examples of antithesis in patrick henry's speech

The refutatio presents and refutes counter arguments. Henry builds to a syllogistic argument, an appeal to logic, at the end of this paragraph. This is a persuasive speech, one intended not only to present an argument but also to persuade the audience to act. What is the effect of this contrast? Some examples of antithesis is "give me liberty or give me death" (Henry p6) - parallel of liberty and death emphasizes difference and the other one is "there is no retreat but in submission and slavery." Henry appeal the audience with Emotional appeals (pathos). What does "give me liberty or give me death" mean? Virginia ranked among the largest, wealthiest, and most populous colonies in 1775, and her political and military support for independence would be crucial for success. (25) Can gentlemen assign any other possible motive for it? He is emphasizing the life changing issue. (55) Besides, sir, we shall not fight our battles alone. (8) Mr. President, it is natural to man to indulge in the illusions of hope. He again sets up a choice for his audience. (10) Is this the part of wise men, engaged in a great and arduous struggle for liberty? Why does he use this phrase? 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. He is unwilling to accept anything less than liberty, and he will fight to the death to win it. 0000006808 00000 n Copyright 20102022 National Humanities Center. Spicy food is heaven on the tongue but hell in the tummy. The time for vacillation is over; there is no longer any point in trying to compromise with the British. Rhetorical Figures in Sound: Antithesis. MR. PRESIDENT: (1) No man thinks more highly than I do of the patriotism, as well as abilities, of the very worthy gentlemen who have just addressed the House. ", -Patrick Henry, in his speech to the Second Virginia Convention, 1775, "No, our motto is, when they go low, we go high. But, you should also notice the use of parallelism. 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 was the best of times, it was the worst of times. Give an example of an "illusion of hope" that Henry suggests in this second paragraph. However, one could argue that Patrick Henry's speech is more effective due to the fact he clearly uses different elements better in his speech. 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". Patrick Henry refers to the other men as "gentlemen" as a term of respect. Asyndeton is a series of phrases or words with conjunctions deleted. You can find it on YouTube. "We have no election" (Par. The most common types of informative speeches are definition, explanation, description, and demonstration. Henry begins this paragraph with another Biblical allusion, "one lamp by which my feet are guided" (Psalms 119:105). This comparison is explaining how the king will draw them in as well as forcing them into transforming their country if they chose to listen to his actions. Find an example of metonomy and synecdoche in this paragraph and identify what each represents. 0000001373 00000 n (71) What is it that gentlemen wish? HdSMo0W(*d0X;dm7v)I4E=>]\",w:CM_U[:teQj5y^^Nl5sIF)RVbZ)^9* Z\ {y%MA.z1rf HlBRV@O]TnIfa_L6J" 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"). 25. Henry continues to use "gentlemen" in this paragraph. What purpose does Henry establish, and to what is he appealing in order to emphasize this purpose? Patrick Henry's famous ''Give me liberty or give me death'' is a classic one. He is alluding to the sirens found in the epic The Odyssey. (60) There is no retreat but in submission and slavery! Forbid it"(73-74). 37. (27) No, sir, she has none. 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. Both parts of the quote are of equal length, use about the same number of words, and contain the same parts of speech. Henry uses parallelism (structuring phrases in similar fashion) several times in this paragraph. In sentence 1 Henry acknowledges the patriotism of the members of the House who have just spoken. He is linking this part of his argument to the exordium and explaining that any chance of hope no longer exists. This was an either/or choice with nothing in between, and a traitor's death was quite likely if the patriot efforts failed. New York: Published by Currier & Ives, c1876. There is no longer any middle position that can be adopted; there are only two choices: liberty or death. As his argument builds he wants to take them along with him reiterating the fact that they are esteemed colleagues. He chooses verbs that are increasingly dramatic to remind his audience that the Colonies have tried everything without result. Henry is using the allusion from The Odyssey, a poem written by Homer. Cite an example from the text of each of these four purposes. Solace is comfort during a time of distress. (46) An appeal to arms and to the God of Hosts is all that is left us! (sentence 70) The Convention members consider themselves to be men of integrity and ethics, as Henry acknowledged in sentence 1. Juxtaposition means to put two elements side by side, often for comparison. Henry states, "We are apt to shut our eyes against a painful truth" (2). 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). This ironic tone is conveyed with all his rhetorical questions. Countless quotes and sayings rely on it for effect. On the one hand, these are supposedly decaying corpses that belong six feet under. 0000000997 00000 n (68) The next gale that sweeps from the north will bring to our ears the clash of resounding arms! What is Henrys purpose in using this image in paragraph 3? eNotes Editorial, 5 Oct. 2020, https://www.enotes.com/homework-help/where-is-antithesis-in-patrick-henry-s-speech-to-510726. But Henry felt that delay would be a major mistake. (Sentence 42-43). In sentences 70 through 73, Henry uses a series of questions which directly challenge his fellow delegates. Are fleets and armies necessary to a work of love and reconciliation? These are the implements of war; the last arguments to which kings resort. (sentences 20 and 23). Thats one small step for man, one giant leap for mankind. He means that the question under discussion is extremely important with potentially life-changing consequences. This sets up the second major element of antithesis: Henry's famous proclamation, "give me liberty or give me death.". The Narratio contextualizes the argument, including presenting any background information necessary, while the Confirmatio lays out in order the evidence to support the thesis. In the Text Analysis section, Tier 2 vocabulary words are defined in pop-ups, and Tier 3 words are explained in brackets. (42) In vain, after these things, may we indulge the fond hope of peace and reconciliation. Our online magazine with tips, news, and instruction for you. He contrasts them with fleets and armies. The effect is to highlight the fact that Great Britain does not consider love and reconciliation a viable strategy, since they have responded with fleets and armies, and these should be the last arguments to which kings resort. Henry emphasizes that Great Britain has already taken the matter past the diplomatic phase to the military level. Latest answer posted September 21, 2016 at 8:05:13 PM. Here they are. Statue of Patrick Henry, Richmond, Virginia. The foot of the throne (sentence 41) is metonomy, representing the King. (47) They tell us, sir, that we are weak; unable to cope with so formidable an adversary. Formez la question que Caroline pose. Consider sentence 42, In vain, after these things, may we indulge the fond hope of peace and reconciliation. Identify the parenthesis and Henrys purpose for including it. 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). The lamp is experience. It reminds us that people will always make mistakes, but only the best of us will find the strength to forgive and let go. 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. (an-TIH-theh-sis): Figure of balance in which two contrasting ideas are intentionally juxtaposed, usually through parallel structure; a contrasting of opposing ideas in adjacent phrases, clauses, or sentences. As a rhetorical device, antithesis is defined very specifically as the use of: 1) two opposing ideas 2) presented in parallel structure 3) in the same sentence The effect is to heighten the contrastand in many cases, vividly drive the speaker's point home. Henry first mentions slavery in paragraph one when he contrasts it with freedom. How does Henry attempt to connect the fate of Virginia to that of Boston, and why would he wish to make this connection? Who does Henry believe represents Judas and how does this allusion as a metaphor contribute to Henry's argument? The first paragraph of classical argument, the exordium, seeks to engage the audience and prepare them to hear the speaker's message. Henry states that he is willing to suffer a traitor's death rather than be denied liberty. Then, in sentence seven, he introduces his own ethics and how he must be loyal to his country and to God. Why do you think Henry begins his speech with the statement "Mr. President: No man thinks more highly than I do of the patriotism, as well as abilities of the very worthy gentlemen who have just addressed the house. How does the ethical appeal in sentence 7 relate to the ethical appeal in sentence 1? relates to this idea, and appeals to the dignity of the men in the assembly. 11. This shows that their chains are meant for only the Americans to be chained and that the "war is inevitable". His use of pronouns reinforces the idea that the chains heard in Boston are also the chains of Virginians. Give an example in this paragraph of an attempt to engage the audience and an example of an attempt to prepare the audience. Minor premise [B]: Talking does not achieve results. In sentence 5, when Henry states, "I consider it as nothing less than a question of freedom or slavery," he commits a logical fallacy. 0000004268 00000 n What is it that gentlemen wish? (6) It is only in this way that we can hope to arrive at truth, and fulfill the great responsibility which we hold to God and our country. (63) The war is inevitable and let it come! (51) Shall we gather strength by irresolution and inaction? The speech was so inspiring that it ignited a massive flame of patriotism. Henry uses the word hope several times in this speech. (73) Is life so dear, or peace so sweet, as to be purchased at the price of chains and slavery? The phrase "awful moment" means a moment of great importance in the context. The text of this speech is well known; less well known is the fact that there was no actual transcript created of Henrys speech after all, these discussions smacked of treason, and keeping a written record would have been dangerous. Henry displays an idea that the American people should fight back against the British. (29) They are sent over to bind and rivet upon us those chains which the British ministry has been so long forging. Cite evidence from the text. In paragraph 4 Henry uses procatalepsis, an argumentative strategy that anticipates an objection and then answers it. In this antithesis, Henry is putting forward two radically distinct visions of America's future before his listeners and demanding that they choose between them. The parenthesis is after these things, and Henry is referring to the Colonies attempts at reconciliation. 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). He states in sentence 68, "the next gale will bring to our ears the clash of resounding arms.". In sentence 5, when Henry states, I consider it as nothing less than a question of freedom or slavery, he commits a logical fallacy. (24) I ask, gentlemen, sir, what means this martial array, if its purpose be not to force us to submission? He is recognizing the treasonable nature of this discussion, displaying not only his own courage but asking his fellow delegates to show courage as well. If they want to satisfy the needs of their people, then they need to fight for their rights. One really famous example is Neil Armstrong's statement as he stepped onto the moon's surface; he said, "One small step for man; one giant leap for mankind." Identify the three parts of his syllogism (Major premise [A], Minor premise [B], and Conclusion), citing evidence from the text. In 1775 unrest bubbled through the American Colonies. Why? In this paragraph Henry uses emotional appeals, language intended to create an emotional response from the audience. He clearly indicates that he chooses the second option. 887 Words4 Pages. 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. Get busy living or get busy dying. Henry reminds his audience that the Colonies have been trying to negotiate for ten years without results. 0000002338 00000 n Each month, our Buckley School resident students of classical rhetoric explain a rhetorical device that can improve your public speaking. How does he convey a ironic tone? 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? On the one hand, these are supposedly decaying corpses that belong six feet under. And if you're interested in the controversy over whether he said "a man" or merely "man," you might enjoy this article. 36. "There is no longer any room for hope. 4. Most of the British military action to this point had occurred in and around Boston. As you analyze the individual parts of the speech, look also for how these parts of the argument work together. This statement will try to convince the reader to fight for hope instead of dream of it. He again sets up a choice for his audience. He delivered it on July 5, 1852 to the women of the Rochester Anti-Slavery Sewing Society--and in that speech youll find a number of striking examples of antithesis. He explains how the people must fight for hope and independence.