Patrick Henry Speech

The first thing noticed when reading this passage is the urgency. From what Patrick Henry is saying, the war is "actually begun," and our "brethren are already in the field," making listeners feel like they are abandoning their country. Even further, he says that listeners are standing "here idle." He is asking primarily what people are waiting for, and then implying that being idel is a sin by commanding God to "forbid it." This ties in to "puritan hangover," which states that idle hands are the devil's workshop. The pathos of feeling left behind is combined with strong language, such as peace being paid for with "chains and slavery" and God being told to stop it. Rather than saying that people are already fighting, he says "brethren," implying that the people fighting are not just random people: they are part of OUR country, a country we have a right to have. He also repeats multiple times that "peace" is asked for, but not possible without seeling your soul for slavery. He puts the "gentlemen" in a different group than the audience and himself, asking what "gentlemen wish," but not asking specifically what the audience wishes. Furthermore, he puts the audience between his argument and the "idle" ones', urging them to make a decision. Perhaps the most powerful thing is the parallel structure/repetition. Right after saying, "the war is actually begun," he rephrases it, saying that soon they will hear "the clash of resounding arms," and that other people are "already in the field." He also asks what the gentlemen wish followed by, "what would they have?" His last line, the most famous of all, is the perfect parallel structure: "give me liberty or give me death!" Not only does this echo in your mind, it is also shocking, and expresses his utter disgust with purchasing peace.