Ethos/Pathos/Logos in Patrick Henry's Speech to the Virginia Convention

Pathos Definition

Appeal to emotion

"I have but one lamp by which my feet are guided, and that is the lamp of experience. I know of no way of judging of the future but by the past. I wish to know what there has been in the conduct of the British ministry for the last ten years to justify those hopes with which gentlemen have been pleased to solace themselves and the house?"

Ethos because he is appealing to his own experience with the British

"Should I keep back my opinions at such a time, through fear of giving offense, I should consider myself as guilty of treason toward my country, and of an act of disloyalty toward the Majesty of Heaven, which I revere above all earthly kings."

Ethos because he is describing his credibility by showing his willingness to commit treason for a noble cause

"And what have we to oppose them? Shall we try argument? Sir, we have been trying that for the last ten years. Have anything new to offer upon the subject? Nothing. We have held the subject up in every light of which it is capable; but it has been all in vain."

Logos because he is showing the facts related to the last ten years of British rule.

"I ask gentlemen, sir, what means this martial array, if its purpose be not to force us to submission? Can gentlemen assign any other possible motive for it? Has Great Britain any enemy in this quarter of the world, to call for all this accumulation of natives and armies? No, sir, she has none. They are meant for us: they can be meant for no other."

Logos because he is showing the reasons Britain would have their military in the new world

"Besides, sir, we shall not fight our battles alone. There is a just God who presides over the destinies of nations and who will raise up friends to fight our battles for us. The battle, sir, is not to the strong alone; it is to the vigilant, the active, the brave."

Pathos because he is appealing to the emotional relationship they would have to God. HE is also appealing to their feelings of bravery.

"They tell us, sir, that we are weak - unable to cope with so formidable an adversary. But when shall we be stronger? Will it be the next week, or the next year? Will it be when we are totally disarmed, and when a British guard shall be stationed in every house?"

Pathos because it is appealing to the audience's emotion of anger.

Logos definition

appeal based on logic or reason

Ethos definition

the ethical appeal is based on the character, credibility, or reliability of the writer.