1a. What warns the queen to avoid the "snares" that may harm her?
2a. According to line 3, how are the feelings of the queen's subjects changing?
3a. What does she call her kingdom in line 13? Will Elizabeth allow her opponents to seek shelter in England?
4a. What traits of Elizabeth are displayed in this poem?
5a. Judge whether the actions Elizabeth describes in lines 15–16 are justified.
1b. What are some potential "snares" that may harm the queen?
2b. How do her subjects' feelings make the queen feel about the likelihood of maintaining her position?
3b. How does Elizabeth feel her kingdom would change under the would-be leaders? Is Elizabeth's decision about not allowing her opponents into the country a wise one? Why, or why not?
4b. Why are these traits important in a leader?
5b. Do you agree with what Elizabeth says in lines 15-16? Would your response be different if she were a male leader?
Metaphor. Look at line 3 of the selection. What subtle metaphor is the queen using in reference to her situation? Does this metaphor help to illustrate the situation? How?
Aim. What is this poem's primary purpose? Does it succeed? If so, how does the poem achieve its purpose?
1. Write a paragraph that summarizes the ideas Elizabeth presents in this poem.
2. Choose a recent or ongoing national or world event. Write a poem that expresses your feelings about this event.
3. Imagine that you are either a supporter of the queen or one of her enemies. Write a speech to garner support for your side. In your speech, respond to, or address, the ideas Elizabeth presents in this poem.
Double Negatives. Rewrite and correct the following sentences to avoid double negatives.
1. Queen Elizabeth I was not hardly a pushover.
2. She wouldn't never give up the throne easily.
3. Mary, Queen of Scots, did not have no chance of deceiving the queen of England.
4. Queen Elizabeth I didn't have no friends that she trusted absolutely.
5. None of her subjects never got away with betrayal neither.
Researching Elizabeth and Mary. Find encyclopedia articles or books about Queen Elizabeth I and Mary, Queen of Scots. Make a brief list describing the major events of each queen's life.
Research Log
Sources Used:
Questioning. Read the Language Arts Survey 1.12, "Seeking Knowledge as an Active Reader." Then choose an encyclopedia entry or a chapter of a book from the Study and Research activity you completed about Queen Elizabeth I and Mary, Queen of Scots. Write six questions to bear in mind as you read one of your sources.
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