Premium Essay

Patrick Henry's Speech In The Virginia House Of Burgesses

Submitted By
Words 181
Pages 1
Patrick Henry almost certainly didn’t issue the defiant cry “if this be treason, make the most of it” or any of the deathless remarks confidently attributed to him in the Virginia House of Burgesses in May 1765. The clerk of the convention makes no note of Henry’s speech, and none of those present gave any hint in their correspondence that Henry’s remarks had been particularly edifying that day. Nor, while we are at it, is there any evidence that Henry ever uttered that other famous remark attributed to him “I know not what course others may take; nut as for me, give me liberty or give me death.” Indeed, there is no evidence that Henry ever said anything of substance or found space in his head for a single original thought. He was a country

Similar Documents

Premium Essay

How Did Patrick Henry Show Courage

...Patrick Henry was a great patriot he never used guns or his fists to fight his county but he used a much powerful weapon ever and they were his words his speeches are “give me liberty or give me death”. Patrick Henry was born in Hangover County, Virginia in 1776, to Jon and Sarah Winston Henry. Patrick Henry was a lawyer, patriot, orator, and willing participant in virtually every aspect of the founding of America. He was twice married, to Sarah Shelton, and to Dorothea Dandridge. He got elected in the house of Burgesses in 1765, and became governor of Virginia in 1776 then died on June 6, 1799. Patrick Henry's personality was curious antidote to stern honor George Washington. When Henry was by the age of 10, his family knew that he would not be a farmer, and instead tried to train toward academe. Then at the age of 21 his father set him up a business that he bankrupted shortly thereafter then became a lawyer, Henry was elected as governor of Virginia in 1776. He was again elected...

Words: 437 - Pages: 2

Premium Essay

Patrick Henry Research Paper

...Patrick Henry: Champion of Freedom According to George Mason, Patrick Henry was the Founding Father most responsible for “the preservation of our rights and liberties” (Unger 3). Growing up on the frontier of Virginia, being educated by his family, experiencing early failures as a young man and coming from a long line of gifted orators, shaped his convictions and actions. These impacted his life, both as a lawyer and a statesman, causing him to work tirelessly for the freedom of all people. Patrick Henry’s early life had a huge impact on the man he became and his mission. On May 24, 1736, America’s best orator was born. He came from a family of public speakers (Unger 5). Patrick Henry, the second oldest of nine children, two boys and seven...

Words: 1676 - Pages: 7

Premium Essay

A Rhetorical Analysis Of Patrick Henry's Speech To The Virginia Convention

...Patrick Henry’s Speech Rhetorical Analysis Lawyer and politician, Patrick Henry, in his speech to the Virginia Convention, describes the dire situation the American Colonists have faced with their homeland, Great Britain, in the past few years. The House of Burgesses was firmly against starting a war with Britain, but Henry urged the House members to rouse a militia to fight the British Army. Henry’s speech is full of imagery, allusions, and pathos that reflect the education and income level of the audience and support his claim that Americans needed to fight for their freedom from Britain. Use of Allusions The principal thing Henry did when giving his discourse has he complimented his adversaries, so as to pick up their appreciation and...

Words: 301 - Pages: 2

Premium Essay

Henry's Speech

...Adv. Composition 30 August 2011 Arguing for Freedom As a member of the Virginia House of Burgesses, Patrick Henry strongly supported joining the American Revolution to break away from Great Britain. Henry delivered a speech to his fellow House members at the Virginia Convention on March 23, 1775, to persuade the voting to favor his decision to fight for freedom. The strong title of Give Me Liberty or Give Me Freedom represents the climax of the speech and Henry’s primary message. Henry utilizes various rhetorical strategies to appeal to the audience and support the purpose of the argument. Numerous schemes and tropes, such as hyperboles, metaphors, erotema, antithesis, and repetition draw attention to the purpose of the speech and demand focus from the audience. Appeals to ethos, logos, and pathos strategically employed throughout the speech enhance the overall effect of the argument. By properly exhausting rhetorical strategies, Henry creates a demanding yet respectful tone that is strong, honorable, and persuasive. Henry identifies his great respect for the audience and opposing opinions in the first lines of the speech with the statement, “I hope it will not be thought disrespectful to those gentlemen if, entertaining as I do opinions of a character very opposite to theirs, I shall speak forth my sentiments freely and without reserve.” Such a bold yet respectful tone illustrates Henry’s purpose accurately and delivers the controversial message without offending...

Words: 949 - Pages: 4

Premium Essay

A Rhetorical Analysis Of Patrick Henry's Speech

...Patrick Henry was born on May 29, 1736 in Hanover County, Virginia. He was the second of nine children. He didn't go to school, but he was thoroughly taught by his father and uncle. His father was John Winston Henry; an immigrant from Scotland. Henry’s parents worshiped at different churches. This had a strong impact on his character and political views. Since his parents practiced different religions, he fused both together more modern views with old fashioned views, to create his own neutral perspectives. Patrick Henry was a lawyer, patriot, and politician. He participated in almost every aspect of founding America. Henry married Sarah Shelton in 1754, and then Dorothea Dandridge in 1777, following Sarah’s Death. He had seventeen children...

Words: 977 - Pages: 4

Free Essay

Patrickhenry

...Biblical Themes from Patrick Henry Sarah Lumbard HIUS 221 January 30, 2014 On March 23, 1775 Patrick Henry stood before the House of Burgesses in St. Johns Church in Richmond Virginia. His eloquent speech, now known as the famous “Give Me Liberty or Give Me Death” speech, was given to the members of the House, which included Thomas Jefferson and George Washington. The audience was a predominately Christian audience, as most men were in colonial days. Having been moved by the Great Awakening to be more involved in the politics and be a Christian influence, Henry appealed to the patriot and the Christian in each member of the audience. Throughout Henry’s speech, biblical themes can be found. Henry was not using the biblical phrases in context per say, but he was using them as catch phrases to appeal to the Christian morals and Biblical knowledge that these men had. One of the many biblical references that jumps out is in relation to the crown not listening to the colonists as they petition for fair treatment as British subjects and respect for their rights, and yet were always denied. Henry says, “Suffer not yourselves to be betrayed with a kiss.” This vivid imagery reminds us of the kiss from Judas on Jesus’ cheek as he identifies him to the Roman soldiers. Luke 22: 47b-48 says, “And he approached Jesus to kiss Him. But Jesus said to him, “Judas, are you betraying the Son of Man with a kiss?” To the colonists, this kiss represents the betrayal of the King of England...

Words: 987 - Pages: 4

Premium Essay

Patrick Henry: Most Influential Founding Fathers

...Patrick Henry One of the most influential founding fathers was Patrick Henry. This Virginian at one time was a surveyor, colonel and justice.This patriot’s famous quote “Give me liberty, or give me death!” was a rallying cry for American independence. Patrick Henry was born on May 29, 1736 at their family farm near Studley in Hanover County,Virginia. His father John Henry ,was a Scottish emigrant from Aberdeenshire, where he attended King’s College. In Hanover, he served as a surveyor, a colonel, a justice at the county court .Patrick was the second born of his parents’ nine children. Although at first he went to a local school, he was mostly taught at home by his father. His uncle, Anglican priest, also provided instructions. Many believe that he inherited his great speaking abilities from him....

Words: 418 - Pages: 2

Free Essay

Patrick Henry

...Patrick Henry is not a very well know man today. When you ask people about him no one even knows who he was or what he did for America. In this parer hopefully you will learn more about who Patrick Henry was and see the important that he played in America history. Patrick Henry was born in Hanover Country, Virginia on May 29, 1736. He was born to John and Sarah Winston Henry. He was a figure of American’s struggles for liberty and self-government. Henry was a lawyer, planter, speaker, and willing participant in virtually every aspect of the founding of America. He was married two times to Sarah Shelton, with which he had six kids and Dorothea Dandridge who had eleven kids. Henry served in the Virginia House of Burgesses; he was a member of the Virginia committee of Correspondence, a delegate to the Virginia Convention and a delegated to the Virginia Constitution Ratification Convention. He played a protuberant part in the May 6, 1776, convention and became the first governor of the commonwealth under its new constitution. Patrick Henry served five terms as governor of Virginia from 1776-1779 and then again 1784-1786. Henry was most known for his speech “Give me Liberty or Give me Death” (Henry, P. 1775) which he gave on March 23, 1775. Unfortunately the text of this speech like most of his speech he gave was not documented until years after his death. This speech did not first appear in print until William Wirt published it in 1816 in “Life and Character of Patrick Henry”...

Words: 1158 - Pages: 5