1. Rhetoric in Henry V’s Saint Crispian’s Day Speech
“We Few, We happy Few”
Rhetoric in Henry V’s Saint Crispian’s Day Speech

2. Historical Context: Facts About The Battle of Agincourt
Fought on the morning of the 25th of October 1415, the battle of Agincourt proved to be a crippling defeat for the French, and a major victory for the English in the ongoing Hundred Years War
King Henry had to pawn his Crown Jewels to fund the campaign to France.
A majority of the English troops were lost before the Battle had even begun.

3. Historical context continued…
Although the victory at Agincourt is commonly attributed to King Henry’s military genius, the battle was won by the English archers. Only around 1,500 of the 9,000-strong English army were men-at- arms and knights – the rest were archers, who were armed with their longbows and, occasionally, knives or poleaxes. 
Most of the French army suffocated to death.
Treatment of Prisoners of War.

4. Elements of the “Sales Pitch”
Get right to it: Say what you’re talking about immediately. No matter what you’re selling, you have to answer the question, “Why should I listen to you?”
Establish your Ethos: Your credibility, your right to speak with authority about what you want. Humor can be helpful here. Say again what you want in personal terms.
Appeal to Pathos: The emotional component of your argument. This is the refuge of most political speech. Humor can come into play here as well. Restate your theme, this time in emotional terms that will tug on your audiences emotions. The more you know about your audience, the more targeted the appeal to Pathos.

5. Elements of the Sales Pitch
Appeal to logic or Logos: Why should they do what you ask? Here you appeal to their intellect. Logos is where you give clear reasons to act. What’s in it for them? Why should they march? Why should they buy what you’re selling? This is where your theme is now about them and what they want, rather than what is was when you began: about you and what you want.
Ask for the Order: Your call for action: Can I write you up for 100 to be delivered next week? Or in King Henry’s case, Will you shed your blood with me?
Modern sales technique tells us that once you’ve asked that final question, you need to wait for the answer. Whoever speaks first loses. However, motivational speakers may continue on and close with one final appeal to Pathos.

6. So, let’s watch it
A well-written speech without a solid delivery isn’t worth a whole heck of a lot. So, here’s Kenneth Branaugh’s performance of Henry V’s speech.
While you’re watching, make notes on your copy of the speech where it’s obvious the rhetorical devices we’ve talked about are being used.
No, I don’t expect you to have a full understanding of what is being said, but the tone should be relatively clear.

7. Dissecting Henry V
Westmoreland: O, that we now had here but one in ten thousand of those men in England that do no work today!
Outnumbered five to one by the French, the Earl wishes they had reinforcements. Westmoreland’s remark is, essentially, the introduction for Henry to speak.
King Henry V: What’s he that wishes so? My cousin Westmorland? No, my fair cousin; If we are mark’d to die, we are enow to do our country loss; and if to live, the fewer men, the greater share of honour.
Here we have the main idea, the thrust of King Henry’s argument: If we are going to die in battle, then let’s not have our country lose any more men than those already committed. And his main point: If we live, well then, there’s all the more honor to go around for the few of us.
Henry has been faithful to the first rule of great speech: Get right to the point:

8. And the point is…. “…The fewer men, the greater share of the honour.”
In the context of the play, this line has a great, dark humor to it. Good speakers know that humor, even when tragedy is right around the corner allows them to make a connection with their audience.
By making it clear from the start that honor is what he most values, he’s then able to build his ethos.
In the following section, Henry uses three rhetorical devices:
Repetition
Contrast
Logic

9. “God’s will! I pray thee, wish not one man more.
By Jove, I am not covetous for gold. Nor care I who doth feed upon my cost;
It yearns me not if men my garments wear; such outward things dwell not in my desires;
But if it be a sin to covet honor, I am the most offending soul alive.”
Repetition: Again, he says no more men.
Contrast: He demonstrates how much he values honor be showing how little he values earthly riches.
Logic: In the form of an if/then statement. It forces a favorable judgement about himself in the minds of his men, while appearing humble.

10. Ethos: How the Audience feels about You
“No, faith, my coz, wish not a man from England: God’s peace! I would not lose so great an honour. As one man more, methinks, would share fro me For the best hope I have. O, do not wish one more!” Again, King Henry makes clear that he values honor above all else. He doesn’t allow his men to doubt his commitment to the main idea that more men = less honor. How else can he convince them that there might be a silver lining to being outnumbered 5 to 1? Honor in life, honor in death. A win-win situation. Although he never says there is honor for those who die, it’s reasonable to assume there will be a little bit…

11. PaThos: How they Feel About Your Idea
“Rather proclaim it Westmorland, through my host, That he which hath no stomach for this fight, Let him depart; his passport shall be made And crowns for convoy put in his purse: We would not die in that man’s company That fears his fellowship to die with us.” Henry is back to compare/contrast in this section. This is an amusing spin on the main idea. When he tells those men who “hath no stomach for this fight” should go ahead and leave. He even offers them money for the journey. Again, he makes clear that the fewer men to fight, the more glory for those men who remain. He NEVER deviates from his point, he simply comes at it from different angles.

12. Logos: What’s in it for them?
So, why should these men, starving in the mud, care the least bit about honor? Logos persuades via concrete examples, imagery, and anecdotes. Kind Henry gives three examples with vivid pictures of what is in it for them. First, they will be proud of themselves: “This day is called the feast of Crispian: He that outlives this day, and comes safe home, Will stand a tip-toe when the day is named, And rouse him at the name of Crispian”

13. Logos…continued
Second, while you live, others will annually acknowledge your honor. They will see and admire the evidence: your wounds and medals. (Notice the repetition and theme re-statement of…he who lives.) “He that shall live this day and see old age, Will yearly on the vigil feast his neighbours, And say ‘To-morrow is Saint Crispian:’ Then will he strip his sleeve and show his scars. And say ‘These wounds I had on Crispian’s day”

14. And…more logos
Third, you shall not be forgotten. Your story will be told, and as a result, you will achieve immortality! ”Old men forget: yet all shall be forgot, But he’ll remember with advantages What feats he did that day: then shall our names, Familiar in his mouth as household words Harry the King, Bedford and Exeter, Warwick and Talbot, Salisbury and Gloucester, Be in their flowing cups freshly remember’d. This story shall the good man teach his son; and Crispin Crispian shall ne’er go by, From this day to the ending of the world, But we in it shall be remember’d;”

15. The Call to Action
“For he to-day that sheds his blood with me Shall be my brother; be he ne’er so vile, This day shall gentle his condition:’ What does he want them to do? Shed blood with the king. Become as a brother to the king. In doing so, rise above your station. Be a hero. Become a legend.

16. In Closing…
“ And gentlemen in England now a-bed Shall think themselves accursed they were not here, And hold their manhoods cheap while any speaks That fought with us upon Saint Crispian’s day” Finally, leave them laughing. This final appeal to the emotions is designed to garner laughter.

17. Works Cited
"6 Facts about the Battle of Agincourt." Royal Central. N.p., Web. 18 Aug
"Steve Rapson's Articles and Essays." Steve Rapsons Articles and Essays. N.p., n.d. Web. 18 Aug
Branagh, Kenneth, and William Shakespeare. Henry V. New York: W.W. Norton, Print.

18. What’s Next? Patrick Henry: “Speech in the Virginia Convention”
This speech was delivered in 1775 to convince the delegates of the Second Virginia Provincial Convention that was with England was fast becoming unavoidable.
Using all of the information you’ve gathered about rhetoric and the use of rhetorical devices, READ and ANNOTATE (Sticky notes…)your copy of “Virginia Convention” and compose a ONE PAGE analysis of the piece.