How would you explain Patrick Henry's "Speech to the Virginia Convention" in terms of meaning and symbolism?

In this speech that he gave to the Virginia convention, Patrick Henry urges them to fight back against the oppressive Britain that has been defecting on promises for so long.  Many of the group of men wanted to continue to try to work with Britain, to ask for more freedoms from them, to petition them, to send letters of pleading, to protest and go through non-violent means in order to assure their freedom.  However, in his speech, Patrick Henry states that they have tried those means over and over again, and it hasn't worked.  He warns the Americans that Britain is, as they are speaking, amassing an army to come and fight them into submission.  He reminds them of the armies that are already on the continent, housed in their homes, and asks them why else would they be there if not to force us, through armies and violence, to obey and stop rebelling?  He urges them to not listen to the lies and insidious platitudes coming from Britain, but to stand up and fight for their rights.  He says that they must defend themselves against the tyran Britain, as it is the only course left to free men.  He says they can be lulled into submission, or they can stand up and fight for themselves, to free themselves from Britain once and for all. He ends with his famous line, "Give me liberty, or give me death," asserting his stance that he would rather die fighting for liberty than to live a slave.

Patrick Henry uses quite a bit of symbolism in his speech.  He refers to experience and wisdom as a lamp that guides his feet, to the false promises of Britain as a siren leading men to their destruction, to hope as a phantom, and to Britain's attempts to stop them as chains bound to enslave them.  This symbolism serves to enhance the imagery and emotional impact of the speech, making it more intense.  I hope that these explanations helped to clear it up a bit for you; good luck!