Master Of Rhetoric And Oration Of Queen Elizabeth I

Queen Elizabeth I was a master of rhetoric and oration. She had to be proficient in persuasion and captivating her audience as a prominent leader. Two of her most significant speeches include her Tilbury Speech in 1588 and the Golden Speech in 1601. Both played their own roles in the political scheme at the time, but brought out important characteristics of Elizabeth’s character, such as her frustration with Parliament and her pride in her country and her kingship.
The Tilbury Speech is said to have been given to rally troops at Tilbury in fear of invasion of the Spanish Armada. There was a significant rivalry between Spain and England, or, more specifically, King Phillip II of Spain and Queen Elizabeth I, especially due to the ongoing Catholicism

She labels herself a “weak and feeble woman,” calling out her biggest weakness in the eyes of the people. She then powerfully juxtaposes this idea with her “heart and stomach of a king,” purposefully choosing not to identify herself as a queen . To label herself as a queen is to eliminate her own power; Elizabeth knows how little respect queens get. Being king means equal respect. This is why Elizabeth calls herself a king: because she gains more respect, and it is more familiar for the people to refer to their sovereign as kingly. This speech functions as the key to connection for Elizabeth with her people. Her subjects are extremely wary of Elizabeth’s power, but through the Tilbury Speech, she is able to acknowledge their concerns while presenting and protecting a united front of strength. Before any battle, a pep talk is necessary, and this is Elizabeth’s call to rally the troops, not just to fight, but to rally behind her. During this speech, she projects her authority by dressing in a suit of armor. The speech allows her to ally herself with her people, and for them to gain comfort and respect for

However, this is just hindsight bias influencing history. Elizabeth spoke from her faith and love for her country, and was clearly proud of the work she had done. The Golden Speech follows patterns of many of Elizabeth’s speeches: present her wit, rise above the anti-women constructs, highlight the God-given reign, and demonstrate her love for England. Even as a woman, Elizabeth is a prince put on the throne by God, which she recognized in every speech. In the Golden Speech, she recognizes that throughout her life and her strife, she has persevered, and “it is God that hath delivered [her].” Her wit is demonstrated through her masterful use of rhetoric; she was a stronger orator than most other kings of her