Elizabeth I’s Farewell Speech

The Golden Speech was one of Queen Elizabeth’s most memorable speeches given during her lifetime. Queen Elizabeth I’s Farewell speech was given in the Palace Council Chamber to 141 Members of the Commons (including the Speaker), on 30 November 1601. People originally thought the speech was going to be about the financial concerns over the increasing amount of monopolies. It turned out to be her farewell speech as she had declining health and would not live for much longer. She died 16 months later and was later succeeded by her distant cousin as a ruler of England. Queen Elizabeth delivers the theme of goodbye using symbolism, metaphors, and other literary devices.

One major point that Elizabeth made in her speech was to thank all the people for their love for her. She used symbolism to emphasize how much she treasured their love for her. “There is no jewel, be it of never so rich a price, which I set before this jewel: I mean your love.” (Paragraph 1) She said that she preferred the love of her subjects over any kind of riches. She even uses divine intervention by mentioning God and how he made her Queen. “This makes me that I do not so much rejoice that God hath made me to be a Queen, as to be a Queen over so thankful a people.” (Paragraph 1) She said that God made her a Queen so thankful of her people. Queen Elizabeth I was a Queen that loved the people, and the people loved her.

Another theme that the Queen communicated was the theme of upholding justice in the land of England. She uses the literary device of divine intervention to tell her subjects that she would protect them from all harm. “I shall be his instrument to preserve you from every peril, dishonour, shame, tyranny and oppression” (Paragraph 1) Elizabeth thought of herself as sent by God to help the people of England. She also swore to bring to justice those who did harm to her subjects. “Shall they, think you, escape unpunished that have oppressed you, and have been respectless of their duty and regardless our honour?” Elizabeth made sure that no crime would go unpunished an that people could live in a time of peace and prosperity. Queen Elizabeth oversaw a Golden Age of England, and she strove to uphold the justice of the land.

Queen Elizabeth I was one of the greatest rulers of England, and she started a whole dynasty of Queens who took her name. The Golden Speech marked the end of England’s Golden Age as the Queen was largely responsible for it. Throughout the speech we can see the theme of love between the Queen and her subjects. We can also see the theme of justice throughout England. Hopefully, all world leaders will share the same passion for keeping justice and have the same relationship with their subjects.

The National Archives. “The Golden Speech.” The National Archives, The National Archives, 13 Sept. 2016, www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/education/resources/elizabeth-monarchy/the-golden-speech/.