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Queen Elizabeth 1 Rhetorical Analysis

Decent Essays

The mastery of rhetoric sets prominent leaders apart from ordinary people. The ruler of England, Queen Elizabeth (1558-1603), shows this powerful trait through her leadership of England, bringing it to a golden age within 45 years despite being a woman. She delivered the “Speech to the Troops at Tilbury” with the intent to eradicate any form of treachery residing in the army, as well as to warn the soldiers of an imminent attack from King Philip II of Spain. Fortunately for England, the threatening Spanish Armada never reached the shores of Britain. Her clever use of rhetorical strategies such as ethos and pathos animates the soldiers to fight until their last breath for England. Elizabeth I utilizes various rhetorical strategies through …show more content…

When opening her speech, she informs the soldiers of how she was advised to have “fear for treachery” however she still addresses the soldiers as “faithful and loving people” (Elizabeth I). This act of prowess not only adds to her credibility, but also creates guilt for those who chose to abandon them. By addressing this problem, Elizabeth I effectively teaches soldiers the foolishness of turning against them and urges those who have to conform again. She also injects patriotism in her troops through the discussion of their dilemma, saying she “think[s] foul scorn that Parma or Spain, or any prince of Europe, should dare to invade the borders of [her] realm”. Using words with negative connotation such as “foul scorn” to describe the enemies builds hatred in the soldiers; this hatred obliges them to defeat the enemy regardless of other factors. This also puts England on a pedestal, stating how much of a crime it would be to invade such a glorious country, which further boosts the soldiers’ patriotism. This further If all fails, the queen promises an award for more materialistic soldiers. Elizabeth I offers a materialistic reward for those not interested in morals. When describing the future of the country and the soldiers, she tells the them they “deserv[e] rewards and

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