Cate Blanchett Analysis
Despite the film’s historical inaccuracies, it was entertaining because of its ability to oversimplify the plot and its focus on the romance and action of the period. Similar to the first film, Cate Blanchett perfectly embodies regal Queen Elizabeth and is attired in splendid costumes that drew my eye almost more than the scene itself. However, I couldn’t get over the fact that in order to promote the romantic angle of the plot, that Elizabeth appears to be and acts like a woman of 30 years instead of 50. She wouldn’t have been pursuing a sexual relationship with Raleigh with the age difference between them, and likely wouldn’t have been jealous of Bess. Historically, Raleigh was also less of a glorified action hero, but for the sake of the
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Firstly, I was confused by the fact that while globes and maps were located in almost every room, there seemed to be no effort to hide them from the Spanish, their rivals in the age of exploration. It was interesting to notice the prevalence of globes throughout the movie given the background from our readings, and realize the significance of their presence to Elizabethan people. It also bothered me that the Protestant altars were much more decorated that the more simplistic Catholic ones. Elizabeth is seen praying in front of a large stained glass window, surrounding by golden candelabras and flowers. On the other hand, the Catholic assassins, the Spanish cathedral, and Mary’s altar and chalice are all exceedingly bare, which is in conflict with our reading from Chapter 2. There also was little more than a brief glance of any silverware in the movie, and nothing as expensive or long as the iron fork from Chapter 3. While a metal utensil briefly appears at the banquet scene, Elizabeth doesn’t even touch it and instead eats with her fingers, as the English were accustomed to. It was also confusing how not all the men at court were armed with a sword. Although in the one instance swords were drawn in defense of the Queen’s honor against the Spanish ambassadors, they were rarely exercised, and sometimes not even worn, elsewhere in the movie. I was also mildly surprised that
Firstly, I was confused by the fact that while globes and maps were located in almost every room, there seemed to be no effort to hide them from the Spanish, their rivals in the age of exploration. It was interesting to notice the prevalence of globes throughout the movie given the background from our readings, and realize the significance of their presence to Elizabethan people. It also bothered me that the Protestant altars were much more decorated that the more simplistic Catholic ones. Elizabeth is seen praying in front of a large stained glass window, surrounding by golden candelabras and flowers. On the other hand, the Catholic assassins, the Spanish cathedral, and Mary’s altar and chalice are all exceedingly bare, which is in conflict with our reading from Chapter 2. There also was little more than a brief glance of any silverware in the movie, and nothing as expensive or long as the iron fork from Chapter 3. While a metal utensil briefly appears at the banquet scene, Elizabeth doesn’t even touch it and instead eats with her fingers, as the English were accustomed to. It was also confusing how not all the men at court were armed with a sword. Although in the one instance swords were drawn in defense of the Queen’s honor against the Spanish ambassadors, they were rarely exercised, and sometimes not even worn, elsewhere in the movie. I was also mildly surprised that