Excerpt from Patrick Henry's Speech ~ RI.4, RI.6

What is the meaning of the word formidable as it is used in paragraph 1 of the passage from the speech?

• large and powerful

• mean and rude

• aggressive

• not worthy of one’s time

Answer explanation

Let's look at the context clues in paragraph 1; 1) "...unable to cope with so formidable an adversary," 2) "...when shall we be stronger?"

What type of figurative language does Henry use in the following lines: “Shall we acquire the means of effectual resistance by lying supinely on our backs and hugging the delusive phantom of hope…”

• sarcasm

• direct speech

• simile

• declarative statement

Answer explanation

“Shall we acquire the means of effectual resistance by lying supinely on our backs and hugging the delusive phantom of hope…” 1) We can understand that one cannot acquire any means by "lying supinely," and 2) one cannot "hug" the "phantom of hope."

Henry asks his audience a series of questions. Which of the following reflects Henry’s desire for the colonial people to be:

• weak and docile

• angry and revolutionary

• strong but passive

• brave and stoic

Answer explanation

Answer choice "angry and revolutionary," emphasizes that Henry is calling his listeners to action to take a stand.

Determine the type of imagery which is used in the following quote: “Is life so dear, or peace so sweet, as to be purchased at the price of chains and slavery?”

• simile

• metaphor

• onomatopoeia

• assonance

Answer explanation

“Is life so dear, or peace so sweet, as to be purchased at the price of chains and slavery?” is comparing life as a purchasable object to be bought with slavery.

Henry’s closing line changes from a series of questions to emphatic exclamation marks: “Forbid it, Almighty God! I know not what course others may take; but as for me, give me liberty or give me death!” What TWO effects does this create?

• he realizes the questioning in his speech has no effect on his audience

• he stops questioning the people and emphatically demands that his answer is death over the slavery to the British people

• his emotions are irrationally changing showing that he is really just crazy

• the exclamations highlight how angry he is getting by the end of his speech

• the audience must have begun to walk away and it made him angry

Answer explanation

1) "he stops questioning the people and emphatically demands that his answer is death over the slavery to the British people." This answer choice lets us know that "give me liberty or give me death" is a serious statement which is worth defeating the British over.

2) "the exclamations highlight how angry he is getting by the end of his speech." The tone gets stronger and stronger

throughout the speech, and this answer choice points this out.

What rhetorical device does Henry use in the following quote: “There is not regret but in submission and slavery! Our chains are forged! Their clanking may be heard on the plains of Boston!”

• metaphor and hyperbole

• hyperbole and personification

• metaphor and simile

• hyperbole only

Answer explanation

"There is not regret but in submission and slavery! Our chains are forged! Their clanking may be heard on the plains of Boston!”"

The metaphor is the comparison of refusing to submit to the figurative chains of slavery. The hyperbole is the sound of their refusing to submit (clanking of the chains) being carried all the way to Boston.

What TWO primary tones are established by Patrick Henry’s speech?

• anger

• sadness

• regret

• joy

• passion

Answer explanation

1) Anger is primarily established by the British's treatment of the people as Henry is 2) passionately encouraging the listeners to take a stand.

Refer to your rhetorical analysis definitions on your sheet; Patrick Henry’s argument can best be described as_______.

• Ethos

• Pathos

• Logos

• Rhetorical Question

Answer explanation

Pathos is the correct answer because Henry's primary purpose is to incite emotion-anger and action-in this speech.

Which type of rhetorical device does Patrick Henry use in the following quote?

“Shall we gather strength by irresolution and inaction?”

• rhetorical questions

• rhetorical answers

• verbal irony

• Amplification

Answer explanation

“Shall we gather strength by irresolution and inaction?” is a question Henry does not expect the listeners to verbally answer, but to think about.