Queen Elizabeth's Speech at Tilbury Imagery

Queen Elizabeth's Speech at Tilbury Imagery

Subjects

Spoken to her army before battle, Elizabeth's speech seeks to identify the troops as both hers and England's. They are bother her “people”, her “subjects”, and the kingdom of England. Without their efforts in battle, she can not rule Protestant England. To show her debt to them as her “kingdom”, she marches among them to deliver her speech (despite being a woman). The victory will be owed to “my people” (Queen Elizabeth's subjects).

"Body of a woman"

Elizabeth focuses much upon her gender throughout the speech to calm the soldiers before battle. Despite being a woman, she declares she is a “king” with the “stomach of a king”. The “body of a woman” contrasts with the “stomach of a king”. The image of a “body of a woman” hides her true ability to rule and guide her people. To satisfy her troops, Elizabeth identifies herself as a strong monarch in spirit. While, due to her “body of a woman”, she can not go to war with her troops, she can inspire them.

"Any prince of Europe"

Elizabeth, England, and the army stand against the impending threat of the Spanish Armada. Elizabeth's speech identifies Spain, Catholicism, and thus Europe with “dishonour”. Against Catholicism, Elizabeth has lead England during her reign. Spain, and Europe too, become the greatest symbols of Catholicism's threat to England. No “prince of Europe” can ever invade England and force his rule upon it. A weak, physical masculine rule which exists in contrast to Elizabeth's strong, spiritual masculine rule.

England

The image of Elizabeth's England stands in opposition to all of Catholic Europe. Her kingdom shares Elizabeth, England, and the army stand against the impending threat of the Spanish Armada. Elizabeth's speech identifies Spain, Catholicism, and thus Europe with “dishonour”. Against Catholicism, Elizabeth has lead England during her reign. Spain, and Europe too, become the greatest symbols of Catholicism's threat to England. No “prince of Europe” can ever invade England and force his rule upon it. A weak, physical masculine rule which exists in contrast to Elizabeth's strong, spiritual masculine rule.

Reward

Elizabeth promises all the assembled troops “deserved rewards and crowns” for their sacrifices on the battlefield. The promise of reward, both for themselves and England, is what drives the soldiers on to fight the Spanish Armada. While Elizabeth can not fight with them, she can reward her armies for their virtue. This “reward” is both material wealth in payment and spiritual virtue in victory.

Lieutenant general

The general which will lead the troops in Elizabeth's place against Spain. As a woman, Elizabeth can not lead the troops directly in battle, but she can lead through her subjects. The Lieutenant general carries Elizabeth's spirit into battle with them against Spain. As Elizabeth is “general, judge, and rewarder” of England, the Lieutenant general will be the same in battle. As he acts with Queen Elizabeth's command, England will have “a famous victory over those enemies of my God, of my kingdom, and of my people.”

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