British politics: history, systems, and contemporary issues

Elizabeth I-Movie

Since the invention of cinema in the twentieth century one of the favorite subjects of the moviemakers has been to spread out historic myths and events. The movie Elizabeth released on 13th November 1998 is directed by Shehkar Kapoor. The film is of 124 minutes long. It is the story of Queen Elizabeth I, who ruled England for 45 years from 1558 to 1603. Role of Elizabeth is played by Cate Blanchett. The period shown in the film is mid sixteen century and the location is England. The film is about how Elizabeth I got to the throne, the early days of her struggle as queen of England and Ireland and the troubles she faced to maintain her reign. The film may be categorized as history and romance.

The film begins in the last days of Queen Mary, who was a fanatic Catholic as a result there was tussle between churches in England. The country was instable financially as well. Queen Mary was basically jealous of her half sister Elizabeth and even imprisoned her in the tower of London. During her period Mary tried to get rid of Elizabeth even going to the extent of killing Elizabeth but failed. But Mary dies soon and Elizabeth being next in line is crowned at the age of 23. People take a sigh of relief on getting rid of the unsympathetic rule of Mary. Elizabeth was also blissful to get out of the penitentiary and to become a queen.

Elizabeth now being queen had revived her affair with her childhood beloved Lord Robert Dudely. But the country was in bad shape economically; armed forces were under serious threat from abroad. So Sir William Cecil her chief advisor solicited Elizabeth to give more time to state affairs than to her love life. He even suggested her to that strengthened her rule she should either get married to French Duc d'Anjou or King Phillip II of Spain. Ultimately she declines both offers.

Then a progression of crisis breaks on her thrown and person. French Queen attacks from the Scotland side after a great debate between pro- war and Anti-war lobbyist decision to fight on is made but is met with a defeat.

There were even attempts on her life on a beautiful summer night when she was enjoying the company of Dudely by River Tames and arrow missing her head killed one of her guard.

In another attempt Queen France to avenge Elizabeth's refusal to marry her nephew sent her a gift of a gorgeous French silk dress laced with poison. Again to the good fortune of Elizabeth, she escapes and instead, her lady-in-waiting dies. To take revenge, Elizabeth sends his emissary Walsingham to Scotland who seduces Mary and kills her. So, she succeeds in her plan and Mary of France is killed in bed.

In between all this, her romance with Dudely becomes more intense and pronounced. The love panorama looks stronger and stronger. At this juncture Elizabeth-Dudely romance suffers a setback when Elizabeth learns that Dudely is secretly married to another woman. Elizabeth turns away from Dudely and develops a new bond with Walsingham.

Having her trusted friend Walsingham on her side she strikes back with complete might and considerate planning. She destroys all threat to her dominion, and her crown is protected after great efforts finally. On her next appearance to in front of her subjects she is admired as an astonishing, invulnerable, invincible, legendry Virgin Queen of England.

The 45 years rule of Elizabeth, the daughter of King Henry and Anne Boleyn is remembered as The Elizabethan Era by the historians. During this era by securing the monarchy the future road map of England was out lined. The developments in the fields of institution building, commercial activities and dealing with the strong influential forces or the Church by establishing Protestantism the achievements appreciated even by the historians of today.

At the time when Elizabeth took over the as the Queen England, one of the main challenge faced by her was how to tackle the strong religious hierarchy. Mary as fundamentalist Catholic was harsh in dealing the region ordered to kill many Protestants creating resentment amongst the subjects. To settle the religious uprising Elizabeth I took the various opposing religious groups calmly in her court she passed many laws. (Palmer, 1988) In 1559 the Act of Uniformity was made to help establish a uniform English litany for religious practices. In 1563 an act consisting of thirty-nine articles was passed the act of she passed which officially separated Roman Catholic and Anglican Church. She tried to suppress the Catholic conspiracy backed by her cousin Mary of Scots in the north of the country and ordered to kill her and many Catholics.