Question

Read the excerpt from Patrick Henry’s speech “Give Me Liberty or Give Me Death.” What is the main rhetorical device used in the excerpt?

I know of no way of judging of the future but by the past. And judging by the past, I wish to know what there has been in the conduct of the British ministry for the last ten years to justify those hopes with which gentlemen have been pleased to solace themselves and the House.

(1 point)
Responses

analogy
analogy

rhetorical question
rhetorical question

juxtaposition
juxtaposition

hyperbole

Answer 1

The main rhetorical device used in the excerpt is **rhetorical question**. Patrick Henry is posing a question that suggests there is no justification for hope based on past actions, prompting his audience to reflect on the situation without expecting an actual answer.