Elizabeth I

Reflection Essay


In rhetoric the term "persona" refers to the writer's self-presentation in a text, how she makes herself come across in her words, what image or impression of herself she leaves in the mind of the reader. A skillful writer consciously controls the persona of a text depending on its audience and purpose. Elizabeth, as a master politician and rhetorician, very carefully presents the image of herself she wants her listener or reader to receive on ny given occasion.

The anthology contains various poems, letters, and speeches by Elizabeth, to a range of different readers and hearers. Study the writings carefully and then discuss the ways Elizabeth uses language to project the image of herself appropriate for the occasion.