Give Me Liberty, or Give Me Death

“For my own part I consider it as nothing less than a question of freedom or slavery; and in proportion to the magnitude of the subject ought to be the freedom of the debate.”

Henry details a direct contrast between what he terms slavery and freedom. This juxtaposition highlights the significance of the decision facing the colonies, as “slavery” implies not merely curtailed liberty but the complete absence of it, alongside degradation. Henry also establishes these stakes to justify the outspoken argument to come.

“It is only in this way that we can hope to arrive at truth, and fulfill the great responsibility which we hold to God and our country. Should I keep back my opinions at such a time, through fear of giving offense, I should consider myself as guilty of treason toward my country, and of an act of disloyalty toward the majesty of heaven, which I revere above all earthly kings.”

Henry alludes to God when he references “the majesty of heaven.” This device highlights that Henry believes his duty is first to God, whom he suggests it is more important to obey and respect than King George III, and lays the groundwork for the speech’s argument about Divine Providence.

“We are apt to shut our eyes against a painful truth, and listen to the song of that siren, till she transforms us into beasts.”

Henry alludes to Greek mythology with references to the sirens—supernatural creatures whose singing lured sailors to wreck their ships—and to the goddess Circe’s transformation of men into animals in the Odyssey. Henry’s audience would have been familiar with classical mythology, so this allusion increases the audience’s emotional connection with his words.

“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 alludes to Ezekiel 12:2 in the Bible: “Son of man, you are living in a rebellious house. They have eyes to see but do not see, and ears to hear but do not hear, for they are a rebellious house.” Henry’s listeners would understand the reference and likely wish to avoid similarities to the people in Ezekiel 12:2, who were “rebellious” against God himself. The reference develops Henry’s argument about the spiritual significance of the colonies’ struggle and thus strengthens Henry’s call to action.

“I have but one lamp by which my feet are guided; and that is the lamp of experience.”

Henry uses a metaphor to compare experience to a lamp. Much like a lamp lights the dark and makes the surrounding elements visible, Henry’s past experience with the British allows him to see what the future under their rule might look like.

“Suffer not yourselves to be betrayed with a kiss.” 

Because his audience was well versed in the Bible, Henry uses religious allusions to create an emotional effect. This phrase recalls Judas’s betrayal of Jesus—the height of treachery, in Christian teaching, and therefore a powerful image to associate with Britain.

“Ask yourselves how this gracious reception of our petition comports with these warlike preparations which cover our waters and darken our land. Are fleets and armies necessary to a work of love and reconciliation? Have we shown ourselves so unwilling to be reconciled, that force must be called in to win back our love? Let us not deceive ourselves, sir.”

The premise of Henry’s rhetorical questions is so unlikely that the answers should be obvious. Fleets and armies suggest anything but love and reconciliation, nudging the audience toward drawing the same conclusion that Henry already has. The obviousness of the implied answer also suggests that anyone who does not arrive at it is not merely mistaken but purposefully fooling themself—something listeners presumably wish to avoid.

“Has Great Britain any enemy, in this quarter of the world, to call for all this accumulation of navies and armies? No, sir, she has none. They are meant for us; they can be meant for no other [...] And what have we to oppose to them? Shall we try argument? Sir, we have been trying that for the last ten years.”

Henry uses hypophora, which is a type of rhetorical question. He answers his own questions as the audience might, addressing himself as “sir.” This technique gives Henry authority and portrays him as knowledgeable about the subject.

“Besides, sir, we shall not fight our battles alone. There is a just God who presides over the destinies of nations; and who will raise up friends to fight our battles for us.”

Henry appeals to his audience’s emotions and religious beliefs in these lines. He argues that the colonies have an omnipotent God on their side who will guarantee their success.

“Sir, we have done everything that could be done, to avert the storm which is now coming on.”

These lines employ another metaphor, comparing the colonies’ current reality with the development of an unstoppable storm. Henry also uses the pronoun “we” as an appeal to unity amongst the colonies. Together, these techniques serve as a call to action.

“We have petitioned; we have remonstrated; we have supplicated; we have prostrated ourselves before the throne, and have implored its interposition to arrest the tyrannical hands of the ministry and Parliament. Our petitions have been slighted; our remonstrances have produced additional violence and insult; our supplications have been disregarded; and we have been spurned, with contempt, from the foot of the throne.”

Henry makes use of parallelism and anaphora to further his point that Great Britain is ignoring the colonists’ concerns: The accumulation of grievances across multiple phrases emphasizes the extent of Britain’s misrule and therefore aids in Justifying Revolution. The repetition also involves the frequent restatement of “we” and “our,” which unifies the convention as a collective body.

“But when shall we be stronger? Will it be the next week, or the next year? Will it be when we are totally disarmed and when a British guard shall be stationed in every house?”

Henry again uses rhetorical questions to further his argument. Each question that he asks builds upon the previous question, so this rhetorical strategy is meant to sway the audience’s opinions. More specifically, Henry implies that the colonies will never be stronger than they are now, stoking fears that Britain might take steps to weaken them.

“There is no retreat, but in submission and slavery! Our chains are forged! Their clanking may be heard on the plains of Boston!”

The reference to “chains” furthers the enslavement metaphor, and Henry’s urgent tone is captured in the use of an exclamation point. The phrase “Their clanking may be heard on the plains of Boston” indicates that the plight of the colonies is obvious. The mention of Boston is also significant because the harbor was the site of importing and exporting goods to Britain and the place where tensions with the British had escalated most.