Give Me Liberty, or Give Me Death

Patrick Henry uses numerous rhetorical devices to persuade the audience of his opinion. How does Henry use devices such as repetition and imagery to persuade his audience?

Patrick Henry’s address is one of the earliest memorable speeches in American history. How do Patrick Henry’s speech and his persuasive techniques compare to other notable speeches from American history?

How does Patrick Henry’s invocation of religion underscore his argument?

How does Henry characterize Britain? Why does he focus in particular on George III?

How does Patrick Henry’s speech compare to other revolutionary documents, such as Thomas Paine’s pamphlet Common Sense or the Declaration of Independence?

What does Henry mean by “slavery”? How does this compare to the reality of enslavement in the American colonies and later the United States?

How does Patrick Henry’s speech depict political leadership? What responsibility does he suggest leaders have to act in the best interest of their constituents?

How does the idea of unity manifest in Henry’s speech, and how does that reflect the political goals of the American Revolution?