Iknow i have the body but of a weak and feeble woman; but i have the heart and stomach of a king, and of a king of england too, and think foul scorn that parma or spain, or any prince of europe, should dare to invade the borders of my realm; to which, rather than any dishonour shall grow by me, i myself will take up arms, i myself will be your general, judge, and rewarder of every one of your virtues in the field.

–address to the troops at tilbury,
queen elizabeth i

what is queen elizabeth's purpose in this passage?

to inform the troops of their orders for the upcoming battle
to persuade the troops that they should invade spain
to inform the troops about past kings of england
to persuade the troops that she is a capable commander

'and therefore I am come amongst you, as you see, at this time, not for my recreation and disport, but being resolved, in the midst and heat of the battle, to live and die amongst you all; to lay down for my God, and for my kingdom, and my people, my honour and my blood, even in the dust.', said Queen Elizabeth I when she addressed the troops at Tilbury.

Before battles, it is common for the troops to be addressed by those in command to reassure their presence and loyalty and motivate soldiers for the fight.

In her speech, the Queen's purpose is to persuade the troops that she is a capable commander: loyal, brave, willing to live and die for her subjects and for the honor or her country. Her is speech is celebrated till this day.

active voice: my father cut the tree.

passive voice: the tree was cut by my father.

active voice: people buy newspapers every day.

passive voice: newspapers are bought (by people) every day.

active voice: people have been using movies as political propaganda since world war ii.

passive voice: movies have been used as political propaganda since world war ii.

active voice: donna gave me my birthday present.

passive voice: i was given my birthday present (by donna). / my birthday present was given to me (by donna).

active voice: mom will leave the keys on the counter.

passive voice: the keys will be left (by mom) on the counter.

the words in parentheses are the agent of the passive voice and can be omitted when obvious, generic, or simply unnecessary.