What Is The Purpose Of Elizabeth's Speech To Her Troops

In 1588, Queen Elizabeth I gave a speech to her troops during the assembling at Tilbury to repel an invasion of England by the troops serving the king of Spain. Elizabeth’s intention was to convey to her troops that she is their queen; she will come amongst all of her people. In addition to this speech, “Queen’s Elizabeth’s Speech at Tilbury”, she fills her troops with a will to survive, gives them motivation, and also fills them with loyalty, which is the inspiration to protect their country.
The beginning of her speech is about values, but also cautions, her people. However, in the first sentence she uses the word “we” as in “we”, her people, shouldn’t fear, but let tyrants fear themselves. This provides a feeling of safety and well being …show more content…
The sentence structure is complex while the imagery is still implied. Referring back to “God”, she states she lies down for “my God, and for my kingdom, and my people, my honor, and my blood”. The sentence gives a visual of the queen figuratively that she is in the hearts of her troops and including her country. On the other hand, she then states that she has the body of a “weak and feble woman”, however; then transitions to the “heart and stomach of a king”. This establishes that she the queen may appear as a woman, but has the ability of both a queen and king, and is devoted to England.
Elizabeth continues to use imagery towards the end of her speech, but also has a shift to it. The shift generalizes with her intention toward her troops. Elizabeth states that she will be “general, judge, and rewarder of every one of your virtues in the field”. This shifts her troops to reality; their repel is at hand. The word “general” refers to her as a leader but not an actual fighter. Then the word “judge” doesn’t just exhibit her judging of others, but also God judging herself. Lastly in this statement, the “rewarder” is the reward for those who fight and protect their