Rhetorical Devices In The First Oration With Catilia

After the French and Indian war, the British monarch decided to tax the colonies to pay off the debts from the recent war. Taxes were placed on nearly everything the colonists needed or could sell. This angered the colonists, thus tensions were rapidly rising between the colonists and the British monarch. Many considered the concept of independence a radical idea and very dangerous. Others were tired of being taken advantage of the British. A man by the name of Patrick Henry believed it was time to fight for independence. He further expressed his thoughts through a speech given at the Virginia Provincial Convention. This speech was similar to another speech written by a man called Marcus Cicero, in the way it used rhetorical elements to†¦show more content†¦In this case Henry is asking the colonists to ask themselves what they want, and if they would want to live life at the expense of their freedom. He’s trying to get the colonists to understand the difference betwee n liberty and freedom. Liberty is fought for and is a cause for freedom. Liberty also, is being allowed to do something. Freedom is to be rid of being under the control of something or something. We are free to speak, bear arms and to choose our religion, as a result of the Bill of Rights that was later written. The principles and rights listed in the Bill of Rights were ideas that Henry was trying to get the colonists to fight for. Henry is able to effectively cause the colonists take into account that he is asking the colonists to fight for freedom from the British monarchy and government. Another example would be in the second paragraph of his speech. â€Å"Is this the part of the wise men, engaged in a great and arduous struggle for liberty? 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?† (Henry 102). Here Henry is asking if the colonists are willing to fight in a possibly long and difficult battle for their worldly freedom from a higher authority. He wants the colonists to think about their actions and if they are going to stand to the side and let the British government take away their rights. In this way he is able to get