1. “ I know not what course others may take; but as for me, give me liberty or give me death!”
Patrick Henry

2. A Powerful Orator and Politician
Delivered two of the best-known speeches of the Revolution, but no one printed them or fully wrote them down
Opposed Stamp Act in front of Virginia legislators in 1765
He alluded to Julius Caesar and King Charles I, who were assassinated (a warning to England!)
Governor proclaimed him an outlaw
Served five one-year terms as governor of Virginia
Led the movement to add a Bill of Rights to the Constitution
Led the fight against the Constitution, claiming it gave the federal government too much power

3. “And what have we to oppose them
“And what have we to oppose them?...An appeal to arms and to the God of Hosts is all that is left of us!”
What is the effect of the five rhetorical questions in this paragraph?
Remember that rhetorical questions are questions to which an answer is evident.
Because the answer is evident, these questions are often used to make listeners feel as if the speaker’s opinions are an inevitable conclusion and to stir their emotions.
These questions counter any possible argument from those who still hesitate about going to war. They also help to stir up the indignation and frustration of the listeners.

4. Questions for Discussion
What measures does Henry say the colonists have already tried in their dealings with England?
Henry says they have “petitioned,” “remonstrated,” “supplicated,” “prostrated,” and ‘implored” the throne.
What examples does he provide to support his position that compromise with the British is not a workable solution?
Petitions have been “slighted”; remonstrances have resulted in increased violence and insult.

5. More Questions
What course of action does Henry want the colonists to take?
He wants the colonists to prepare for war.
What is Henry’s answer to the objection that the colonists were not ready to fight against the British?
He contends that the colonies are not weak and that they will not fight alone – they will be aided by a just God.

6. Now find…
Logical appeals
Emotional appeals
Ethical appeals

7. And finally, persuasive devices
Allusion
Rhetorical questions
Parallelism
Repetition
Any others?