"Speech to the Troops at Tilbury"

In Queen Elizabeth I’s moving speech, “Speech to the Troops at Tilbury,” she stands dressed in armor and speaks to her outnumbered troops. She is able to successfully communicate with the troops because she emotionally connects to them and makes herself appear as though she is one of them, from her physical appearance and body language to her diction and syntax. The subject of this speech is the war the outnumbered English troops were preparing for against the Spanish Armada, the most intimidating naval force in the world at the time. The occasion is the battlefront of the war in Tilbury in 1588. The Queen’s intended audience was the English troops present at the battlefront. Her purpose was to inspire, encourage, and instill optimism into the troops. By infusing confidence, she is able to persuade the hopeless troops that they have the capability to defeat the world’s most daunting naval force. Queen Elizabeth I of England is the speaker. The tone she uses is promising, expectant, and invincible. During this speech, Queen Elizabeth speaks as though she is determined to do whatever it takes to defeat the Spanish Armada because she knows her troops are capable of doing it. The SOAPST of this piece of literature is able to help the audience understand how much she is willing to do for her country. Queen Elizabeth says, “I know I have the body but of a weak and feeble woman; but I have the heart and stomach of a king of England too,” (1) letting the troops know that she is disposed to fighting for her country. She is able to connect with her audience and ends the speech with calling them “my people,” (1) reminding them that even though she is one of them, she is also superior. This piece is effective for the intended audience and purpose because it increases the troops’ will to fight, and was shown on the battlefield.