queen elizabeth 1 speech rhetorical analysis

A Short Analysis of Queen Elizabeth I’s ‘Heart and Stomach of a King’ Speech at Tilbury

By Dr Oliver Tearle (Loughborough University)

Queen Elizabeth I’s speech to the troops at Tilbury is among the most famous and iconic speeches in English history. On 9 August 1588, Elizabeth addressed the land forces which had been mobilised at the port of Tilbury in Essex, in preparation for the expected invasion of England by the Spanish Armada.

The speech has become inextricably linked with Elizabeth’s reign, which is often called the ‘Golden Age’ of English power and confidence. Elizabeth’s reign was the settling of the earliest English colonies in America, the establishment of the first London theatres, the early works of William Shakespeare and John Donne, and much else.

However, how authentic is the reported text of the speech Elizabeth gave on that day, and did she really tell her loyal troops that, although she had ‘the body of a weak and feeble woman’, she had ‘the heart and stomach of a king’?

Many historians accept the speech of Elizabeth I as genuine, and believe the words quoted above have an authentic ring to them: they were delivered, and probably written, by Elizabeth herself. Elizabeth was also a somewhat gifted poet , so it should little surprise us that she had a fine turn of phrase when it came to speech-writing, too.

However, no contemporary account of the exact words used in the speech is in existence. Indeed, one of the earliest recorded versions of the speech contains quite different words from those quoted above. In 1612 a preacher named William Leigh offered this version of Elizabeth’s words:

The enemy perhaps may challenge my sex for that I am a woman, so may I likewise charge their mould for that they are but men, whose breath is in their nostrils, and if God do not charge England with the sins of England, little do I fear their force… Si deus nobiscum quis contra nos?

This final Latin phrase can be translated as ‘if God is with us, who can be against us?’

It was not until more than a decade later, in the 1620s, that the more familiar wording of Elizabeth’s speech was first written down, when Leonel Sharp included it in a letter to the Duke of Buckingham. This letter was published in 1654. In it, Sharp wrote,

The queen the next morning rode through all the squadrons of her army as armed Pallas attended by noble footmen, Leicester, Essex, and Norris, then lord marshal, and divers other great lords. Where she made an excellent oration to her army, which the next day after her departure, I was commanded to redeliver all the army together, to keep a public fast.

It is Sharp’s version of the speech that has become canonical, and many consider his to be closer to the wording that Elizabeth is likely to have used during the delivery of her speech.

But what marks both versions of the speech out is Elizabeth’s emphasis on her sex. In Leigh’s account of the speech, Elizabeth tells her English troops that the Spanish enemy may believe her to be an ineffectual ruler because she is a woman, rather than being a ‘strong’ man who can lead his troops into battle. But she responds to this hypothetical criticism by reminding her audience that the Spanish enemy are but men, who are mortal (and can therefore be killed).

In Sharp’s more famous version, the wording has become well-known, of course: ‘I know I have the body but of a weak and feeble woman; but I have the heart and stomach of a king, and of a king of England too’. In other words, Elizabeth acknowledges the fact that her body is naturally less masculine and strong than the average man’s, but it is not mere physical strength that will win the day. Instead, the ‘heart’ and ‘stomach’ are important: the strength of passion with which the men are inspired to fight to defend their country from an invading foreign force.

A key part of the quotation’s success, which is undoubtedly at least partly responsible for its fame, is the balancing of the spirit and passion (heart) with the more visceral courage and willingness to fight (stomach).

Curiously, the very first version of the speech to be recorded was in 1588, the same year as the foiled attack from the Spanish Armada. And it was in verse! James Aske published the celebratory ‘ Elizabetha Triumphans ’, which contains the words:

And this our speech and this our solemn vow In fervent love to those our subjects dear, Say, seargeant-major, tell them from our self, On kingly faith we will perform it there …

Here we find no heart and stomach, and no interesting play on the Queen’s femininity or sex. This has led some historians to wonder if Sharp’s later recording of the words is unreliable and inauthentic.

But it seems more likely that Aske, churning out jingoistic doggerel while the national mood was still jubilant, was the one who took liberties with the wording used by the Queen, if he even knew what she had said on that day in August 1588.

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Home — Essay Samples — History — Queen Elizabeth — Rhetorical Analysis of Queen Elizabeth I’s Speech to the Troops at Tilbury

Rhetorical Analysis of Queen Elizabeth I's Speech to The Troops at Tilbury

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Published: Jun 13, 2024

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Queen Elizabeth's Speech at Tilbury

By queen elizabeth i, queen elizabeth's speech at tilbury analysis.

These notes were contributed by members of the GradeSaver community. We are thankful for their contributions and encourage you to make your own.

Written by Anastasia Melnyk, Mridupaban Buragohain

The speech of Queen Elizabeth I to the troops at Tilbury before the battle with the troops of Spain is not just a short account of how the queen begs her army to fight for the country. While reading her speech, readers my encounter considerable of emotions and excitement. Belief in God, her army, and victory proves that miracles always come true, even if you say to yourself “this is impossible.”

Elizabeth I very carefully plans her decisions, when she is the queen of England. The words of her speech, as well as the appearance before the military actions, contributes to the creation of an exact and powerful leader. After reading her speech at Tilbury, the reader can confidently say that Elizabeth I is an unusual woman. She is a soldier of her army, as well as a leader, who fearlessly defends her country. Elizabeth I does not consider herself a hub of the universe. She is determined to win. Faith is the only thing the queen can share with her people.

According to her speech, we see that Elizabeth I greatly loves and respects her people. She will not hide like a coward and waiting for the end of the war. This woman is a very striking example for readers. Queen Elizabeth I teaches us to be strong and never to be afraid of your enemies. To get rid of this fear, we must go to meet it and destroy the myth, which makes you weak and because of which you cannot to be able to achieve your goals.

The subjects of Queen Elizabeth I are also loyal soldiers and have a strong emotional self-control and spirit. Such people should be respected, because they are defenders. They protect their country, their children and their future by sacrificing their lives. The reader will not be able to feel the same excitement and emotional experience of these people, who are ready to fight for the lives of others. However, we definitely want to have the spirit and fearlessness of these people, who know that death will overtake them at any moment.

The speech of Queen Elizabeth I contains much more than grand political and social content. Indeed, Queen Elizabeth is confident that the main things in a person are humanity and sympathy. If you have these two qualities, the world will become better. We will trust each other, respect each other, and protect each other.

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Queen Elizabeth’s Speech at Tilbury Questions and Answers

The Question and Answer section for Queen Elizabeth’s Speech at Tilbury is a great resource to ask questions, find answers, and discuss the novel.

Selection 2 from the speech is an example of which of the following of rhetorical devices?

I don't have numbered selections. I only have the whole speech.

What are the primary rhetorical appeals the Queen uses in the numbered selections?

a. Logos and Ethos

In passage 1, how does Queen Elizabeth l’ use of parallelism reflect the purpose of her speech?

The first paragraph?

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...

Study Guide for Queen Elizabeth’s Speech at Tilbury

Queen Elizabeth's Speech at Tilbury study guide contains a biography of Queen Elizabeth I, literature essays, quiz questions, major themes, characters, and a full summary and analysis.

• About Queen Elizabeth's Speech at Tilbury
• Queen Elizabeth's Speech at Tilbury Summary
• Character List

Essays for Queen Elizabeth’s Speech at Tilbury

Queen Elizabeth's Speech at Tilbury essays are academic essays for citation. These papers were written primarily by students and provide critical analysis of Queen Elizabeth's Speech at Tilbury by Queen Elizabeth I.

• The Intersection of Gender, Religion, and Nationalism in Queen Elizabeth's Speech at Tilbury

Wikipedia Entries for Queen Elizabeth’s Speech at Tilbury

• Introduction

Queen Elizabeth I’s speech to the troops at Tilbury

Queen Elizabeth I used her power over language to frame the narrative of the Spanish Armada.

The speech she is supposed to have delivered to her troops on 9 August 1588 has become one of the defining moments in British history.

When was the Tilbury Speech made?

Fear of invasion by Spain remained high in England, especially with the action of the Spanish Armada taking place so close to England's shores. As a result, the ageing Robert Dudley was put in charge of the land army at Tilbury, on the Thames, to the east of London in Essex.

Dudley arranged for Queen Elizabeth to visit Tilbury to announce his appointment and rally the troops on  9 August 1588 . The queen's reported words during that visit has gone down in history. Read it in full below.

Find out more about the Spanish Armada

Elizabeth I's Tilbury speech in full

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 therefore 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 of every one of your virtues in the field. I know already, for your forwardness you have deserved rewards and crowns; and We do assure you on a word of a prince, they shall be duly paid. In the mean time, my lieutenant general shall be in my stead, than whom never prince commanded a more noble or worthy subject; not doubting but by your obedience to my general, by your concord in the camp, and your valour in the field, we shall shortly have a famous victory over these enemies of my God, of my kingdom, and of my people.

Celebrating success

The defeat of the Spanish Armada brought fame, both for England and Queen Elizabeth I. Europe was stunned that such a small island nation had successfully defended itself against such a major aggressor.

While the war with Spain would continue until 1604, the outcome was no longer taken for granted and foreign diplomats began to court England as a possible ally. Elizabeth's popularity soared. The impact of the victory for the nation's self-confidence cannot be overestimated.

England’s success was celebrated in all manners of ways. Songs were written, medals struck, portraits painted and prints published. All lauded Elizabeth as a saviour who stood firm to protect her nation, shared the glory of the success with the English navy and gave thanks for divine intervention: 'God breathed and they were scattered'.

Tudors to Windsors: British Royal Portraits

Elizabeth i quotes.

• ‘We princes are set as it were upon stages in the sight and view of the world.’
• ‘I have no desire to make windows into men’s souls.’
• ‘It would please me best if, at the last, a marble stone shall record that this Queen having lived such and such a time, lived and died a virgin.’
• ‘It is not my desire to live or reign longer than my life and reign shall be for your good. And though you have had, and may have, many mightier and wiser princes sitting in this seat, yet you never had, nor shall have, any that will love you better.

The Armada Portrait of Elizabeth I

The most famous visual expression of the Spanish Armada is The Armada Portrait of Elizabeth I (c. 1588). Although there are several versions of the painting, each one shows Elizabeth flanked by scenes of the defining acts that thwarted Spain’s invasion. On the left of the painting is England’s fleet watching the attack of their fireships, and on the right the Armada is being wrecked in storms on the coasts of Scotland and Ireland. In the centre is Elizabeth in all her glory, with her hand hovering over America on a globe. She is portrayed as living embodiment of England’s triumph and its imperial ambition.

See the Armada Portrait of Queen Elizabeth I

Using our collections for research.

The collections at Royal Museums Greenwich offer a world-class resource for researching maritime history, astronomy and time.

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Shop for gifts inspired by an iconic Queen

Understand the context, creation and significance of the Armada Portrait in our concise guide. Indulge in gifts inspired by its Elizabethan symbolism

Speech to the Troops at Tilbury

Speech to the troops at tilbury lyrics.

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The Speech to the Troops at Tilbury was delivered on 9 August Old Style, 19 August New Style 1588 by Queen Elizabeth I of England to the land forces earlier assembled at Tilbury in Essex in preparation for repelling the expected invasion by the Spanish Armada.

Prior to the speech the Armada had been driven from the Strait of Dover in the Battle of Gravelines eleven days earlier, and had by then rounded Scotland on its way home, but troops were still held at ready in case the Spanish army of Alexander Farnese, the Duke of Parma, might yet attempt to invade from Dunkirk; two days later they were discharged. On the day of the speech, the Queen left her bodyguard before the fort at Tilbury and went among her subjects with an escort of six men. Lord Ormonde walked ahead with the Sword of State; he was followed by a page leading the Queen’s charger and another bearing her silver helmet on a cushion; then came the Queen herself, in white with a silver cuirass and mounted on a grey gelding. She was flanked on horseback by her Lieutenant General the Earl of Leicester on the right, and on the left by the Earl of Essex, her Master of the Horse. Sir John Norreys brought up the rear.

Find answers to frequently asked questions about the song and explore its deeper meaning

Genius is the world’s biggest collection of song lyrics and musical knowledge

Speech To The Troops At Tilbury Rhetorical Analysis

Finally, Elizabeth appeals to her troops’ sense of reason, using logos to make a logical case for why they should fight. She points out the strength of the English navy, and how badly outnumbered the Spanish Armada is. She also talks about how much is at stake in this battle, and how important it is for England to defeat the Spanish.

The queen’s speech energized the troops and assured her faith in them as well as her leadership skills through repetition, contrast, persuasion, amplification, and language use. Elizabeth begins by referring to herself in the fight by using “we,” establishing a shared ground with the troops.

She also employs the technique of repetition later in the paragraph by saying “I know” three times to show the depth of her conviction in what she is saying. This is significant as it would have been easy for her to give up and let someone else lead in her stead, but her commitment to her people is evident in her words. Elizabeth also uses juxtaposition when she compares herself to her sister Mary, who was not a good role model for how a queen should behave.

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Queen Elizabeth I Speech Before Her Troops Analytical Essay

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Queen Elizabeth I Speech Before Her Troops: Essay Introduction

Queen elizabeth i speech before her troops: summary, queen elizabeth i speech before her troops: essay conclusion.

Throughout history, speeches have been used as effective means for expressing yourself to the masses. Leaders on all levels have come to appreciate the fact that a well crafted speech can be a powerful agent when trying to evoke particular sentiments in people.

Queen Elizabeth I of England proved to be a powerful and compelling orator in her speech to her troops as they prepared to take up arms against the Spanish Armada in 1588.

In this paper, I shall review her speech with the aim of deducing the main arguments that the queen advanced. Her feelings towards her audience shall be inferred based on her words. The queen’s ideas and beliefs will also be highlighted from the contents of the speech.

This speech is addressed to the English troops at the battle field. The queen understands the sacrifice that the troops are about to make for their country and for this she proclaims them noble and worthy subjects. The apparent reason for the queen’s speech is to motivate her troops in the face of the imminent conflict with the Spaniards.

The queen aims to convince the troops that their fight is for a worthy cause and that their noble action of defending their country will not go unnoticed by the queen and the people of England. The queen empathizes with the soldiers and concedes that despite there being lives lost in the heat of the battle, England will be safe.

The battle that England faces is against Spain, an equally matched opponent at that point in time. The queen asserts that while some may view surrendering to Spain as the safe means, this would be equivalent to treachery to the motherland. By making such a strong declaration, the queen aims to appeal to the patriotism of the soldiers. She further states that she is also ready and willing to die in battle for the kingdom of England together with her soldiers should she be called upon to do so.

From Elizabeth’s words, we can tell with certainty that she is a patriot at heart and the honor of her country is of great importance to her. It is this same values that she intends to impart onto the soldiers for it is on them that the fate of England will lie.

It is also apparent that Elizabeth believes that her country’s troops are not only a match for the Spaniards but that they have the capability of conquering the Spanish forces in battle. With this conviction, she predicts a short lived confrontation in which England emerges victorious.

The speech suggests that there exists some religious animosity between the two warring nations. One can deduce from the reference to the Spanish forces by the queen as “enemies of my God” that there were religious undertones that surrounded the conflict. Bearing in mind that the Spanish people were the leading Catholic power while England had embraced the Protestant sect, it is evident that the two facets of the Christian religion were at loggerheads.

The light in which women were viewed during this period in history can also be learnt from this speech. The queen contends that she has but the “body of a weak and feeble woman.” This indicates that the women in England were viewed as weak people who needed protecting. Her declaration that she is willing to take up a sword and fight for the country is as a last resort; that is if her nation should be invaded. The queen is certain that her troops would not let the situation degenerate to such an extent.

This paper set out to analyze the speech by Queen Elizabeth so as to discover the various ideas advanced through the speech. It has been identified that this speech was mainly aimed at motivating England’s troops before they faced the Spanish forces in battle. However, the analysis provided in this paper demonstrates that religious differences also played a part in the conflict between Spain and England.

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Analysis of Elizabeth I’s Speech at Tilbury before the Spanish Armada 1588

For this post analysing the speech made by Elizabeth I at Tilbury in Essex before the Spanish Armada in 1588, I have used a copy taken from the British Library website ( http://www.bl.uk/learning/timeline/item102878.html ), which is also written below.

“My loving people, We have been persuaded by some that are careful of our safety, to take heed how we commit our selves 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 therefore 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 but 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 of every one of your virtues in the field. I know already, for your forwardness you have deserved rewards and crowns; and We do assure you in the word of a prince, they shall be duly paid you. In the mean time, my lieutenant general shall be in my stead, than whom never prince commanded a more noble or worthy subject; not doubting but by your obedience to my general, by your concord in the camp, and your valour in the field, we shall shortly have a famous victory over those enemies of my God, of my kingdom, and of my people.”

Elizabeth I’s Tilbury speech was given at a time of great worry and upheaval for England (19 August 1588). Elizabeth I had signed the death warrant for Mary Queen of Scots the year before, and the Spanish used this as an excuse to invade, which they had wanted to do for a long time. Elizabeth was Protestant and Spain was a great Catholic country. The Spanish believed that, if they unseated Elizabeth from the English throne, then they could put a Catholic upon it and return England to Rome. Until 1587, this alternative to Elizabeth was Mary Queen of Scots.

The opening of the Tilbury speech “my loving people” suggests a relationship between Elizabeth and the people of England that is generally very positive. Elizabeth always knew about public image, and it seems that the people are very devoted to her. By implying their relationship to her, she makes them beholden to her. When Elizabeth talks of people being “careful of our safety” she is using the royal plural. Being the daughter of Anne Boleyn, and a committed Protestant, Elizabeth was an enemy of Spain, the foremost Catholic country in Europe. But because she had been declared illegitimate by her father, Henry VIII, when he executed her mother, many thought that she shouldn’t have been able to inherit the English throne. There had been several attempts to unseat her and replace her with Mary Queen of Scots.

Elizabeth goes on to say that she does not “desire to live to distrust my faithful and loving people”, meaning that Elizabeth trusts people to defend her, and defend England. She believes that her people really do love her and would lay down their lives for her. Elizabeth was probably also aware of the xenophobia that pervaded English society at this time, especially after Elizabeth’s half-sister, Mary’s, marriage to Philip II of Spain, which lost England Calais, their last possession in France. She encourages patriotism in order to persuade the people to protect her. This idea of protecting Elizabeth and England is carried on when Elizabeth says “I have placed my chiefest strength and safeguard in the loyal hearts and goodwill of my subjects”. This suggests that Elizabeth believes in the people, regardless of plots to replace her with Mary Queen of Scots. The ordinary people didn’t seem to take part in these plots. It seems that the people want a peaceful and prosperous time which Elizabeth can give them. They don’t have the same focus as the nobles.

Elizabeth, throughout the entire speech, tries to compare herself to the people. Regardless of her being anointed by God and placed above them, she still makes ongoing comparisons, especially when she says “live and die amongst you all”. She walks among her people before she speaks, making her a tangible presence, rather than a faraway head of church and state. Not just talking about life, but death as well, keeps Elizabeth close to the people because it reminds them that she is as mortal as they are. Similarly to this Elizabeth talks about “my honour and my blood”, talking about not just her physical person, but also her inner feelings and emotions. No doubt Elizabeth sees honour as her innermost core as a monarch, and so is willing to sacrifice herself, body and soul, to England, to protect her country and her people.

The most famous line of Elizabeth’s speech at Tilbury is “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”. There was a precedent for female monarchs who weren’t successful in England – Empress Matilda and Elizabeth’s sister, Mary I. Elizabeth was the first really successful female monarch. She acknowledges that her body may not be that of a king, but that she feels inside like a king. By differentiating between a king and a king of England, Elizabeth puts herself above the princes of Europe, but at the same time making the people of England feel superior to the people of Europe. Elizabeth breaks the mould of what a woman should be, and sets a precedent for female monarchs. Elizabeth acknowledges the lack of a king in England, but sees herself as both king and queen, and married to England and her people.

To end the paragraph, Elizabeth says that she will be “general, judge and rewarder of every one of your virtues in the field”. “General” suggests a leader, as Elizabeth already is, although she cannot actually fight alongside her troops. “Judge” isn’t just Elizabeth judging how well her troops perform, but also God judging the validity of Elizabeth’s rule and her condemnation of Mary Queen of Scots. “Rewarder” speaks for itself, in saying that Elizabeth will reward those who fight to protect her and England. At the beginning of the following paragraph, Elizabeth invokes the sacred “word of a prince” that rewards will come to those who defend England from the Spanish. The word of a prince was seen as binding.

Elizabeth then goes on to praise her lieutenant (Robert Dudley, Earl of Leicester) as a subject who couldn’t be “more noble or worthy”. It was well-known, particularly at the beginning of her reign, how close Elizabeth and Dudley were. It was suggested that they were planning to marry. However, the suspicious death of Dudley’s wife, Amy Robsart, put paid to those plans. Dudley later married Elizabeth’s second cousin, Lettice Knollys, the daughter of Elizabeth’s favourite, Katherine Knollys (nee Carey). The marriage was conducted without Elizabeth’s approval, but Dudley was forgiven and welcomed back to court.  In Elizabeth’s absence it is made clear that the troops answer to Dudley.

The speech has a very strong ending, with Elizabeth declaring that “we shall shortly have a famous victory over those enemies of my God, of my kingdom, and of my people”. In saying “my God” Elizabeth implies a special connection, and separates the Church of England from the other Catholic and Protestant European states. Religion is at the heart of most conflicts in late 16 th century Europe. When Elizabeth refers to enemies of “my Kingdom” she means those European princes (such as Philip II of Spain) who want to overthrow her and replace her with a Catholic alternative, or take England for themselves. Enemies of “my people” implies that Elizabeth stands shoulder to shoulder with her people. She defends them and they defend her. Both sides work for the good of England. It makes Elizabeth seem more real if she groups herself in with the people she rules.

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Published by Helene Harrison

I am a historian and author. My debut book 'Elizabethan Rebellions: Conspiracy, Intrigue and Treason' is available now from Pen and Sword Books. I am currently writing book two, due out in July 2024. My main historical interests are the Tudors and the Wars of the Roses, though I also enjoy reading and curling up with a stitching project. View all posts by Helene Harrison

12 thoughts on “ Analysis of Elizabeth I’s Speech at Tilbury before the Spanish Armada 1588 ”

• Pingback: A Turning Point In English History: Queen Elizabeth I’s Speech At Tilbury – leicestershirevillages.com

This wasn’t very impartial. You seem to add a lot of emphasis on distinguishing countries as if there were good and bad countries, thing that in historical comments you should not do under any circumstance.

It’s a case of perception. The Tilbury speech is an English patriotic speech so naturally in the speech Spain is seen as the ‘enemy’. That doesn’t mean Spain was a bad country, but it’s the perception in the speech.

Excellent! Is the last paragraph your conclusion?

It is an analysis of the end of the speech, but in a way it’s my conclusion as well as Elizabeth’s, as her conclusion is the same as mine.

wow ur smart

Really good. Very detailed. It helped me a lot. Good job.

Thank you so much! I think this is one of my favourite posts I’ve written so far so that means a lot!

im doing an hw and im really confused about the question that was asked from me, which says, list the weak points of this speech, and this speech seems perfect, can there be any weak points

There are always weak points to any speech. I wouldn’t say it’s a weak point of the speech itself but Elizabeth gave the speech when she already knew the immediate crisis was over so it’s possible she might have said something different had England not been so successful and lucky at sea. She was a master orator it has to be said that she certainly knew how to make people sit up and pay attention! I think sometimes she exaggerates too much but it’s a matter of opinion and sometimes the weak points that you see might not be the same as the weak points other people see. It’s all a matter of perception.

Very impartial and effectual analysis.

Awesome analysis… really helped me. thanks

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TILBURY SPEECH: Queen Elizabeth I, 1588

by Kolarele Sonaike

SPEECHMAKER: QUEEN ELIZABETH I

Title : TILBURY SPEECH

Oscar Winner, Glenda Jackson delivers the Tilbury Speech

OCCASION: Queen Elizabeth I addresses her assembled English Troops at Tilbury near London, gathered in anticipation of the Spanish Armada invasion

Date: 19TH August 1588

Length of speech in time & words: 312 words (no time recorded approximately 2 minutes)

Audience: The English Army

Central Truth: That as a woman she was ‘weaker’ than men, but she also had an internal strength that made her worthy to be a sovereign

Type: Motivational Speech

Theme: Victory will be ours

Tone: I am one of you. I will live and die with you

Specific purposes: To motivate her troops ready for battle

General purposes: To establish herself as a worthy sovereign for whom they should be willing to fight

Personal purposes: To dispel any thoughts that being a woman she was less than a King.

Opening: 5 Stars. The aim of an opening is to immediately engage your audience. The opening to this speech is short but effective. ‘My loving people’. It sets her up as their sovereign to remind them of their duty of loyalty to her. A slight arrogance perhaps in assuming her people love her, but this would have been expected of a Queen.

Introduction: 5 stars. The aim of an introduction is to get the audience ready for the Main Body of the speech. Here she does this by immediately bringing herself down to the level of her soldiers by telling them she is ignoring the advice she has received to stay away from such gatherings. She is determined to show that she is one of them, ready to live and die with them. Your opening sets the Tone for a speech so she immediately achieves her Personal Purpose with her opening.

Main Body: 5 stars. She tackles directly the unspoken ‘Truth’ for her soldiers that she is just a woman, which also means their enemies will probably underestimate her. She plays to that stereotype with her statement ‘I know I have but the body of a weak and feeble woman’, but very cleverly then counters this with a statement that all the men, who will have encountered ‘feeble bodied’ woman with strong spirits, would appreciate – ‘but I have the heart and stomach of a king, and of a king of England too’. She pledges that she herself would take up arms if needs be. Through this, she is directly motivating her troops be showing her spirit and challenging them as ‘stronger men’ to match her spirit.

Conclusion: 3 stars. Your conclusion should be the point where your theme is really brought out, making this climax of the speech so that your audience are left with a strong impression of your central message. In this speech, the conclusion part of the speech is not particularly strong. It promises that the soldiers will be paid, which is no doubt important but not the most rousing aspect of the speech. To be fair, it does then build to its final climax, stating that they would surely have a victory, but it is still not as powerful a section as the Main Body

Closing: We do not have any closing comment, such as ‘Thank you’ or ‘God’s speed’. Most likely it simply wasn’t recorded, but undoubtedly, she would have closed with something in that vain.

Delivery: Since there is no recording of this speech, we cannot assess her delivery style. By all accounts she delivered the speech mounted on her horse so we imagine her delivery would have tried to be as authoritative as possible to ensure her soldiers accepted her as a worthy sovereign with the strength needed to win a war against the Spanish.

SPEECH TEXT:

QUEEN ELIZABETH I – SPEECH AT TILBURY, 1588

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 therefore 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 but 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 of every one of your virtues in the field.

I know already, for your forwardness you have deserved rewards and crowns; and We do assure you in the word of a prince, they shall be duly paid you. In the meantime, my lieutenant general shall be in my stead, than whom never prince commanded a more noble or worthy subject; not doubting but by your obedience to my general, by your concord in the camp, and your valour in the field, we shall shortly have a famous victory over those enemies of my God, of my kingdom, and of my people.

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Elizabeth the Rhetorician . An Analysis of the Greatest Speeches by the Virgin Queen

Myriam Di Maio

Myriam Di Maio is a Ph.D. candidate in English Literature at the University of Verona, Italy. Her major research interests are the Elizabethan and Jacobean drama and the law. She is currently focusing on the plays written by the English dramatist John Webster.

In the recent past Elizabeth Tudor’s rhetorical charisma has raised an ever-increasing interest within the academic domain. The scope of this paper is to examine the queen’s abilities to persuade and captivate her subjects, as well as her diplomatic attitudes and magniloquence; in pursuing this aim, great attention will be given to the most remarkable speeches she gave before the dignitaries of the royal crown and the English militancy, with particular regard to those rhetorical skills she learnt to master and sharpen over the years. Since the political matter was, to her, an expression of ‘inwardness,’ Elizabeth’s way of ruling has always reflected her personal vicissitudes. Looking at her public speeches with a discerning eye means probing her mind quite consciously and attempting to identify with one of the greatest sovereigns whose mark on the sixteenth century European scene remains indelible.

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• Arts & Humanities
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Rhetorical Analysis of Queen Elizabeth I*s Speech at Tilbury

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