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

Patrick Henry Speech Rhetorical Analysis In his speech to the Virginia Convention on March 23, 1775, lawyer Patrick Henry addressed delegates of the St. John’s Church in Richmond, Virginia, on the issue of the inevitable war with Britain. Henry’s purpose was to encourage the delegation to take up arms in the form of a militia and actively resist the oppression of Britain. By using a series of rhetorical questions and appealing to the delegation’s religious tendencies as well as their strong senses of patriotism, Henry delivered a powerful speech to encourage them to act on their hopes of liberty. Henry opened his speech by establishing his own patriotism and encouraging the delegation to pursue freedom. Henry appeals to man’s natural willingness