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A Very Brief Summary Of Patrick Henry's Speech

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On March 23, 1775, Patrick Henry presented the idea of fighting against Great Britain for liberty, which Great Britain had suppressed the American colonists for years. Freedom and liberty were necessary for the colonists of the Thirteen Colonies to feel like individual people. Every person should be able to decide the action they would take and the responsibilities they would have. This speech was remarkable and memorable for the start of the bold actions that changed the world forever. Patrick Henry persuade the colonist to fight the British government by using his strong voice as a weapon. Before 1775, the Thirteen Colonies have been under the control of Great Britain and King George III. The British government had been taxing the colonists …show more content…

An example of allusion is “We are apt to shut our eyes against a painful truth, and listen to the song of that siren till she transforms us into beasts.” Henry made reference to the siren and the song that makes people lose their minds. An example of metaphor is “I have but one lamp by which my feet are guided, and that is the lamp of experience.” He was comparing his experiences to a lamp that guided him. An example of imagery is “...and have implored its interposition to arrest the tyrannical hands of the ministry and Parliament.” He was describing the Parliament as a tyrant who want everything it's under control. An example of repetition is “The war is inevitable -- and let it come! I repeat it, sir, let it come.” Patrick Henry worded multiple times that the war was unavoidable. In conclusion, freedom and liberty was necessary for the colonists to feel like individual people. The rhetorical devices, such as metaphor and imagery, made the speech of Patrick Henry sound stronger and more illustrative. Henry skillfully used the three appeals, ethos, pathos, and logos, to strengthen his language and gave him authority in his speech. Patrick Henry’s speech influenced the American Revolution and promoted the idea independence from Great Britain that resulted in one of the strongest countries in the

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