Rhetorical Analysis Of Speech To The Troops At Tilbury

E. Alexandria Echavarria-Mariscal

Professor Ryan Sarehkhani

English 100

April 8, 2015

In the late summer of 1588, Queen Elizabeth I of England delivered a memorable speech known as “Speech to the Troops at Tilbury”. The point of this speech was to encourage her soldiers who were destined to fight the Spanish Armada, to be brave and no matter what the outcome would be that she was very proud to be at their side as their Queen. This speech was also an attempt to prove that she was capable of being their leader even though she was a woman. In a monarchy mainly ruled by men, she wanted to establish her place as leader supporting her people. Not only did she fully support them, she was actually there at the battlefront of Tilbury in Essex dressed

Much like in all speeches, pathos is the “attention grabber” and for this particular speech the use of Elizabeth’s raw emotion definitely grabs the attention from her audience to show them that she is willing to die for her people and her kingdom. She uses this dynamic pledge, “in the midst and heat of the battle, to live and die amongst you all” to imply that she wants to fight and shed blood to relate to her loyal soldiers and experience the pain and glory of war. Another example of her use of pathos is when she describes to herself to having “a body but of a weak and feeble woman, but I have the heart and stomach of a king, and a king of England too”. She establishes a sense of character in this phrase because she wants to illustrate a masculine identity to maintain a sense of authority and just because she is physically a woman, she still has the heart and stomach of a king. Elizabeth wants to emphasize that no matter what gender she is, she is still a leader and she wants her people to treat her as such because they are fighting together in unity as one

In essence, from analyzing her speech she still makes a defining use of logos by combining both religious and financial security. She uses religion by the repetition of “my God”. As monarch of the kingdom, and her right to rule, she indicates that God is on her side. Illustrating that with God by her side she gives the notion that God will be on their side as well. This implies that she knows her place as the Queen of England and that the use of religion will impact the way of her people’s thinking. Especially since religion was a priority in that time. The use of logos regarding financial security is when she addresses, “I know, already for your forwardness you have deserved rewards and crowns; and We do not assure you in the word of a prince, they shall be duly paid you”, she wants to ensure that they will be glorified with riches because much like in all battles, financial security is unstable due to the costs of weapons and supplies needed to prepare. This motive was successful because it gave her men more motivation and courage to be victorious. Using these two examples as logos indicates how intelligent Elizabeth was for the sake and dedication of her kingdom. As stated she may not have the physical appearance of a man but as a ruler she fit the criteria because not only was her kingdom victorious, it was also the defining moment for Queen Elizabeth I to be known as