this allusion the rhetorical appeal is that anyone can fight in the war with God on their side.

6.     Reasons to Fight

·      If they do not want to be free then they must fight---Ethos

·      British are in the towns and colonies---Ethos

·      The British ignored their appeals---Ethos

·      Anyone could fight in the war---Ethos

·      There is no more hope to have peace with Britain---Pathos

·      God will send help if they fight---Pathos
Give me liberty or give me death---Pathos