A Rhetorical Analysis Of Queen Elizabeth's Tilbury Speech

Queen Elizabeth’s Tilbury Speech Analysis
For many years, and even currently, the thought of women in a position of power is unsettling. Queen Elizabeth I was a woman of her people. She presented a riveting speech to the men of the British army motivating and preparing her troops for the upcoming battle against the Spanish Armada, in 1588. Her speech involved a plethora of rhetorical devices to encourage a positive reaction from the troops. The top three rhetorical devices she used the most to evoke pathos were juxtaposition, anaphora, and enumeration. Throughout her speech there are several phrases used effectively to strike emotion. Juxtaposition was used many times throughout the Queen’s speech. She talks to her troops with rousing dialect

Her words and dialogue are described as “passionate” and “electric”, but why? Enumeration is used to amplify the subject of speech by listing all the aspects of the subject to enhance its importance, just like the famous speech of Martin Luther King's, “I Have A Dream,” portrayed. To proclaim the significance of her personally working with these men she claims,”...I myself will be your general, judge, and rewarder of every one of your virtues in the field,” (lines 17-18). To listen to, or even read, the listing and repetition of words all pertaining to one person or meaning only amplifies its significance in how she is physically there with her men, working by their side, rather than giving orders with no regard to them personally. “...Not doubting but by your obedience to my general, by your concord, in the camp, and your valor in the field, we shall shortly have a famous victory over those enemies of my God, of my kingdom, and of my people,”(lines 23-26). This shows another example of her intensifying her claim and passion for the upcoming battle and her empathy for her troops and the people of her kingdom as one whole. Enumeration and intensification of her dialogue captured and held the attention of her troops, while speaking directly to them on a personal