Queen Elizabeth I’s Speech to the Troops at Tilbury, 1588 - My loving people,

We have been persuaded by some that are careful of our safety, to
take heed how we commit ourselves to armed multitudes, for fear of
treachery; but I assure you I do not desire to live to distrust my faithful and
loving people.

Let tyrants fear, I have always so behaved myself that, under
God, I have placed my chiefest strength and safeguard in the loyal hearts
and good-will of my subjects; and therefore I am come amongst you, as you
see, at this time, not for my recreation and disport, but being resolved, in
the midst and heat of the battle, to live and die amongst you all; to lay down
for my God, and for my kingdom, and my people, my honour and my blood,
even in the dust.

I know I have the body but of a weak and feeble woman;
but I have the heart and stomach of a king, and of a king of England too,
and think foul scorn that Parma or Spain, or any prince of Europe, should
dare to invade the borders of my realm; to which rather than any dishonour
shall grow by me,

I myself will take up arms, I myself will be your general,
judge, and rewarder of every one of your virtues in the field. I know already,
for your forwardness you have deserved rewards and crowns; and We do
assure you in the word of a prince, they shall be duly paid you.

In the mean time, my lieutenant general shall be in my stead, than whom never prince
commanded a more noble or worthy subject; not doubting but by your
obedience to my general, by your concord in the camp, and your valour in
the field, we shall shortly have a famous victory over those enemies of my
God, of my kingdom, and of my people.

1. How does Queen Elizabeth I use the audience’s faith and belief in God as a way to convince them to believe and agree with her?
2. What do you know about the audience based on the information of this speech?
3. Who does Queen Elizabeth I specifically target?
4. Identify an appeal to pathos.