ESSENTIAL QUESTION
In a time when women were considered the weaker sex and secondary citizens, how does Queen Elizabeth I of England convince her male troops to prepare for a foreign invasion?
CONTEXT
Queen of England during it’s Golden Age, Elizabeth I (1533-1603) was the second daughter of King Henry VIII. Never married, she was relatively tolerant in religious affairs and cautious in foreign affairs, successfully fending off multiple demands that she marry to produce an heir to the throne. She became known as the “Virgin Queen”, and her reign saw the rise of William Shakespeare, Christopher Marlowe, Francis Drake, and Sir Walter Raleigh, as well as the British defeat of the Spanish Armada, at the time considered the strongest navy afloat.
On July 12, 1588, a large Spanish fleet set sail for the English coast, intent upon invasion. English militia mustered to defend the southern coast, and the commander invited Elizabeth to inspect her troops. Wearing a white velvet gown under a breast plate with a steel helmet, she addressed her forces. Excerpts from her speech, made August 9, 1588, are below. Note how she uses language to convey her message.
TEXT
My Loving People
We have been persuaded by some that are careful of our safety to take heed how we commit ourselves to armed multitudes, for fear of treachery. But I assure you, I do not desire to live to distrust my faithful and loving people.
Let tyrants fear, I have always so behaved myself that, under God, I have placed my chiefest strength and safeguard in the loyal hearts and good-will of my subjects; and there fore I am come amongst you as you see, at this time, not for my recreation and disport, but being resolved, in the midst and heat of the battle, to live and die amongst you all; to lay down for my God, and for my kingdom, and my people, my honour and my blood, even in the dust.
I know I have the body of a weak and feeble woman; but I have the heart and stomach of a king, and of a king of England too, and think foul scorn that Parma or Spain, or any prince of Europe, should dare to invade the borders of my realm: to which rather than any dishonour shall grow by me, I myself will take up arms, I myself will be your general, judge, and rewarder to every one of your virtues in the field…
INQUIRY (Cite from the text where you found your response)
- Most of the militia have probably never seen the Queen in person. How does she establish an emotional connection with them? What phrases does she use?
- What does Elizabeth state is her purpose in addressing the troops? What connection is she making?
- Why does Elizabeth contrast her body with her heart and stomach? What is the effect?
- Why does Elizabeth infer back to her ancestors when she says “a King of England too”? What appeal is she making? (Remember, Elizabeth’s father was King Henry VIII and her grandfather King Henry VII)
- What imagery does Elizabeth use to convey her commitment to England?
- How does Elizabeth work to inspire commitment in the militia?
- Identify at least one appeal to logic in the speech.
- What is Elizabeth’s tone in this speech? Identify specific phrases that convey her tone.
ADDITIONAL RESOURCES
https://www.rmg.co.uk/stories/topics/queen-elizabeth-speech-troops-tilbury
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