examples of antithesis in patrick henry's speech

The Peroratio, or conclusion, has several purposes, including: to restate an argument, to amplify reasoning, to inspire an audience, and to rouse emotional responses. To really get a feel for antithesis and to see how common it is in everyday life, here are a few common sayings and expressions that rely on this literary device. 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 wishes to inspire his colleagues to arms, in order to avoid the chains and slavery.. (40) We have petitioned; we have remonstrated; we have supplicated; we have prostrated ourselves before the throne, and have implored its interposition to arrest the tyrannical hands of the ministry and Parliament. What does "give me liberty or give me death" mean? If they want to satisfy the needs of their people, then they need to fight for their rights. (23) These are the implements of war and subjugation; the last arguments to which kings resort. As you analyze the individual parts of the speech, look also for how these parts of the argument work together. In paragraph 4 Henry uses procatalepsis, an argumentative strategy that anticipates an objection and then answers it. Choose three examples of emotional language from excerpt 3. 15. When a poet sings their verses, there is always a strange sense that they are talking to you, the listener. The Convention members consider themselves to be men of integrity and ethics, as Henry acknowledged in sentence 1. In sentence 75, probably the most famous sentence from this speech, Henry uses antithesis to set up a clear contrast. 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. Saint Johns Church, Richmond, Virginia, where Patrick Henry delivered his famous speech. Library of Congress Prints and Photographs Division Washington, D.C. Peter F. Rothermel, Patrick Henrys Treason speech before the House of Burgesses, 1851. 887 Words4 Pages. They are used in Patrick Henry's extemporaneous speech "Give Me Liberty, or Give me Death." Henry, a revolutionary leader, made this speech at the meeting of the Virginia convention on March 23, 1775. 19. Staking Your Claim By: Andrea Holub Both Abraham Lincoln's, "House Divided" and Patrick Henry's, "Give Me Liberty, or Give Me Death" are both powerful speeches that effectively use figurative language, rhetorical appeals, and rhetorical devices. Languages have always been my passion and I have studied Linguistics, Computational Linguistics and Sinology at the University of Zurich. Even when were not aware of it, were using many of the same rhetorical techniques Aristotle, Cicero, Abraham Lincoln, Frederick Douglass, Winston Churchill, Martin Luther King, Jr. and other greats haveemployedin public speaking. (27) No, sir, she has none. It tells us that a Green Lanterns duty is to fight evil during the best of times and the worst of times. 8. Patrick Henry, speech to the Virginia Convention, 1775. (29) They are sent over to bind and rivet upon us those chains which the British ministry has been so long forging. -To rouse: "Why stand we here idle?" His speech reflected language and actions far more radical that his fellow delegates were willing to go in public, but Henry based his request upon the assumption that even more aggressive military actions by the British would soon follow. The use of rhetorical analysis is very useful to make works appealing and contribute effectively to the author's purpose. For example, during his speech, Patrick Henry speaks of how Britain will be "the next gale that sweeps." He metaphorically creates an appeal to pathos as he describes the advancement of the British military as a gale that will sweep from the north. In a synecdoche, part of an element substitutes for the whole (for instance, farm hands means farm laborers). We also describe parting as sweet sorrow.. Click here for standards and skills for this lesson. National Humanities Center | 7 T.W. What is it that gentlemen wish? The major premise [A] is we must either fight or talk to achieve results, the minor premise [B] is talking does not achieve results, and the conclusion is since talking does not achieve results we must fight. Copyright 20102022 National Humanities Center. 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. 34 0 obj <> endobj Spicy food is heaven on the tongue but hell in the tummy. He answers it through tonal shifts and appeals. How does he convey a ironic tone? 0000004268 00000 n In the question above, the British assembly of "fleets and armies," instruments of war, is antithetical to ideas of "love and reconciliation." He uses the possessive pronoun our when discussing the chains, even though the clanking is heard is Boston. And, then you have unique poetic structures, like couplets, stanzas, and antithesis. Henry reminds his audience that the Colonies have been trying to negotiate for ten years without results. Henry is using the allusion from The Odyssey, a poem written by Homer. Henry first mentions slavery in paragraph one when he contrasts it with freedom. %%EOF The teachers guide includes a background note, the text analysiswithresponses to the close reading questions, access to the interactive exercises, and a follow-up assignment. Frederick Douglass, photographed around the time he gave his speech on July 5, 1852. Patrick Henry begins the speech with pathos, saying that he regards the matter before the convention as "nothing less than a question of freedom or slavery." The emotive language continues as . (2) But different men often see the same subject in different lights; and, therefore, I hope it will not be thought disrespectful to those gentlemen if, entertaining as I do, opinions of a character very opposite to theirs, I shall speak forth my sentiments freely, and without reserve. 6. In the same vein, Henry states the question of war against Great Britain in antithetical terms as a choice between "freedom or slavery.". On the other hand, they are alive in every sense of the word. He is unwilling to accept anything less than liberty, and he will fight to the death to win it. Frederick Douglass, using antithesis in his powerful anti-slavery speech, "The Meaning of the Fourth of July to the Negro". He states that it is natural to man to indulge in the illusions of hope but in the last sentence of the paragraph he clearly says he will not do that he will know the whole truth. His argument will contain truth but will not contain illusions. For more information about syllogisms, see Understanding Syllogisms. In his powerful, dramatic speech to the Virginia Convention, Patrick Henry wants to instill a sense of urgency in his listeners. The two clauses of the sentence are parallel because each starts off with an infinitive verb and ends with an adjective ("human" and "divine"). Avec un partenaire, jouez les deux roles. Choose three examples of emotional language from excerpt 3. (62) Their clanking may be heard on the plains of Boston! His use of pronouns reinforces the idea that the chains heard in Boston are also the chains of Virginians. Give me liberty, or give me death! Patrick Henry delivering his great speech on the rights of the colonies, before the Virginia Assembly, convened at Richmond, March 23rd 1775, concluding with the above sentiment, which became the war cry of the revolution. Lithograph. To better understand what that was all about, lets take a look at a few classic examples. By now, I hope you see how common antithesis is. He inserts appeals to ethos, logos, and pathos. Identify the parenthesis and Henry's purpose for including it. The provenance of the speech notwithstanding, Henrys words provide a rich source to study rhetorical strategies and classical argument, and that study is the focus of this lesson. The refutatio presents and refutes counter arguments. Or to take arms against a sea of trouble. Find an example of slave imagery in this paragraph. Padoru (Meme): Meaning & What It Has to Do With Christmas! He is suggesting that radical change, either positive or negative, needs to happen and will happen in order for the colonies to become free. Here they are. The speech divides into the four parts of a classical argument, defined below. (63) The war is inevitable and let it come! However, in my humble opinion, the line doesnt pop. In sentences 70 through 73, Henry uses a series of questions which directly challenge his fellow delegates. Henry cautions his audience that the hopes of the past may have been used to comfort the Convention, but such comfort is an illusion and will not last. The often-quoted lines from Tennyson's poem, ''The Charge of the Light Brigade,'' illustrate this point . Henry finishes this paragraph with an appeal to logic in the form of an if then statement. (11) Are we disposed to be of the number of those who, having eyes, see not, and, having ears, hear not, the things which so nearly concern their temporal salvation? The phrase "awful moment" means a moment of great importance in the context. The slings and arrows of outrageous fortune (69) Our brethren are already in the field! On the one hand, these are supposedly decaying corpses that belong six feet under. Cite evidence from the text. Henry returns to the metaphor of slavery to strengthen his argument regarding not taking action. Instead of relying on the British to protect their liberties, Start your 48-hour free trial to unlock this answer and thousands more. Henry states, "We are apt to shut our eyes against a painful truth" (2). Henry recounts past experiences and events that guide his feet and make fighting a necessity. (52) Shall we acquire the means of effectual resistance, by lying supinely on our backs, and hugging the delusive phantom of hope, until our enemies shall have bound us hand and foot? Henry lists several negotiation attempts by colonists and British responses. He responds with rhetorical questions. He is moving his audience away from the position of illusive hope that they may have held at the beginning of his speech toward another position. Antithesis is not opposition to creating a thesis as part of an academic program, though we sympathize if you are, in fact, anti-thesis in pursuit of that masters degree. Most of the British military action to this point had occurred in and around Boston. Latest answer posted May 29, 2017 at 3:40:17 AM. -To inspire: "Give me liberty or give me death" (sentence 75). In sentence 43 he says, "There is no longer any room for hope." The answer is yes, but its effect becomes much less potent. 2023 eNotes.com, Inc. All Rights Reserved. Patrick Henry's speech is based on an either/or premise, which can be summed up in antithetical terms as fight or die. How does it leave such an effect on the listener? In sentence one, Henry acknowledges patriotism of all people speaking to the house. Let us know your assignment type and we'll make sure to get you exactly the kind of answer you need. (7) Should I keep back my opinions at such a time, through fear of giving offence, I should consider myself as guilty of treason towards my country, and of an act of disloyalty toward the majesty of heaven, which I revere above all earthly kings. Then, in sentence seven, he introduces his own ethics and how he must be loyal to his country and to God. What does Henry mean by awful moment in sentence 4? Rather than the word of God, which is the lamp found in the Biblical verse, what is the lamp that Henry uses to guide his feet in sentence 13? In sentence 29 Henry states, They [the armies and fleets] are sent over to bind and rivet upon us those chains which the British ministry have been so long forging. He wishes to continue the image of slavery to explain that the Colonies have used argument to combat the attempts of the British to enslave them, but these efforts have failed. This shows that their chains are meant for only the Americans to be chained and that the "war is inevitable". (Sentence 43-44). A hypophora is useful to present to an audience issues they may not have considered in depth. For each of your examples explain how they are intended to arouse Henry's audience. Hey fellow Linguaholics! Such an argument is called an "ethical appeal." Henry seeks to engage his audience by showing his respect for them. (5) For my own part, I consider it as nothing less than a question of freedom or slavery; and in proportion to the magnitude of the subject ought to be the freedom of the debate. The two contrasting ideas are small step for man and giant leap for mankind.. The passing of the Stamp Act by the British crown in 1765 triggered the start of a major revolution. In this second paragraph of the exordium, Henry works to explain the importance and timeliness of his argument by setting up a contrast between illusions and truth in sentences 8 and 12. Resources for Understanding Text Complexity, Resources for Writing High-Quality Text Dependent Questions, Advisor: Robert A. Ferguson, George Edward Woodberry Professor in Law, Literature and Criticism, Columbia University, National Humanities Center FellowCopyright National Humanities Center, 2015. The parenthesis is after these things, and Henry is referring to the Colonies attempts at reconciliation. But Henry felt that delay would be a major mistake. and other greats haveemployedin public speaking. The obvious, and unspoken, answer is liberty, of course. 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). Would they rather ignore the situation and have dangerous outcomes (this choice is defined by the previous allusions to the sirens and Ezekiel) or instead know the truth and prepare? Henry again makes a Biblical allusion in sentence 18, Suffer not yourselves to be betrayed with a kiss. Christ was betrayed by his disciple Judas through the kiss of brotherhood, which led to Christs arrest and crucifixion (Luke 22:47). 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. Give an example in this paragraph of an attempt to engage the audience and an example of an attempt to prepare the audience. 9. Henry is saying that the British are clearly preparing for war, no matter what they may protest to the contrary, and therefore, the colonists need to be prepared as well. Those iconic words were spoken by Neil Armstrong when his foot first touched the moon. startxref 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. What is its purpose? To Henry, a life of slavery is not a life at all and hence not worth living "Is life so dear, or peace so dear as to be purchased at the price of chains and slavery? Patrick Henry is not speaking in the Virginia House of Burgesses [the state legislature] in Williamsburg because it had been dissolved the year before by Royal Governor Dunmore. Instead of relying on the British to protect their liberties, the Americans must be prepared to fight for themto the death, if necessary. There is alliteration, assonance, imagery, metaphor, rhyme, and onomatopoeia. Shall we try argument? Sir, we have been trying that for the last ten years. (sentences 30, 31, and 32). Henry states that he is willing to suffer a traitors death rather than be denied liberty. Why does Henry begin the second sentence with "but"? 35. In sentence 11 he says "Are we disposed of the number of those who, having eyes, see not, and, having ears, hear not." In reality the sirens were ugly beasts, that killed the men as soon as they approached and ate them. 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? Cite evidence from the text. Antithesis "There is no retreat but in submission and slavery." Ethos (Ethical Appeal) APPEAL: "Sir, we are not weak, if we make a proper use of the means which the God of nature hath placed in our power." Logos (Logical Appeal) APPEAL: " What terms shall we find which have not been already exhausted? In sentence 75, probably the most famous sentence from this speech, Henry uses antithesis to set up a clear contrast. Patrick Henry, the famous American Patriot, uttered the above words during a speech he gave, highlighting the main objective behind the American Revolution and explaining the lengths they were willing to go to. How does Henry attempt to connect the fate of Virginia to that of Boston, and why would he wish to make this connection? Determine Patrick Henry's tone in this speech. Has Great Britain any enemy, in this quarter of the world, to call for all this accumulation of navies and armies? No, sir, she has none. (sentence 66) 18. (38) Let us not, I beseech you, sir, deceive ourselves. (54) Three millions of people, armed in the holy cause of liberty, and in such a country as that which we possess, are invincible by any force which our enemy can send against us. What argument does he anticipate and what two rhetorical strategies does he use to refute it? No pain, no gain. He is emphasizing the life changing issue. (26) Has Great Britain any enemy, in this quarter of the world, to call for all this accumulation of navies and armies? On March 23, 1775, he asked the Virginia Convention to take a defensive stance immediately against Great Britain by raising an armed company in every Virginia county an action considered by many to be open treason. Sententia, especially useful in speeches, is an argumentative device that uses sound to sum up an argument. (21) Have we shown ourselves so unwilling to be reconciled, that force must be called in to win back our love? Those who can, do; those who can't do, teach. 4. The Language of Composition: Reading, Writing, Rhetoric, Lawrence Scanlon, Renee H. Shea, Robin Dissin Aufses, Literature and Composition: Reading, Writing,Thinking, Carol Jago, Lawrence Scanlon, Renee H. Shea, Robin Dissin Aufses, Iggy: Chapter 8 - Care for Patients @ End of. Henry begins this paragraph with another Biblical allusion, "one lamp by which my feet are guided" (Psalms 119:105). Henry believes by facing the truth instead of saying what they want to hear, the people can gain their freedom. He is alluding to the sirens found in the epic The Odyssey. Why does he use the term ceremony? The false dichotomy (either-or) fallacy gives only two options with no choices in between, and Henry uses this intentionally. Another comparison that is seen in the speech is correlating to King George as a siren. 0000006207 00000 n 0000008610 00000 n They feed, they move around, and some of them can think depending on which movie you are watching. There is no longer any middle position that can be adopted; there are only two choices: liberty or death. endstream endobj 35 0 obj<> endobj 37 0 obj<> endobj 38 0 obj<>/ProcSet[/PDF/Text]/ExtGState<>>> endobj 39 0 obj<> endobj 40 0 obj<> endobj 41 0 obj<> endobj 42 0 obj<> endobj 43 0 obj<> endobj 44 0 obj<> endobj 45 0 obj<> endobj 46 0 obj<>stream The most common types of informative speeches are definition, explanation, description, and demonstration. Henry shifts tone in the beginning of this paragraph to irony, the use of language that conveys the opposite of the intended meaning. Find an example of asyndeton in this paragraph. But, another reason is that poetry has a bevy of tools in its arsenal. 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. If I were forced to write out exactly what Armstrong meant with his quote, it would be something like this. When its cold outside, Ive got the month of May. An example Henry uses relating King George's bane characteristics was to Judas in the Bible. 34. -To restate: "Gentlemen may cry, Peace, Peace but there is no peace." Each month, our Buckley School resident students of classical rhetoric explain a rhetorical device that can improve your public speaking. The foot of the throne (sentence 41) is metonomy, representing the King. He states in sentence 44, If we wish to be free [then] we must fight! He appeals to ethos in sentence 53 by saying we are not weak if we make a proper use of those means which the God of nature hath placed in our power. In sentence 54 he appeals to Logos and pathos by citing three millions of people (logos) armed in the holy cause of liberty (pathos), and in such a country as that which we possess (pathos, patriotism).. Countless quotes and sayings rely on it for effect. Who does Henry believe represents Judas and how does this allusion as a metaphor contribute to Henrys argument? Hence, whereas antithesis is always about contrast and difference, juxtaposition can be about difference, but it can also be about similarities. "But when shall we be stronger? (71) What is it that gentlemen wish? Henry uses this allusion in where the colonies are Christ, and the British ministry is the equivalent of Judas. He wants the listeners to understand that there are only two options; freedom, which he is advocating, or slavery, which he knows these proud, wealthy men, many of whom are slaveholders, will not tolerate. Metonomy and synecdoche are special types of metaphors. Patrick Henry was born May 29, 1736, he lived his life defending people who couldn't defend themselves and became a attorney. (46) An appeal to arms and to the God of Hosts is all that is left us! (56) There is a just God who presides over the destinies of nations; and who will raise up friends to fight our battles for us. In sentences 70 through 73, Henry uses a series of questions which directly challenge his fellow delegates. He means there is no choice but to fight. In brightest day, in blackest night. As a result, in addition to referring to a literary device, antithesis also means that something is the opposite of something else. 26. (The mention of Boston most probably refers to the Intolerable Acts and their enforcement.). (39) Sir, we have done everything that could be done, to avert the storm which is now coming on. Summarizing why a speaker (or writer) might choose to use antithesis, LitCharts writes it can: Well add that antithesis makes a point memorableand quotableas weve seen recently with the line "When they go low, we go high" and in the not-so-distant past with Neil Armstrongs "one small step for a man, one giant leap for mankind.". (61) Our chains are forged! Henry completely rejects the possibility of reconciliation with Britain. Henry's feet are guided by one lamp and that is the lamp of experience. According to Henry, which will his argument contain and which will it NOT contain? (35) We have held the subject up in every light of which it is capable; but it has been all in vain. (65) It is in vain, sir, to extenuate the matter. Their clanking may be heard on the plains of Boston! He challenges his audience with the fact that they are already enslaved and implies that they must themselves remove the chains. Tyrannical hands of the ministry and Parliament (sentence 40) is synecdoche, representing the British government. Why does he make this connection? This is intended to arouse the audience by saying that they will be enslaved. (16) Is it that insidious smile with which our petition has been lately received? 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). It attempts to win over listeners on the basis of the trustworthiness of the speaker. 0000004997 00000 n The story of the sirens, is that on an island, women would sing songs that would cause men to see them as beautiful women and go to them. He appeals to ethos in sentence 53 by saying "we are not weak if we make a proper use of those means which the God of nature hath placed in our power." The Narratio contextualizes the argument, including presenting any background information necessary, while the Confirmatio lays out in order the evidence to support the thesis. One example of emotional appeal is when Henry says "Our chains are forged". While there had been unrest and resistance in Massachusetts with scattered acts of support from other areas, no organized movement toward revolution existed across the Colonies. Patrick Henry refers to the other men as "gentlemen" as a term of respect. Each month, our Buckley School resident students of classical rhetoric explain a rhetorical device that can improve your public speaking. A hypophora is useful to present to an audience issues they may not have considered in depth. Forbid it"(73-74). For each of your examples explain how they are intended to arouse Henrys audience. You may choose words, phrases, imagery, or other language elements. Accessed 4 Mar. Henry states that the privileges of the people will be taken away. (3). xref Consider "petition" (to bring written grievances) versus "remonstrate" (to forcefully protest) versus "supplicate" (to beg earnestly or humbly) versus "prostrate" (to totally submit) versus "implore" (to beg desperately). Red Hill, The Patrick Henry National Memorial, Brookneal, Virginia. The Convention members consider themselves to be men of integrity and ethics, as Henry acknowledged in sentence 1. 29. In sentence 58, what does Henry mean by we have no election? Henry uses parallelism (structuring phrases in similar fashion) several times in this paragraph. Solace is comfort during a time of distress. Its me, Marcel. Henry uses this term again to show and explain how the people cannot dream or imagine hope being so easy to obtain. Rather than the word of God, which is the lamp found in the Biblical verse, what is the lamp that Henry uses to guide his feet in sentence 13? Henry uses this phrase because he wants to establish to his audience the great importance of acting upon the constraints and unjust of the British. 40. Find at least one example of hypophora in this paragraph and explain its contribution to Henry's argument. Find an example of Henrys return to an image of slavery at the end of this paragraph. This stark choice is designed to make Henry's audience realize just what is at stake. "There is no longer any room for hope. In sentence 7 Henry argues on the basis of "ethos," which is Greek for "character." This speech was recreated in 1817 by William Wirt of Maryland, who published the first biography of Patrick Henry. To be or not to be, that is the question. Our online magazine with tips, news, and instruction for you. (36) Shall we resort to entreaty and humble supplication? Resenting this British interference with local government, the members of the House of Burgesses regrouped as a state convention. What allusion does Henry use in sentence 9 when he says "listen to the song of that siren till she transforms us into beasts?" 0000006808 00000 n MR. Henry uses the term "ceremony" to stress the importance of not trying to just placate the situation, but deal with the truth. The rhetorical parenthesis is peace and reconciliation. Americans began to greatly support his political ideology. I am the proud owner of linguaholic.com. When Henry uses solace, he says "And judging by the past, I wish to know what there has been in the conduct of the British Ministry for the last ten years to justify those hopes with which gentlemen have been pleased to solace themselves and the house." The main function of antithesis in a speech is to give emphasis to an idea by placing it next to a contrasting idea. How, in this sentence, does Henry suggest that his listeners can trust him? For instance, you can say that the antithesis of love isnt hate; its indifference.. 21. In fact, they are so iconic that Im sure you have watched the footage or have heard the recording of Armstrong first uttering these words. His purpose of including it is that people will understand what the phrase is. Will it be when we are totally disarmed, and when a British guard shall be stationed in every house?". Why did he use this term again? During the age of reason, people believed in logic and appealed more to statistics and reason rather than ethics or emotion. It's not a show, friends; it's show business. Henry's use of "Peace, Peace--but there is no peace" is a biblical allusion meant to force the audience to agree that the English are beginning a war where there will never be peace" (66). He inserts appeals to ethos, logos, and pathos. xb```"Veah`0-:ov;gatI\$KID)n'*,2DUHCxbKZKbA%>H2Xf`XKt|yN*0cn{ Y@ 0 What is the counterclaim to Patrick Henry's Speech to the Virginia Convention? Henry displays an idea that the American people should fight back against the British. When you juxtapose two things, you place them next to each other to highlight either their similarities or their differences. This hypophora explains how the people cannot dream or enjoy hope, without ever experiencing it or having to fight for it. In paragraph 4 Henry uses procatalepsis, an argumentative strategy that anticipates an objection and then answers it. (60) There is no retreat but in submission and slavery! The students version, an interactive PDF, contains all of the aboveexceptthe responses to the close reading questions and the follow-up assignment. The speech was so inspiring that it ignited a massive flame of patriotism. They feed, they move around, and some of them can think depending on which movie you are watching. For one thing, poets tend to reveal personal parts of themselves, the parts that are usually hidden in everyday interactions yet are always lurking beneath the surface.

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