Question

2 Mr. President, it is natural to man to indulge in the illusions of hope. 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. Is this the part of wise men, engaged in a great and arduous struggle for liberty? 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? For my part, whatever anguish of spirit it may cost, I am willing to know the whole truth; to know the worst, and to provide for it.

In paragraph two, what is Patrick Henry referring to when he mentions "that siren" who will change all men into beasts? A) the illusions of hope B) the British government C) the American government D) the men who had just spoken before him

Answer 1

Patrick Henry is using the siren as a metaphor for 'the illusions of hope' that distract from the harsh realities of the British government's oppression, emphasizing the need for a clear-eyed approach to the struggle for liberty.

Step-by-step explanation:

In the paragraph cited, Patrick Henry is referring to the illusions of hope when he mentions "that siren" who will change all men into beasts. This metaphor is used to describe the temptation to avoid facing harsh realities by clinging to false hope. Henry uses this allusion to Greek mythology to emphasize the danger of ignoring the truth, which in the context of his speech, relates to the oppression and injustices of the British government and the urgent need for the American colonies to continue their struggle for independence.

Answer 2

The correct answer is B) the British government.

Step-by-step explanation:

Through this mythological allusion, Henry refers to the promises and good words coming from the British government. If people keep listening to those false promises they will eventually become what they did not want to. Henry recovers the myth of Circe in Homer's Odyssey, and how she transformed his men into swine after charming them with her singing.