elizabeth 1 speech

Elizabeth I employed various effective rhetorical devices in addition to utilizing a strong, reassuring tone and a simple yet convincing structure in the speech she delivered to her troops in the field in order to win their affection, respect and make them believe that she indeed cares for some other than herself.
An example of the rhetorical devices she used is compassionate word diction. She describes her people as “loving” and “faithful” in order to prove she sees her people’s kind nature at heart. Her usage of the verb “assure” in saying “I assure you” forces people to automatically trust her as a leader and her intentions. Elizabeth also uses the pronoun “our” as means of placing herself amongst the people and leveling out the evident hierarchy between her and the commoners, solidifying these ties by announcing “I am come amongst you [her people].” It makes her followers feel more united and prioritized. Despite her being a woman, Elizabeth describes herself using allusion to a “judge,” “general” and “rewarder,” which not only give her position strength but also induces respect from her audience and reinforces her leadership, especially that she undermines her bodily “weakness” as a woman and depicts extreme care and concern for her people.” Finally, she compliments her commoner audience by describing them as ones who possess “virtues” worth rewarding, “obedient”, ones of “concord” and “valor,” which reinforces her appreciation of her people how highly she regards them.
In terms of tone, Elizabeth adopts a masculine, imperative, reassuring, caring and defensive tone, where she tries to make her people feel safe, cared for and perhaps induces their reconsideration of her alleged “canny” qualities she possesses as a leader. Elizabeth is extremely defensive of her people, threatening anyone who “dares”—as she claims—to “invade” her borders. She is also very confident; that is evident in her