Speech to the Troops at Tilbury

Queen Elizabeth I

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.
1. In paragraph 2, why is it important to emphasize that Queen Elizabeth was present
with the troops? How did she make it into a symbol?

The fact that Queen Elizabeth was present with the troops is really meaningful to me.
Because that demonstrates how great a queen she is. And by joining them, she proves
her bravery and love for her people. That is why it not only makes her people feel good,
but it also makes them feel important, cherished, and respected. And Queen Elizabeth's
presence acts as a motivation to the troops to fight with heart and courage for the
freedom and love of the people of England. And because of what Queen Elizabeth did
before the battle, people look up to her more, making her a symbol of a respected and
compassionate queen for her people.

2. How does she use pathos and ethos in the same paragraph?
- Queen Elizabeth I, in my opinion, uses pathos by making her people feel that
they are important, convey herself as an equal to her people and she are willing to die
for them. That is why, through her strong speech, she was able to connect with her
people, particularly her soldiers. Because the speech she read in front of her soldiers
and people not only inspires soldiers to fight for them, but it also gives the sense that
the queen is doing all of this to express her desire to protect her people and kingdom.
This strengthens the trust and respect she receives from those around her. And she
used ethos in her speech by considering her nature and status as a queen; because
she is a queen and has authority over her soldiers, she is credible and has authority,
and that authority is what drives her to give her speech in order to inspire her people
and make them believe that they will win the battle. Queen Elizabeth proved her
supremacy and authority over the people by physically standing in front of the troops
and delivering her speech.

3. Why does she tell them that they will be victorious? What is her purpose?
- I think she wants to tell them that they will be victorious, because she wants
them to understand that she wholeheartedly trusts and believes in them, and as a
queen, she wants to inspire her soldiers to think that they can win the battle. Because
the soldiers were meant to feel Queen Elizabeth I inspiration and love for her people, as
well as her refusal to give up in the face of battle.

4. Did you find the speech inspiring? Why or why not?

Yes. Because it inspires me as a youth and a woman who aspires to serve my
fellow citizens in the future. Because, as we can see, the majority of previous leaders
were men. However, Queen Elizabeth proves that, despite being a woman, she is
capable of being a leader, queen, and king at the same time. To serve and protect her
kingdom from England invaders. Her willingness to die in battle for her kingdom is what
most inspires me. Because it proves that in order to become a great leader, one must
be willing to make sacrifices for her/his own, even if it means sacrificing oneself
because we are doing it for God, our kingdom/country, and the people we will serve.

5. Why has this speech stood the test of time?

This speech stood the test of time in order to remember and appreciate how
important, respected, and great Queen Elizabeth 1 was during her reign. Also,
historians believe that her appearance at the battle was much more important than her
speech because it proves that Queen Elizabeth 1 sees honor to be her innermost core
as a queen and is willing to sacrifice herself, body and soul, to England in order to
protect her kingdom and people.