Patrick Henry's Speech Questions

Hypophora is a special type of rhetorical question whereby a question is asked and then answered by the speaker (as opposed to a typical rhetorical question, which is either not answered or has a yes/no answer). A hypophora is useful to present to an audience issues they may not have considered in depth. Find at least one example of hypophora in this paragraph and explain its contribution to Henry's argument.

"In vain, after these things, may we indulge the fond hope of peace and reconciliation? There is no longer any room for hope." (Sentence 42-43). This hypophora explains how the people cannot dream or enjoy hope, without ever experiencing it or having to fight for it. This statement will try to convince the reader to fight for hope instead of dream of it.

Asyndeton is a series of phrases or words with conjunctions deleted. Find an example of asyndeton in this paragraph. What is its purpose?

"The battle, sir, is not to the strong alone; it is to the vigilant, the active, the brave"(Par. 4). The purpose expresses that the battle is not only for the strong people who just want to fight, but that it is for the vigilant, active and brave people who want to fight the battle for a reason. It illustrates the positive qualities of the people fighting in the battle.

In sentence 58, what does Henry mean by "we have no election"?

"We have no election" (Par. 4) means we have no choice on who rules us. We can be forced to fight.

Henry uses parallelism (structuring phrases in similar fashion) several times in this paragraph. Consider sentence 40, especially the verbs. How does Henry use both parallelism and verb choice (diction) to explain that the Colonies have tried many steps to maintain peace?

"We have petitioned; we have remonstrated; we have supplicated; we have prostrated; [we] have implored..." He uses the parallel structure to indicate the process by which the Colonies have taken multiple steps to resolve differences. He chooses verbs that are increasingly dramatic to remind his audience that the Colonies have tried everything without result. Consider "petition" (to bring written grievances) versus "remonstrate" (to forcefully protest) versus "supplicate" (to beg earnestly or humbly) versus "prostrate" (to totally submit) versus "implore" (to beg desperately).

The Peroratio, or conclusion, has several purposes, including: to restate an argument, to amplify reasoning, to inspire an audience, and to rouse emotional responses. Cite an example from the text of each of these four purposes.

-To restate: "Gentlemen may cry, Peace, Peace but there is no peace." (sentence 66) -To amplify: "the war is actually begun" (sentence 67) -To rouse: "Why stand we here idle?" (sentence 70) -To inspire: "Give me liberty or give me death" (sentence 75)

Sententia, especially useful in speeches, is an argumentative device that uses sound to sum up an argument. What is the sententia in this speech?

A sentenia is an allusion to a proverb or saying to add credibility to an argument. Henry's use of "Peace, Peace--but there is no peace" is a biblical allusion meant to force the audience to agree that the English are beginning a war where there will never be peace" (66). The sentenia in the Peroratio uses the religion of the majority of the audience to encourage them to fight for peace and freedom.

Henry first mentions slavery in paragraph one when he contrasts it with freedom. Find an example of slave imagery in this paragraph. What is Henry's purpose in using this image in paragraph 3?

An example of slave imagery in paragraph 3 is "they are sent over to bind and rivet upon us those chains, which the British ministry have been so long forging". Henry's purpose in using this image in paragraph 3 is to explain that the Colonies failed when they attempted to fight (fight meaning argue) the British that are trying to enslave them.

In sentence 7 Henry argues on the basis of "ethos," which is Greek for "character." Such an argument is called an "ethical appeal." It attempts to win over listeners on the basis of the trustworthiness of the speaker. How, in this sentence, does Henry suggest that his listeners can trust him?

By appealing to religion as he calls upon the "majesty of heaven," Henry makes an ethical (ethos) appeal that his audience will understand intellectually and emotionally. The Convention members consider themselves to be men of integrity and ethics, as Henry acknowledged in sentence 1. In sentence 7 Henry is asking them to understand that he likewise is compelled to speak based on his own sense of integrity (if he holds back, he would consider himself "guilty of treason"). He reminds his audience that he, like them, is a believer and is trustworthy.

Juxtaposition means to put two elements side by side, often for comparison. Henry does this in sentences 11 and 12. What is his purpose in first asking if they are "disposed to... see not, and... hear not" and then stating, "...I am willing to know the whole truth: to know the worst, and to provide for it"?

He again sets up a choice for his audience. Would they rather ignore the situation and have dangerous outcomes (this choice is defined by the previous allusions to the sirens and Ezekiel) or instead know the truth and prepare? He clearly indicates that he chooses the second option.

How does Henry shift from a ironic tone back to his urgent argument? Cite evidence from the text.

He inserts appeals to ethos, logos, and pathos. He appeals to ethos in sentence 53 by saying "we are not weak if we make a proper use of those means which the God of nature hath placed in our power." In sentence 54 he appeals to Logos and pathos by citing "three millions of people (logos) armed in the holy cause of liberty (pathos), and in such a country as that which we possess (pathos, patriotism)."

What image does Henry use to convey that the battle has already begun?

He states in sentence 68, "the next gale... will bring to our ears the clash of resounding arms."

Why does Henry begin the second sentence with "but"?

Henry begins the second sentence with "but" to show he is continuing his previous thought. He is presenting his opinion but at the same time respecting the speakers before him. Henry uses this transition to shift the perspective from what has been heard to the ideas that he feels need to be discussed.

In sentence 5, when Henry states, "I consider it as nothing less than a question of freedom or slavery," he commits a logical fallacy. The false dichotomy (either-or) fallacy gives only two options with no choices in between, and Henry uses this intentionally. Why?

Henry believes that the situation is critical enough that any choices in between freedom and slavery are meaningless and the actions taken must be extreme. He is suggesting that radical change, either positive or negative, needs to happen and will happen in order for the colonies to become free.

In sentence 75, probably the most famous sentence from this speech, Henry uses antithesis to set up a clear contrast. What does he contrast? What is the effect of this contrast?

Henry contrasts liberty and death, expressing that there is no life without liberty. To Henry, a life of slavery is not a life at all and hence not worth living "Is life so dear, or peace so dear as to be purchased at the price of chains and slavery? Forbid it"(73-74). The effect of this contrast is to cause the House to think about his final words and be inspired to come to action.

Henry uses multiple biblical allusions with which his educated audience would be familiar. In sentence 11 he says "Are we disposed of the number of those who, having eyes, see not, and, having ears, hear not." This is from Ezekiel 12:2, when God describes how those who hear Ezekiel's words and do not listen will be destroyed. How does this allusion contribute to Henry's argument?

Henry is implying that not seeing or listening to his argument will lead to destruction.

Allusions, unexplained references to other sources, are commonly based upon the Bible or mythology. What allusion does Henry use in sentence 9 when he says "listen to the song of that siren till she transforms us into beasts?" How does this allusion contribute to his argument?

Henry is using the allusion from The Odyssey, a poem written by Homer. The story of the sirens, is that on an island, women would sing songs that would cause men to see them as beautiful women and go to them. In reality the sirens were ugly beasts, that killed the men as soon as they approached and ate them. This allusion contributes to Henry's argument by drawing parallels between hope and the sirens, implying that hope is tempting to fall into, but is detrimental in the long run.

The first paragraph of classical argument, the exordium, seeks to engage the audience and prepare them to hear the speaker's message. Give an example in this paragraph of an attempt to engage the audience and an example of an attempt to prepare the audience.

Henry seeks to engage his audience by showing his respect for them. He recognizes and compliments the patriotism and abilities of the other members of the Convention in his first sentence (note that Henry continues to address the body as the House). He prepares his audience by expresses the hope that they will show him the same respect when he states in sentence 2, "I hope it will not be thought disrespectful..." Even though he will be speaking contrary to what has been previously presented, he reminds his audience that they are all colleagues by referring to the entire group, as in sentence 6, "we can hope to arrive at the truth."

Henry shifts tone in the beginning of this paragraph to irony, the use of language that conveys the opposite of the intended meaning. How does he convey a ironic tone? Cite evidence from the text.

Henry shifts tone in the beginning of the paragraph with his rhetorical questions. He says "Shall we acquire the means of effectual resistance by lying supinely on our backs and hugging the delusive phantom of hope, until our enemies shall have bound us hand and foot?". This ironic tone is conveyed with all his rhetorical questions. Of course, Henry does not actually suggest that the people take on this action, because he is implying that this kind of action is totally wrong. In his question, he depicts the people's lack of action towards war as "lying supinely on our backs and hugging the delusive phantom of hope, until our enemies shall have bound us hand and foot". This also shows his opinion on how hoping is an illusion that does not benefit, and that action is necessary or else the British will attack and bound them.

How does Henry's final statement, "Give me liberty or give me death" represent the courage of both Henry and his audience?

Henry states that he is willing to suffer a traitor's death rather than be denied liberty. This was an either/or choice with nothing in between, and a traitor's death was quite likely if the patriot efforts failed. This indicates the courage that Henry displays by making the speech and by implication he recognizes the courage that will be necessary for his fellow delegates to take action.

The Peroratio, or conclusion, has several purposes, including: to restate an argument, to amplify reasoning, to inspire an audience, and to rouse emotional responses. Cite an example from the text of each of these four purposes.

Henry states that he is willing to suffer a traitor's death rather than be denied liberty. This was an either/or choice with nothing in between, and a traitor's death was quite likely if the patriot efforts failed. This indicates the courage that Henry displays by making the speech and by implication he recognizes the courage that will be necessary for his fellow delegates to take action.

Henry uses the word "hope" several times in this speech. Give an example of an "illusion of hope" that Henry suggests in this second paragraph.

Henry states, "We are apt to shut our eyes against a painful truth" (2). He suggests that Hope is an illusion that we ignorantly use for our own peace of mind.

Why does Henry use the term "gentlemen" twice in the first two sentences?

Henry uses the term "gentlemen" twice in the first two sentences to show his respect for speakers that have come before him. He also wants to let the audience know he is addressing the same people in both sentences. He hopes the speakers before him will respect him as he respects them.

Henry again makes a Biblical allusion in sentence 18, "Suffer not yourselves to be betrayed with a kiss." Christ was betrayed by his disciple Judas through the kiss of brotherhood, which led to Christ's arrest and crucifixion (Luke 22:47). Who does Henry believe represents Judas and how does this allusion as a metaphor contribute to Henry's argument?

Henry uses this allusion in where the colonies are Christ, and the British ministry is the equivalent of Judas. Since Judas betrayed Christ, Henry is alluding to the British Ministry betraying the colonies.

In the second paragraph Henry spoke of the "illusions of hope." In sentence 43 he says, "There is no longer any room for hope." Why did he use this term again?

Henry uses this term again to show and explain how the people cannot dream or imagine hope being so easy to obtain. He explains how the people must fight for hope and independence. "There is no longer any room for hope. If we wish to be free-- if we mean to preserve inviolate those inestimable privileges for which we have been so long contending--if we mean not basely to abandon the noble struggle in which we have been so long engaged, and which we have pledged ourselves never to abandon until the glorious object of our contest shall be obtained--we must fight." (Sentence 43-44).

In this second paragraph of the exordium, Henry works to explain the importance and timeliness of his argument by setting up a contrast between illusions and truth in sentences 8 and 12. According to Henry, which will his argument contain and which will it NOT contain?

Henry will contain the truth in his argument regardless of the cost of realizing the illusion of hope and will try to use the truth to benefit their cause. It will not include hope, because Henry explains that in order to move forward and obtain liberty, they must be fully aware of the issues at hand.

Most of the British military action to this point had occurred in and around Boston. How does Henry attempt to connect the fate of Virginia to that of Boston, and why would he wish to make this connection?

Henry writes this in Virginia, yet still uses the pronoun "our" when talking about disputes in Boston, connecting Virginia to Boston because the southern colonies objected to take up arms against England

Henry begins this paragraph with another Biblical allusion, "one lamp by which my feet are guided" (Psalms 119:105). Rather than the word of God, which is the lamp found in the Biblical verse, what is the lamp that Henry uses to guide his feet in sentence 13? Why does he make this connection?

Henry's feet are guided by one lamp and that is the lamp of experience. He connects this with the biblical verse because it shows that he knows what he is doing, and how it will guide him along the path.

How does the ethical appeal in sentence 7 relate to the ethical appeal in sentence 1?

In sentence one, Henry acknowledges patriotism of all people speaking to the house. Then, in sentence seven, he introduces his own ethics and how he must be loyal to his country and to God. He uses this to highlight the fact that the people should trust him and his words.

In sentences 70 through 73, Henry uses a series of questions which directly challenge his fellow delegates. What is his purpose in asking these questions?

In sentences 70 through 73 Henry asks a series of questions, "Why stand we here idle? What is it that gentlemen wish? What would they have?". In asking these questions Henry's purpose is to encourage the listener and emphasize his point. Throughout his speech, Henry repeats that the Virginia colony is badly treated by Britain, and compares it to being enslaved. His last question,"Is life so dear, or peace so sweet, as to be purchased at the price of chains and slavery?" relates to this idea, and appeals to the dignity of the men in the assembly.

In this paragraph Henry uses emotional appeals, language intended to create an emotional response from the audience. Choose three examples of emotional language from excerpt 3. You may choose words, phrases, imagery, or other language elements. For each of your examples explain how they are intended to arouse Henry's audience.

One example of emotional appeal is when Henry says "Our chains are forged". This is intended to arouse the audience by saying that they will be enslaved. Another example is "suffer not yourselves to be betrayed with a kiss". This was intended to arouse the audience because Henry states that they will be betrayed by the British. A final example is when Henry says "if we wish to be free--if we mean to preserve inviolate those inestimable privileges for which we have been so long contending". Henry states that the privileges of the people will be taken away.

Henry continues to use "gentlemen" in this paragraph. Why?

Patrick Henry refers to the other men as "gentlemen" as a term of respect. He wants to be seen as respectful in order to get his message across more clearly.

What does "solace" mean? Why does Henry use this term?

Solace is comfort during a time of distress. When Henry uses solace, he says "And judging 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." (3). His argument in this paragraph is that the British Ministry had proved themselves to be untrustworthy, and action should be taken.

The refutatio presents and refutes counter arguments. In paragraph 4 Henry uses procatalepsis, an argumentative strategy that anticipates an objection and then answers it. What argument does he anticipate and what two rhetorical strategies does he use to refute it?

The argument that Henry anticipates is that the country is weak. He responds with rhetorical questions. "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?". Henry also appeals to the audience's religious values, suggesting that fighting is God-ordained. "There is a just God who presides over the destinies of the nations, and who will raise up friends to fight our battles for us".

Henry finishes this paragraph with an appeal to logic in the form of an "if... then" statement. What is the "if... then" statement in this paragraph?

The main point of the "if... then" statement in paragraph 3 explains that if they want independence, then they have to fight. If they want to satisfy the needs of their people, then they need to fight for their rights. "If we wish to be free—if we mean to preserve inviolate those inestimable privileges for which we have been so long contending—if we mean not basely to abandon the noble struggle in which we have been so long engaged, and which we have pledged ourselves never to abandon until the glorious object of our contest shall be obtained, we must fight!"

Henry builds to a syllogistic argument, an appeal to logic, at the end of this paragraph. Identify the three parts of his syllogism (Major premise [A], Minor premise [B], and Conclusion), citing evidence from the text.

The major premise [A] is we must either fight or talk to achieve results, the minor premise [B] is talking does not achieve results, and the conclusion is since talking does not achieve results we must fight.

What does Henry mean by "awful moment" in sentence 4? Why does he use this phrase?

The phrase "awful moment" means a moment of great importance in the context. Henry uses this phrase because he wants to establish to his audience the great importance of acting upon the constraints and unjust of the British. Henry displays an idea that the American people should fight back against the British. He is emphasizing the life changing issue.

Another function of the exordium is to explain the purpose of the speech. What purpose does Henry establish, and to what is he appealing in order to emphasize this purpose?

The purpose of the debate, of which this speech is a part, is to "arrive at truth" and fulfill the "great responsibility which we hold to God and our country" (sentence 6). He is appealing to the ethical integrity of his audience by articulating their earthly and heavenly responsibilities.

Find an example of Henry's return to an image of slavery at the end of this paragraph. What is the purpose of returning to this metaphor yet again?

The return to an image of slavery is shown when Henry says, "There is no retreat but in submission and slavery. Our chains are forged! Their clanking may be heard on the plains of Boston!" Henry returns to the metaphor of slavery to strengthen his argument regarding not taking action. If they do not take action they will end up being enslaved for sure. This shows that their chains are meant for only the Americans to be chained and that the "war is inevitable". Hoping that the war will not come, and lack of action is all in vain.

Rhetorical parenthesis is the insertion into a sentence of an explanatory word or phrase. Consider sentence 42, "In vain, after these things, may we indulge the fond hope of peace and reconciliation." Identify the parenthesis and Henry's purpose for including it.

The rhetorical parenthesis is peace and reconciliation. His purpose of including it is that people will understand what the phrase is.

In sentence 3 what does Henry mean when he says, "this is no time for ceremony"? Why does he use the term "ceremony"?

When Henry states "there is no time for ceremony" he means there isn't time for idle talk and people should start to take action. Henry uses the term "ceremony" to stress the importance of not trying to just placate the situation, but deal with the truth. Henry believes by facing the truth instead of saying what they want to hear, the people can gain their freedom.