Speech to the Troops at Tilbury

S- supporting the troops

O- 1588, before attack on Spanish Armada

A-soldiers

P- to encourage, to support, to relate

S- Queen Elizabeth

T- brave, proud, thankful

By reviewing the SOAPST, the viewer will be able to better understand the purpose of the speech. By simply reading the speech, any viewer would understand that Queen Elizabeth is trying to encourage the soldiers to prepare for battle. However, the viewer may not realize Queen Elizabeth’s attempt to show the soldiers that she is willing to fight for England, even after she calls herself “ a weak and feeble woman (41).” Queen Elizabeth is trying to prove to the soldiers that anyone will be able to fight, as long as they are fighting proudly for their country. SOAPST helps viewers realize that this speech was given before the invasion on the Spanish Armada, a major victory for the English. Due to this event, Queen Elizabeth notices that each soldier will need to fight harder than ever before. She thanks the troops for all they have done and assures them that they will be rewarded for their services.

The speech does serve its purpose. The speech was meant to encourage the soldiers to fight courageously during the battle. Queen Elizabeth says, “I have placed my chiefest strength and safeguard in the loyal hearts and good-will of my subjects (40).” By stating these words, Queen Elizabeth reassures the confidence she places on the soldiers. In order to guarantee that the soldiers will fight as hard as they can, she provides an incentive by claiming that they will be rewarded for all of their work. Queen Elizabeth uses the word “we” in order to show the soldiers that she is an ordinary person who is willing to fight for her country.