Question

In this excerpt from Phillip Freneau's poem “American Liberty,” the speaker describes being “slaves and minions to a parliament.” What is the intended meaning of this hyperbole?

And should we now when spread thro' ev'ry shore,
Submit to that our fathers shunn'd before?
Should we, just heaven, our blood and labour spent,
be slaves and minions to a parliament?
Perish the thought, nor may one wretch remain,
Who dares not fight and in our cause be slain;

The speaker feels that the colonists should pay their share of taxes.
The speaker believes that the British government is broken and should be fixed.
The speaker thinks that the colonists are being unfairly treated by the British government.
The speaker intends to lead a slave revolt against the British government.

Answer 1

C. The speaker thinks that the colonists are being unfairly treated by the British government. Phillip Freneau is called the "Poet of the American Revolution". "American Liberty" was one of his literary pieces that is anti-British

Answer 2

The intended meaning of this hyperbole is "The speaker thinks that the colonists are being unfairly treated by the British government."

Step-by-step explanation:

In the excerpt “American Liberty,” the specific line “slaves and minions to a parliament.” talks about how he feels the colonists have done a lot of work and they haven't got back what they deserve for it from the government, the writer tries to appeal to people and get support in his proposal of going against the government.