Student Question
In Thomas Paine's Common Sense, who does "Pharaoh of England" refer to?
Quick answer:
In "Common Sense," the "Pharaoh of England" refers to King George III. Thomas Paine draws a parallel between the biblical Pharaoh who refused to free the Israelites and King George III's refusal to grant American independence. By using this analogy, Paine highlights the king's obstinacy and "hardened" heart, suggesting that, like the Pharaoh, King George III was unjustly keeping the Americans under subjugation.
This phrase is referring to two things. It refers to King George III of England and it refers to the pharaoh in the Bible who refused to let the people of Israel leave slavery in Egypt.
In the Bible, Moses tells the pharaoh that God wants him to free the Israelites. The pharaoh initially agrees but then changes his mind. The Bible says that “the heart of Pharaoh was hardened” just as Paine refers to the “hardened … Pharaoh of England. By alluding to the Bible, Paine is saying that King George III of England was acting like the Egyptian pharaoh. He was being obstinate and “hardened” and would therefore not let the Americans go free just as pharaoh would not let the Israelites go free.
Get Ahead with eNotes
Start your 48-hour free trial to access everything you need to rise to the top of the class. Enjoy expert answers and study guides ad-free and take your learning to the next level.
Already a member? Log in here.