Neo-Aristotelian AnalysisKrista BornmanAn evaluation of Winston Churchill’s “Be Ye Men of Valour” speech on May 19, 1940.

November 30, 2012Comm 420

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ContentsIntroduction...................................................3

Significance...................................................3

Kairos.........................................................5

Analysis.......................................................9

Invention.....................................................9

Arrangement..................................................11

Style........................................................12

Delivery.....................................................14

Memory.......................................................15

Evaluation....................................................15

Reference List................................................17

Appendices....................................................18

Speech Text..................................................18

Handout......................................................21

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Neo-Aristotelian Analysis:Winston Churchill’s “Be Ye Men of Valour”

Introduction

Winston Churchill was more than a British prime minister, more than a hero of World War Two,

more than a continued inspiration for his country; he was also a brilliant wordsmith. “Be Ye

Men of Valour,” his first speech as prime minister to the British nation, continues to be an

example of his command of language and his ability to motivate his audience. In their time of

greatest distress, the British people looked to Churchill for honesty, comfort, and

empowerment, which he effectively provided through his speeches and his example. “Be Ye

Men of Valour” was significant not only for encouraging 1940’s Great Britain but also for

modeling powerful rhetoric for current speech writers, exemplifying Churchill’s comprehension

of Kairos and the canons of rhetoric.

Significance

Winston Churchill remains one of the most well-known prime ministers for his success during

World War Two and his influence on the British people and the world. “Be Ye Men of Valour”

was radio broadcasted days after Germany broke through French defenses to overtake Holland

– a near catastrophe for the Allied forces. British citizens, in the grip of fear and desperation,

looked to their newly elected Prime Minister for consolation. Churchill rose to the occasion.

“Be Ye Men of Valor” was a motivating, deliberative speech for the citizens left behind listening

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to the war unfold before them. Churchill wanted not only to reassure the people that they

were in good hands but also to request their help in the war effort. He honored the strength

and bravery of the British soldiers, praised the loyalty of their ally France, and pointed out the

ways in which Germany was failing in their attack. Churchill also called the British civilians to

action asking them to help the war effort by joining the army, increasing production of war

goods, and supporting their soldiers. In response, the nation became the men of valour

Churchill requested.

Winston’s Churchill speech was meant to stir a nation not to joy or peace but to grit their teeth

and get to work. The British proved a resilient and steadfast nation as they endured the

constant bombing of the 1940’s (See…Timeline). They upped their factory production to keep

the British Army supplied (2012). Time and again they looked to their Prime Minister for

inspiration, and he answered not only with speeches but also personal example. Churchill

refused to leave London during the Blitz and went days with little food or sleep to plan and

strategize (The Churchill Centre, 2009). He was a symbol of strength and determination to his

nation.

Based on the response of the people and the ever-increasing radio audience (The Churchill

Centre, 2009), Winston Churchill’s addresses had an obvious impact at the time of delivery.

Even now, his speeches remain significant in terms of what can be learned from dissecting

them. From motifs to sentence structure, Churchill knew how to captivate and motivate his

audience with his words alone.

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The manner in which Churchill wrote his speeches should still be studied and imitated today.

He reached the British nation at their time of greatest need with speeches that built patriotism

in the hearts of citizens who waited by their radios for his voice. By analyzing his sentences as

individuals and his themes as a whole, students and statesmen alike can enhance their writing

and presenting skills.

Considering context, Winston Churchill faced one of the most difficult tasks in speech-giving

history, but from the worst times come the best speeches. “Be Ye Men of Valor” began as an

informative speech on the state of the war and a plea for help from the people, but it became

an inspiration to all of Britain. Churchill’s ability with his language is one that deserves study

and imitation. A speech modeled after one of his would flow with grace and elegance, build

suspense, and stir emotion in the listeners. He left behind a legacy that still inspires the British

people to loyalty and pride and gains the respect of his continued audience.

Kairos

Rhetoric discusses issues that are always changing with society and environment. A good rhetor

must always be prepared for when the right place, the right issue, and the right audience all

converge upon a single moment, this moment of convergence that is called kairos (Crowley,

2012, p. 38). The background of each of these components – the rhetor, the situation, and the

audience – influence kairos and affect the context surrounding the speech. The rhetor’s speech

is shaped by his own beliefs and values, his experiences, his understanding of the issue at hand,

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and his consideration of community beliefs and history of his audience (p. 41). Winston

Churchill was confronted with an overwhelming issue and a desperate audience, but he was

just the rhetor for the situation.

Before serving twice as Prime Minister of Britain, Churchill had long been involved with the

nation’s politics. According to his biography on The Churchill Centre webpage (2009), he served

his country as a Parliament member, House of Commons statesman, First Lord of the Admiralty,

Minister of Munitions, and Chancellor of Exchequer. Britain was quite familiar with not only his

political capabilities in a variety of areas but also with his heroics in battle. He served in Great

Britain, India, the Sudan, and in the First World War on the Western Front; young Churchill

received numerous medals and inductions into orders (The Churchill Centre, 2009). His time in

the military inspired Churchill to write books about his campaigns, which gained him fame as an

author and war correspondent. Britain knew his history and so called upon him in their time of

greatest need to guide them through World War II. Winston Churchill was Prime Minister

during the war from May 10, 1940 to July 26, 1945 and again from October 26, 1951 to April 7,

1955 (2009).

In addition to his long history serving Great Britain, Churchill had the beliefs and personality

necessary to lead his people to victory. He looked on the war with the view that Britain would

never accept defeat, never surrender, and never consider a compromise with the evil forces of

the Nazis. Churchill reflects this in the famous statement he made after the successful

evacuation of Dunkirk: “we shall fight on the beaches, we shall fight on the landing grounds, we

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shall fight in the fields and in the streets, we shall fight in the hills; we shall never surrender…”

(Churchill, 1940). He inspired people with his personality – passionate, determined, optimistic,

imperturbable (The Churchill Centre, 2009) – and his speeches. His radio broadcasts kept the

nation aware of the latest happenings in the battle and encouraged them to never give up, to

keep fighting. His speeches were built upon his understanding of rhetoric represented in his

early essay, The Scaffolding of Rhetoric: “rhetorical power is neither wholly bestowed, nor

wholly acquired, but cultivated” (Churchill, 1897). Churchill proved the perfect example of

cultivating himself to lead a nation via rhetoric. In fact, Lyndall Urwick (1965) wrote, “Churchill

ennobled it [the common speech] to the occasion. […] It was a new language, a style exquisitely

adapted to its purpose and developed for that purpose.”

When Winston Churchill became Prime Minister, it was during one the worst times in British

history. Because Hitler invaded Poland, Great Britain, along with their French allies, declared

war on Germany on September 3, 1939, and the war ravaged on for six years (Robinson, 2011).

Churchill became the prime minister shortly after on May 10, 1940 and accepted the

responsibility of leading the nation through one of the greatest battles between good and evil,

a battle that he was resolved to win. His first address to the British public – the speech entitled

“Be Ye Men of Valour” – was delivered five days after France had been invaded on May 19,

1940, a battle that would eventually lead to the Fall of France on June 25, 1940 (2011). This

breach of French defenses was the first time the battle would take place on Allied territory, and

British people were afraid that France was not a strong ally and that soon the fighting would

take place on their own soil (Best, 2011). Many wanted to give up Czechoslovakia and end the

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war there, but Churchill rallied the people and refused to compromise (2011). Even though

everything was against him, both the Nazi forces and the British morale, Churchill had great

command of the situation’s kairos; he referred to his role as Prime Minister as “his ‘walk with

destiny’ – a destiny for which he had spent his life in preparation” (Cleary, 2011).

Churchill had captivated his audience. He was popular and well respected before the war and

endearing and consistent during the war. The British people felt familiar with him, referring to

him by first name or even the nickname ‘Winnie’ (Best, 2011). He branded himself by dressing

distinctively in old-fashioned pinstripe suites and bow ties, and he constantly smoked a cigar

(2011). His reaffirming consistency must have been a relief to Britain in a time when so much

was unknown and out of control. By the end of the war, Great Britain had lost 449,800 lives –

67,100 of those deaths being civilian losses, most of who were killed during The Blitzkrieg

bombings on London (White, 2011). This kind of trauma, especially for those who had

experienced World War I and were now watching their children face yet another war, would

have been overwhelming, but the British Royal Forces needed a nation of civilians to support

them. The task fell to Churchill to calm the people and call them to action. And they answered

his call. The resilient British survived on rations, collected scrap metal, ran factories, and helped

in hospitals (War effort, 2012). Their production levels in 1940 doubled from the year before

and steadily increased until the end of the war five years later (2012). They became the home

army Churchill needed.

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Analysis

The five canons of rhetoric instituted by Aristotle can be applied to “Be Ye Men of Valour” to

show further evidence of Churchill’s strong grasp of language and why his speech was able to

effectively persuade his audience.

Invention

In the introduction of his speech, Churchill establishes his ethos – although, due to his previous

involvement in the government and military, this serves more as a reminder of his situated

ethos. He opens saying, “I speak to you for the first time as Prime Minister…” (“Be Ye Men of

Valour,” 1940) which confirms his authority but also allows for an element of humility by noting

that this is his first address. He is also quick to display goodwill by going on in that first

sentence to say that he speaks “for the life of our country, of our empire, of our allies, and,

above all, of the cause of Freedom.” Not only does this create goodwill, but it also uses pathos

to invoke feelings of patriotism, loyalty, and freedom in his audience. In the same breath, he

also addresses one of his main logos themes: loyalty to the Allies. After the first paragraph,

there is no need for any further mention of Churchill’s well-known ethos, and so he uses

pathos, logos, and extrinsic proofs to reach his audience.

Throughout the narrative, the Prime Minister stirs the British people’s patriotism and national

pride, their sense of duty and honor, and their love of freedom for themselves and others. He

uses honorific language when referring to the “magnificent efforts of the Royal Air Force” and

the British Army’s “dogged endurance and solid fighting power.” When he is later addressing

the inevitable battle on British soil, he focuses significantly on patriotism and pride to rally the

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audience to defend their homeland. He asks them to protect “all that Britain is, and all that

Britain means.” Churchill knows these emotions are needed to persuade his audience, because

what he is asking of them is not easy.

“Be Ye Men of Valour” casts the British people as the defenders of freedom and hope. Near the

end of the radio broadcast, Churchill begins listing all of the people who are counting on Britain

and France to save them from “the long night of barbarism [that] will descend, unbroken by

even a star of hope.” He then uses deduction and moves from this broad view of a nightmare

in Europe to a specific event of winning the battle, and he reconfirms “conquer we shall.” The

Prime Minister leaves no room for doubt that the Allies will be victorious. However, he does

make it clear that the war will become much more personal and close to home. He also uses

examples from past battles to prove that the Allies will ultimately win the war. When he talks

about the Royal Air Force overcoming impossible odds to beat the enemy planes and gain the

advantage, it is to exemplify his claim that Britain cannot possibly lose World War Two.

Another example is the fate that befell Holland show what will likely happen to Britain as well.

Churchill constantly reassures his listeners, though, that “it would be still more foolish to lose

heart or courage.”

Churchill does not make many allusions to outside sources, likely because the British people

should be able to count on him as their primary source, not an intermediary. However, besides

recounting the events of the war as data, he does make mention of the other authoritative

testimony. He reconfirms the alliance with France by mentioning the pledge he received from

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their prime minister, Paul Reynaud. In the next paragraph, Churchill uses King George VI’s

approval of his plans to convince the audience that he is making the best choices for them. His

closing statement, from which the title is derived, is actually a quote from the Biblical

Apocrypha book First Maccabees.

Churchill applies the four methods of invention – ethos, pathos, logo, and extrinsic proof – in

“Be Ye Men of Valour” to persuade his audience to answer his call to action. To convince the

British people to join the army, increase production, and support the troops, the Prime Minister

employs the artistic and inartistic proofs in the manner that will be most convincing.

Arrangement

The case presented in the beginning, or exordium, of “Be Ye Men of Valour” may be considered

ambiguous for the issue is honorable but difficult (Crowely, 2012, p.225) in the sense that it

requires sacrifice from the audience, for they are being asked to be willing to give their lives for

their country. To remove their doubt, Churchill makes use of pathetic appeal to motivate them

through patriotic loyalty.

The narrative that Churchill moves into is generally one of values. He reinforces the necessary

qualities needed to move forward in the war effort, and he creates them in the audience

through his use of pathos. At some points, the argument seems like a procedural narrative,

especially when he is encouraging the citizens to increase war production. Throughout the

speech, Churchill’s narrative reflects the British nation’s point of view.

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Churchill occasionally refutes his main argument, which is that the Allies must win the war, but

whenever he does, he immediately negates the refutation with a confirmation. When he says,

“It would be foolish, however, to disguise the gravity of the hour,” he immediately follows it

with the reassurance that:

It would be still more foolish to lose heart and courage or to suppose that well-

trained, well-equipped armies numbering three or four millions of men can be

overcome in space of a few weeks, or even months, by a scoop, or raid of

mechanized vehicles, however formidable.

Any statement that might bring doubt to the listener is immediately overpowered by a much

more convincing and elaborate statement that is sure to stick in their mind instead.

In the peroration, or conclusion, Churchill follows Cicero’s recommendations to summarize,

excite indignation, and arouse pity (Crowley, 2012, p. 241). He restates his main thesis, “to

wage war until victory is won, and never to surrender.” He declares Nazi forces as “the foulest

and most soul-destroying tyranny which has ever darkened and stained the pages of history.”

And finally, he reminds Britain of all the countries that have been ravaged and are counting on

the Allies to avenge them. Although he does not arouse the pity for himself, because he is a

steadfast rock for nation, Churchill does stimulate those feelings to create a passionate

audience.

Style

Of the four qualities that constitute style, Churchill is probably most obvious in his excellence at

ornament. The others are achieved more subtly; however, if they were not so well handled,

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the lack of style would be evident. His language is correct, both in terms of grammar and

pronunciation. Correct pronunciation is an unrecognized accomplishment for Churchill as he

was known to stutter as a child (The Churchill Centre, 2009).

“Be Ye Men of Valour” was broadcasted across the nation to British citizens of all levels of

education and understanding. To be sure that his message was comprehended by all listeners,

Churchill had to write his speech with clarity and elegant simplicity. The trick was to display

himself as well-spoken, knowledgeable, and capable while still being easily understood. He

makes his points clear by writing in such a way as to make the characters the subjects and the

actions as the verbs. It seems a simple concept, but this tends to be the main issue when

writing is unclear.

Churchill’s understanding of kairos is also employed in his use of appropriateness in style. The

situation was despairing and mournful, so he handled it delicately. He did not debase it by

using the situation to his own advantage for enhancing his ethos. Churchill instead found the

appropriate way to give the nation what they need and request what he needed from them.

His was neither incomprehensibly grand nor gracelessly plain; he used the middle style to make

the speech accessible by everyone.

His speeches are ornate in the way that they are written. His themes were carefully chosen to

reflect what the nation needed each time he addressed them, information, persuasion, and/or

motivation. Churchill was able to carry motifs through from one speech to the next,

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maintaining a comforting consistency for his war-ravaged nation. The individual sentences are

masterpieces. Layered, parallel, building sentences stirred his listeners with their elegance.

One sentence connects smoothly to the next so that the paragraph made a cohesive whole.

The entire speech was cyclical, ending on themes that had been addressed in the beginning.

Delivery

Winston Churchill’s delivery is of particular style. He tends toward monotony when speaking,

only emphasizing particular words a handful of times throughout “Be Ye Men of Honor.” His

pace is slow and measured, frequently pausing. His volume is consistent, never overbearing

nor meek. However, instead of boring his listeners, he projects a calm and capable aura. The

radio allows Churchill to come right into British citizens’ homes, right into their lives; he is a

stable and welcome presence in the midst of calamity. When he does choose emphasize

something, such as nay and glorious in the phrase “Nay, if we fight to the end, it can only be

glorious,” the rarity of the emphasis increases the importance and the attached emotion.

Because “Be Ye Men of Valour” was delivered via the radio, the audience did not see any body

language. However, based on visual recordings from other speeches, Churchill seems to have

used facial expressions and gestures in the same way he used vocal emphasis – sparingly. He

would frequently stand, rocking slightly, with his hands under the lapels of his great overcoat.

When he did pull a hand out to gesticulate, the action added significant emphasis because it

was uncommon.

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Memory

Again because of the radio address, “Be Ye Men of Valor” did not display Churchill’s

memorization abilities – he did present other speeches from memory. In the case of this first

speech as Prime Minister, he needed to reach as many listeners as possible, which was

accomplished through the radio. He did, though, show how well versed he was in the subject.

Churchill knew the most recent events taking place in the war and what the likely outcomes

would be due to these occurrences. He also showed all of the connections he was making with

various authoritative figures and how diligently he was working for his people. In return for his

hard work, he was now requesting theirs.

Evaluation

The purpose of Churchill’s “Be Ye Men of Valour” speech was to persuade his audience. He was

attempting to persuade them that they were in the capable hands of himself and the British

Army, that they were destined to win the war, that they were needed to provide material and

support for the soldiers. He used his previously established ethos, made appeals to the nation’s

already tumultuous emotions, and presented logical arguments to persuade his listeners to

become valiant men and women.

His speech was effective in terms of increasing production levels and in terms of public moral,

for, in reflections on the war, the British are repeatedly described as resilient and indomitable.

His steadfast conviction that the Allies would win World War II was proven to be true. In the

time that it was presented to the British, “Be Ye Men of Valour” achieved the desired response.

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Churchill did not lose his effectiveness over the years either. His speeches have become iconic

of the time period and are considered examples of commendable rhetoric. His tactics are

analyzed in classrooms for he displays proper use of the modes of persuasion and the canons of

rhetoric. His example carries down through history.

Winston Churchill achieved both short-term and long-term effectiveness with “Be Ye Men of

Valour,” and he did so in a most harrowing time for himself and his audience. The Prime

Minister not only won the war, he won the hearts of Britain with his honesty, his comfort, and

his gift of empowerment to fearful citizens. He led by example and through language, and he

never surrendered. Therefore, nearly fifty years after his death, Churchill is still considered one

of the greatest men of all time.

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Reference List(2010). Churchill deep zoom: Interactive timeline. 1940: Britain’s Finest Hour. Retrieved from

http://1940.iwm.org.uk/>page_id=527

(2012) World War 2: The war effort. BBC History. Retrieved from http://www.bbc.co.uk/schools/primaryhistory/world_war2/

Best, G. (2011, March 30). Winston Churchill: Defender of democracy. BBC History. Retrieved from http://www.bbc.co.uk/history/worldwars/wwtwo/churchill_defender_01.shtml

Bungay, S. (2001, Autumn). His speeches: How Churchill did it. Finest Hour 112. Retrieved from https://www.winstonchurchill.org/learn/speeches/speeches-about-winston-churchill/his-speeches-how-churchill-did-it

The Churchill Centre. (2009, Dec. 3). Churchill: Leader and statesman. Retrieved from http://www.winstonchurchill.org/learn/biography/biography/churchill-leader-and-statesman.

Churchill, W. (1940, May 19). Be ye men of valour. Retrieved from http://www.winstonchurchill.org/learn/speeches/speeches-of-winston-churchill/91-be-ye-men-of-valour

Churchill, W. (1897). The scaffolding of rhetoric. Retrieved from http://www.oocities.org/v_sricharan/nice/churchill_rhetoric.html.

Churchill, W. (1940, June 4). We shall fight on the beaches. Retrieved from http://www.winstonchurchill.org/learn/speeches/speeches-of-winston-churchill/128-we-shall-fight-on-the-beaches.

Clearly, H. (2011, March 3). Churchill becomes prime minister. BBC History. Retrieved from http://www.bbc.co.uk/history/worldwars/wwtwo/ff2_churchill_pm.shtml.

Crowely, S., & Hawhee, D. (2012). Ancient rhetorics for contemporary students (5th ed.). New York: Pearson.

Robinson, B. (2011, March 30). World war two: Summary outline of key events. BBC History. Retrieved from http://www.bbc.co.uk/history/worldwars/wwtwo/ww2_summary_01.shtml#top.

See and here: WWII timeline. Retrieved from http://www.nationalww2museum.org/see-hear/world-war-ii-history/timeline.html

Urwick, L. (1965, June). Leadership and language. The Academy of Management Journal , Vol. 8, No. 2 (Jun., 1965), pp. 146-149. Retrieved from http://www.jstor.org/stable/255221.

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White, M. (2011, March) Necrometrics: Death tolls across history. Retrieved from http://www.secondworldwarhistory.com/world-war-2-statistics.asp

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Appendices

Speech Text“Be Ye Men of Valour” By Winston Churchill

I speak to you for the first time as Prime Minister in a solemn hour for the life of our country, of our empire, of our allies, and, above all, of the cause of Freedom. A tremendous battle is raging in France and Flanders. The Germans, by a remarkable combination of air bombing and heavily armored tanks, have broken through the French defenses north of the Maginot Line, and strong columns of their armored vehicles are ravaging the open country, which for the first day or two was without defenders. They have penetrated deeply and spread alarm and confusion in their track. Behind them there are now appearing infantry in lorries, and behind them, again, the large masses are moving forward. The re-groupment of the French armies to make head against, and also to strike at, this intruding wedge has been proceeding for several days, largely assisted by the magnificent efforts of the Royal Air Force.

We must not allow ourselves to be intimidated by the presence of these armored vehicles in unexpected places behind our lines. If they are behind our Front, the French are also at many points fighting actively behind theirs. Both sides are therefore in an extremely dangerous position. And if the French Army, and our own Army, are well handled, as I believe they will be; if the French retain that genius for recovery and counter-attack for which they have so long been famous; and if the British Army shows the dogged endurance and solid fighting power of which there have been so many examples in the past -- then a sudden transformation of the scene might spring into being.

It would be foolish, however, to disguise the gravity of the hour. It would be still more foolish to lose heart and courage or to suppose that well-trained, well-equipped armies numbering three or four millions of men can be overcome in the space of a few weeks, or even months, by a scoop, or raid of mechanized vehicles, however formidable. We may look with confidence to the stabilization of the Front in France, and to the general engagement of the masses, which will enable the qualities of the French and British soldiers to be matched squarely against those of their adversaries. For myself, I have invincible confidence in the French Army and its leaders. Only a very small part of that splendid Army has yet been heavily engaged; and only a very small part of France has yet been invaded. There is a good evidence to show that practically the whole of the specialized and mechanized forces of the enemy have been already thrown into the battle; and we know that very heavy losses have been inflict upon them. No officer or man, no brigade or division, which grapples at close quarters with the enemy, wherever encountered, can fail to make a worthy contribution to the general result. The Armies must cast

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away the idea of resisting behind concrete lines or natural obstacles, and must realize that mastery can only be regained by furious and unrelenting assault. And this spirit must not only animate the High Command, but must inspire every fighting man.

In the air -- often at serious odds, often at odds hitherto thought overwhelming -- we have been clawing down three or four to one of our enemies; and the relative balance of the British and German Air Forces is now considerably more favorable to us than at the beginning of the battle. In cutting down the German bombers, we are fighting our own battle as well as that of France. My confidence in our ability to fight it out to the finish with the German Air Force has been strengthened by the fierce encounters which have taken place and are taking place. At the same time, our heavy bombers are striking nightly at the tap-root of German mechanized power, and have already inflicted serious damage upon the oil refineries on which the Nazi effort to dominate the world directly depends.

We must expect that as soon as stability is reached on the Western Front, the bulk of that hideous apparatus of aggression which gashed Holland into ruin and slavery in a few days will be turned upon us. I am sure I speak for all when I say we are ready to face it; to endure it; and to retaliate against it -- to any extent that the unwritten laws of war permit. There will be many men and many women in the Island who when the ordeal comes upon them, as come it will, will feel comfort, and even a pride, that they are sharing the perils of our lads at the Front -- soldiers, sailors and airmen, God bless them -- and are drawing away from them a part at least of the onslaught they have to bear. Is not this the appointed time for all to make the utmost exertions in their power? If the battle is to be won, we must provide our men with ever-increasing quantities of the weapons and ammunition they need. We must have, and have quickly, more aeroplanes, more tanks, more shells, more guns. There is imperious need for these vital munitions. They increase our strength against the powerfully armed enemy. They replace the wastage of the obstinate struggle; and the knowledge that wastage will speedily be replaced enables us to draw more readily upon our reserves and throw them in now that everything counts so much.

Our task is not only to win the battle - but to win the war. After this battle in France abates its force, there will come the battle for our Island -- for all that Britain is, and all the Britain means. That will be the struggle. In that supreme emergency we shall not hesitate to take every step, even the most drastic, to call forth from our people the last ounce and the last inch of effort of which they are capable. The interests of property, the hours of labor, are nothing compared with the struggle of life and honor, for right and freedom, to which we have vowed ourselves.

I have received from the Chiefs of the French Republic, and in particular form its indomitable

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Prime Minister, M. Reynaud, the most sacred pledges that whatever happens they will fight to the end, be it bitter or be it glorious. Nay, if we fight to the end, it can only be glorious.

Having received His Majesty's commission, I have formed an Administration of men and women of every Party and of almost every point of view. We have differed and quarreled in the past; but now one bond unites us all -- to wage war until victory is won, and never to surrender ourselves to servitude and shame, whatever the cost and the agony may be. This is one of the most awe-striking periods in the long history of France and Britain. It is also beyond doubt the most sublime. Side by side, unaided except by their kith and kin in the great Dominions and by the wide empires which rest beneath their shield - side by side, the British and French peoples have advanced to rescue not only Europe but mankind from the foulest and most soul-destroying tyranny which has ever darkened and stained the pages of history. Behind them - behind us- behind the Armies and Fleets of Britain and France - gather a group of shattered States and bludgeoned races: the Czechs, the Poles, the Norwegians, the Danes, the Dutch, the Belgians - upon all of whom the long night of barbarism will descend, unbroken even by a star of hope, unless we conquer, as conquer we must; as conquer we shall.

Today is Trinity Sunday. Centuries ago words were written to be a call and a spur to the faithful servants of Truth and Justice: "Arm yourselves, and be ye men of valour, and be in readiness for the conflict; for it is better for us to perish in battle than to look upon the outrage of our nation and our altar. As the Will of God is in Heaven, even so let it be."

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HandoutWinston Churchill’s “Be Ye Men of Valour”

and the Five Canons of Rhetoric

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Identify the speech and its rhetor Explain why the speech is significant.

o One of Churchill’s earliest and most famous speecheso Informing on war events, asking for help, preparing for inevitable invasion

Provide whatever background information is needed for your audience to understand the speech you examined.

o Was just elected PMo Germany just broke through French lines

Discuss your findings with regard to the effective and/or ineffective use of the canons (this is the most important part of your presentation).

o Invention Ethos – already established

Goodwill - “for the life of our country, of our empire, of our allies, and, above all, of the cause of Freedom.”

Pathos – most effective Patriotism, national pride, loyalty, duty, honor

Logos – mainly examples, also deduction Extrinsic – authoritative testimony, data from the war

o Arrangement Chronological

What happened in the war, what the people need to do now, what will likely happen to Britain in the future

Ambiguous audience Because he asked so much of them

Cicero: summarize, incite indignation, rouse pity side by side, the British and French peoples have

advanced to rescue not only Europe but mankind from the foulest and most soul-destroying tyranny which has ever darkened and stained the pages of history. Behind them - behind us- behind the Armies and Fleets of Britain and France - gather a group of shattered States and bludgeoned races: the Czechs, the Poles, the Norwegians, the Danes, the Dutch, the Belgians - upon all of whom the long night of barbarism will descend, unbroken even by a star of hope, unless we conquer, as conquer we must; as conquer we shall.

o Style Correctness, clarity, appropriateness, ornament Layered, parallel, cohesive, cyclical

o Delivery Radio broadcast, general monotone makes emphasize more important

o Memory Not really used. Does memorize other speeches.

Conclusiono Yes it was effectiveo Production double that year and then steadily increased