Question

in this excerpt from phillip freneaus 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 evry shore,
submit to that our fathers shunnd 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,
a. the speaker feels that the colonists should pay their share of taxes
b. the speaker believes that the british government is broken and should be fixed
c. the speaker thinks that the colonists are being unfairly treated by the british government
d. the speaker intends to lead a slave revolt against the british government.

Explanation:

The phrase "slaves and minions to a parliament" is a hyperbolic way of expressing extreme subjugation. In the context of the poem, which is about American liberty, it implies that the colonists would be in an unjust and oppressive situation under the British Parliament (as the British government was controlling the colonies). Option A is incorrect as it goes against the sentiment of not submitting. Option B is not indicated - the focus is on the colonists' situation, not fixing the British government. Option D is wrong as it's about colonists' freedom, not a slave revolt. Option C aligns with the idea of unfair treatment (like being "slaves") by the British government (represented by the parliament).

Answer:

C. The speaker thinks that the colonists are being unfairly treated by the British government