Why does the star spangled banner have question marks?

The question marks in "The Star-Spangled Banner" reflect the uncertainty and tension of the battle that inspired the song. Specifically, they appear in the line "What so proudly we hailed at the twilight's last gleaming?" This phrasing captures the anxiety of whether the American flag, a symbol of hope and resilience, would still be flying after the conflict, emphasizing the themes of perseverance and national pride amidst adversity.