ElizabethⅠ.doc

Achievements And Faults of Queen Elizabeth 课程名称：英国历史文化院系班级：英语学院11级12班姓名学号：李雪薇 118111226Achievements And Faults of Queen Elizabeth When at junior high, our history teacher had already told us that we should always judge a person objectively. While he or she is seemingly successful, then there will always be some cruel facts that can spoil his or her reputation. And Queen Elizabeth couldnt be an exception.The age during Elizabeths reign is called Elizabethan Age, or the Golden Age. People entitled the last half of the 16th century this name due to Elizabeths personal character and influence in all aspects of peoples lives at that time. Sure, she had contributed a lot.She never married during her lifetime. She knew a husband may control England, her country, by controlling her, so she would never marry for the sake of her country and her subjects. Before her reign, England was only a small island country, but it was she who made England rise abruptly. Her ambition made England gain the supremacy on sea, and later enter the arena of world trade and colonization, which England would dominate for the next three centuries. It was all owing to her lifetime dedication. I wont believe it when a woman says that she doesnt want the happiness of marriage and even a family, but she managed to do it, absolutely.She was exceptionally a learned queen. Her governesses included the most outstanding scholars of that age. Her broad interests ranging from history and science to art, literature and philosophy encouraged the true cultural reawakening or renaissance of thought, art, and vision. A large number of great playwrights such as William Shakespeare appeared, and drama as a new form of literature reached its highest peak of achievement for all time. Theatre appeared, people enjoyed the cultural pageantry. These all came from Elizabeths inspiration. But actually, she had faults also.In spite of the most glorious victory in the history of England over the mighty Spanish Armada in 1588, some historians depict Elizabeth as a short-tempered, sometimes indecisive ruler, who enjoyed more than her share of luck. People always focus on the great fame in 1588, ignoring years that followed. In fact, she had military problems after the triumph in 1588. In 1589, and from1595 to 1596, the navy of England experienced great losses. History says she is an astute political strategist, but the fact is that facing confusing situation, Elizabeth always performed hesitantly. If she was astute enough, then shed be steadfast enough, and the navy wouldnt bear such great losses.Todays division between England and Ireland is also the aftermath of her rule. At that time, Ireland believed in Catholic, but England was a Protestant country. When Elizabeth was excommunicated from Catholic Church, she sped up the persecution over Catholics in Ireland. So in the last years of her reign, there were a series of uprisings in Ireland. At that time, she made it that she hold it under her control. But nowadays, you could easily see, the problem is tough, and people in Ireland have suffered a lot in the past political violence. That was because of her unwisdom, again.Believe it or not, she acquiesced in slave trade. She once scolded her favourite for trading slaves, but when she saw him get much profit from it, she didnt condemn him anymore, and even provided ships for him. This greatly encouraged English merchants who did business on black people later, which largely led to todays racial discrimination. How could she did that! All the racial discrimination in America nowadays resulted from her! How many black people have suffered because of her decision! She was a guilty person without any doubt.Though de