The below poems and the speech were all written or spoken by Queen Elizabeth I. Consider similarities between these and other poems that you've read in this unit. Do you notice any differences that might be attributed to gender?
Verses written with a diamond (1563)
Queen Elizabeth I
In her imprisonment at Woodstock, these verses she wrote with her diamond in a glass window:
Much suspected by me, Nothing proved can be. Quod* Elizabeth the prisoner On Monsieur’s Departure (ca. 1582; pub. 1823)
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* Quod, is British slang for prison (it originally referred to the shape of Newgate prison) and can be a pronoun in Latin meaning something along the lines of "that which was demonstrated" or "sayeth.". *“Stark” severe or bare in appearance or outline. (SH34) **“Prate” Verb. Means to talk excessively and pointlessly, to babble. (JH34) *“Rue” in line 10 means to feel sorrow over or regret. (TK30) *“Henceforth” means from this time on or from that time. (KT1) *“Pug” term of endearment; a bargeman. (DM33) **“Wert” is the archaic past tense of be. (RC30) ***“Wat” is another term for rabbit, and this case is a term of endearment, but also diminutive, for Ralegh (EG5) ****“Fickle” in line 27 means likely to change. (TK31) *“Rede” Noun. Means a plane or a scheme. (JH35) *“Brackish” in line 40, means slightly salty or unpleasant. (MK35) *“Chiefest” means first or foremost; principal (KT2) *"Parma" is a city in Northern Italy (DM32) |