A Rhetorical Analysis Of Queen Elizabeth's Speech

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Just barely twenty years old, Queen Elizabeth came into power during a time where few thought a woman could be a successful ruler. However, she defied all odds, bringing stability and power to her nation, allowing her to be seen as Britain’s greatest monarch. Her greatness stems primarily from her devote leadership skills epitomized in her speech in which she personally delivered to her troops, proving her to be an inspirational leader. As she stood in front of them, dressed in her white gown and silver breast plate, Elizabeth’s speech prepared her troops for the Spanish Armada heading their way in hopes of invading England. Along with preparing her troops and informing them of what was to come, Elizabeth’s words also persuaded her troops to trust in her and …show more content…

From the beginning of her reign she has placed her strength in the “loyal hearts and good will” of her subjects (285). She follows this by informing her troops that she will be lying down her honor and pride for her kingdom, her people, and her God. This gains the trust of her audience from the beginning and ensures their engagement and active participation throughout the rest of her speech. As she continues on, she uses the appeal to her audience’s emotions by describing herself as a feeble woman with the heart of a king which speaks to the patriarchal English society of the time. She promises her troops that she will take up arms herself if any foreign ruler dare to invader her borders. She reassures them that she will instruct them as their general, council them like a judge, and reward them for every one of their victories on the battlefield. She then praises them for all they have already done and promises them that they will be paid for their prior accomplishments and those that are yet to come. This instills a sense of pride into her troops and enables them to realize that their duties are not going

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