Patrick Henry – Give me liberty or Give me death”
Notes (Prezi)
Summary: Patrick Henry is addressing the Virginia Convention, specifically
President___________________, on March ___ , ____. He is introducing his views on what action to
take in regards to the conflict with Britain. The other members want peace, but Henry want to prepare
for _____ if Britain does not meet the colonists demands.
Paragraph 1:
1.
2.
3.
4.
Patrick Henry emphasizes:
HOWEVER, he has a different view on:
Audience: what viewpoint is he showing them?
“Different men often see the same subject in different lights” (Henry 1). With whom is his view
aligned?
5. ETHOS: Henry builds ethos by expressing a religious passion. HOW? Explain.
6. He uses the rhetorical device allusion to reference to history. Explain.
7. How does he end the paragraph? Cite diction examples of the last sentence to explain your
answer.
Paragraph 2:
1. Why does Henry begin this paragraph using the word illusion?
2. Explain the quote, “Listen to the song that siren (alludes to the Odyssey) till she transforms us
into beast” (Henry 2) in regards to false hope.
3. What quote alludes to the bible verse of Ezekiel 12:2 saying that those who cannot see and hear
the truth about God and their spiritual salvation?
4. How does this relate to the colonists?
Paragraph 3:
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
Paragraphs 3 builds _____(which of the 3 appeals)?
From whom is he trying to build the trust?
The first sentence is a metaphor. What 2 things are being compared?
Explain why this rhetorical device is effective.
“Insidious (sly )smile” refers to whom?
Of which appeal does this diction apply?
“Suffer not yourselves to be betrayed by a kiss” is an allusion. Explain and connect.
Paragraph 4
1. What does Henry appeal to in this paragraph – pathos, ethos, logos.
2. What image do words like “cover” and “darken” create?
3. This is an example of parallelism because the structure repeats the same point : “They are
meant for us; they can be meant for no other” (Henry, 4). WHAT is the point he is making?
4. Give 2 examples of imagery in paragraph 4 regarding chains and slavery.
Paragraph 5: OPPOSING ARGUMENT
1. Henry uses rhetorical questions to disprove the opposing viewpoints. To which of the 3 appeals
do the questions establish?
2. How does he refute the questions?
3. Use of “ourselves” and “we” create (which appeal) _________ with the _____________.
Paragraph 6- beginning “We have petitioned…”
1. What is the only remaining option according to Henry?
2. Henry lists from least significance to most significant in the first sentence. What does he show
in this order?
3. False hope is again mentioned. Cite the quotes and explain its effect at this part of his speech.
Paragraph 7
1.Henry uses exclamatory sentences in this paragraph. What is the tone of these sentences?
Paragraph 8-“They tell us that we are weak…”
1. Why is the first sentence an opposing viewpoint?
2. “hugging the delusive phantom of hope” – what is the imagery?
Paragraph 9: “Sir, we are not weak…”
1. How does Henry refute the idea that the colonies are weak?
2. Why does he mention Boston at this particular moment of his speech?
Paragraph 10
1. Explain the metaphor in this paragraph.
2. “But as for me, give me liberty or give me death! (Henry, 10). This is an example of parallel
structure of what two subjects?