Final answer:
Britannia represents Great Britain in allegorical form, and her portrayal weeping signifies distress over the conflict with the colonies. Thomas Paine, an influential writer, penned 'Common Sense' to argue for colonial independence and 'The American Crisis' to bolster American resolve during the Revolutionary War.
Step-by-step explanation:
Britannia is a personification of Great Britain and has been depicted in various forms over centuries, often as a female figure with a trident, shield, and helmet, symbolizing British imperialism and naval dominance. In the context of American Revolution imagery, Britannia can be seen weeping, which represents the sorrow and distress caused by the parliamentary acts on the colonies.
Thomas Paine was an influential writer and revolutionary. In his pamphlet Common Sense, Paine argued against the British monarchy and for the independence of the colonies. His work laid out the practical disadvantages of continued British rule, such as economic restrictions, and promoted the idea that government should serve the people. Paine's clear and compelling prose galvanized colonial thought towards revolution.
Moreover, in The American Crisis, Paine addresses the trials of the Revolutionary War, criticizing Tories, or Loyalists, for their opposition to the American cause and challenging the colonies to persevere despite hardships.