Elizabeth: The Golden Age (2007)

Cate Blanchett: Queen Elizabeth I

Photos 

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Quotes 

• Queen Elizabeth I : Go back to your rathole! Tell Philip I fear neither him, nor his priests, nor his armies. Tell him if he wants to shake his little fist at us, we're ready to give him such a bite he'll wish he'd kept his hands in his pockets!

  Don Guerau De Spes : You see a leaf fall, and you think you know which way the wind blows. Well, there is a wind coming, Madame, that will sweep away your pride.

  [turns to leave with his ministers] 

  Queen Elizabeth I : I, too, can command the wind, sir! I have a hurricane in me that will strip Spain bare if you dare to try me!

• Queen Elizabeth I : Please, just give me hope.

  Dr. John Dee : The forces that shape our world are greater than all of us, Majesty. How can I promise that they'll conspire in your favor even though you are the Queen? But this much I know. When the storm breaks, each man acts in accordance with his own nature. Some are dumb with terror. Some flee. Some hide. And some spread their wings like eagles and soar on the wind.

  Queen Elizabeth I : You are a wise man, Dr. Dee.

  Dr. John Dee : And you, Madame, are a very great lady.

• Queen Elizabeth I : My bitches wear my collars!

• [after an expedition in the New World, Raleigh has founded a colony] 

  Walter Raleigh : We have named it Virginia, after our Virgin Queen.

  Queen Elizabeth I : "Virginia"? And when I am married, will you rename it to "Conjugia"?

• Queen Elizabeth I : How many Catholics are there in England, sir?

  Cabinet Minister #1 : [snorting]  Immense numbers, Majesty.

  Cabinet Minister #2 : Half the nation cling to the old superstitions.

  Queen Elizabeth I : What would you have me do? Hang half the people in England, or just imprison them?

  Cabinet Minister #2 : We must act, Majesty! Our inaction is perceived as weakness!

  Queen Elizabeth I : If my people break the law, they shall be punished. Until that day, they shall be protected.

  Cabinet Minister #1 : Majesty, we have proven reason to fear every Catholic in the...

  Queen Elizabeth I : [cutting in]  Fear creates fear. I am not ignorant of the dangers, sir. But I will not punish my people for their beliefs. Only for their deeds. I am assured that the people of England love their Queen. My constant endeavor is to earn that love.

• [from trailer] 

  Queen Elizabeth I : By God, England will not fall while I am Queen.

• Sir Francis Walsingham : Forgive me, Your Majesty, I have failed you.

  Queen Elizabeth I : How have you failed me? What am I to forgive you for?

  Sir Francis Walsingham : Phillip of Spain is a God-fearing man who cannot declare war without a just cause. I intercepted every letter Mary Stuart secretly dispatched, but failed to see Spain knew I was reading them. They waited for her to write the words that in my eyes would confirm her treason.

  Sir Francis Walsingham : [ashamed]  Forgive me. I am trapped in my own web.

  Queen Elizabeth I : And I ordered Mary's execution. I murdered God's anointed Queen. And now God's most dutiful son makes Holy War to punish me.

• Queen Elizabeth I : Do we discover the New World or does the New World discover us?

  Sir Walter Raleigh : You speak like a true explorer.

• Sir Christopher Hatton : Be warned by the atrocities in France! God-fearing Christians murdered by Papist cut-throats inflamed by hatred of the truth!

  Lord Howard : We know the Catholics take their orders from Spain. The Spanish speak openly of Mary Stuart as Queen of England in waiting.

  Queen Elizabeth I : [sharply]  Mary Stuart is a Queen cast out by her own ungrateful nation.

  Sir Christopher Hatton : With respect, Majesty: a Catholic Queen. Your loyal Protestant supporters don't understand why Mary Stuart lives under our protection at our expense. Very considerable expense.

  Queen Elizabeth I : Mary Stuart is my cousin. She is our guest. And she is under our control.

  Lord Howard : But while she lives, Majesty, she is a beacon that draws our enemies' eyes and hopes.

  Queen Elizabeth I : [speculating]  While she lives?

  Sir Christopher Hatton : She is the poison at the heart of England. The poison must be cut out.

  Queen Elizabeth I : You'd have me make a martyr of her. What is her crime?

• Sir Francis Walsingham : I care for your safety. The threat to your person are real.

  Queen Elizabeth I : You know very well if I fall, you'll all come tumbling down after me.

• Queen Elizabeth I : May we have wisdom not to fear shadows in the night, and courage when the day of danger truly dawns.

• Sir Francis Walsingham : Mary Stuart must die!

  Queen Elizabeth I : MUST? Mary Stuart must die? Where is written? Who says so? Have I ordered it?

  Sir Francis Walsingham : Majesty, this is no time for mercy.

  Queen Elizabeth I : [shouting]  Don't preach at me, old man!

• Queen Elizabeth I : In some other world, in some other time, could you have loved me?

  Sir Walter Raleigh : I know only one world and in this world, I have loved you.

• Walter Raleigh : [throws his coat in the road]  A puddle in the way, Majesty.

  Queen Elizabeth I : A puddle.

  [keeps walking] 

  Queen Elizabeth I : Puddle.

  [laughs] 

• Queen Elizabeth I : I have a secret, my dear. I pretend there's a pane of glass between me and them. They can see me, but they cannot touch me. You should try it.

• Queen Elizabeth I : Are you here to tell me I must murder a Queen?

  Sir Walter Raleigh : I would never presume to tell my Queen what to do. Only you know where your duty lies.

  Queen Elizabeth I : Was it my father's duty to murder my mother? She was a Queen, for a time. Oh, I would be loath to die such so bloody a death.

  Sir Walter Raleigh : Since when were you so afraid?

  Queen Elizabeth I : I'm always afraid.

  Sir Walter Raleigh : Kill a Queen and all Queens are mortal. We mortals have many weaknesses: we feel too much, hurt too much, all too soon we die, but we do have the chance of love.

  Queen Elizabeth I : Do we? I have given England my life. Must she also have my soul?

• Queen Elizabeth I : [to her army, lined up in front of her at Tilbury]  My loving people. We see the sails of the enemy approaching. We hear the Spanish guns over the water. Soon now, we will meet them face-to-face. I am resolved, in the midst and heat of the battle, to live or die amongst you all. While we stand together no invader shall pass. Let them come with the armies of Hell; they will not pass! And when this day of battle is ended, we meet again in heaven or on the field of victory.

• Queen Elizabeth I : There's something you could do for me - something I have not known for a very long time. If you felt so inclined. But it's not to be spoken of - afterward. It must be forgotten! But just for now, a kiss?

  [Raleigh kisses Elizabeth] 

  Queen Elizabeth I : I die.

• Queen Elizabeth I : I will not be a toy of the fates! Have I not faced an assassin's bullet and lived?

• Queen Elizabeth I : How much longer do you think I can play this game, Francis?

  Sir Francis Walsingham : Virginity is an asset that holds its value well.

• Queen Elizabeth I : [in German]  You play the game very well, my young friend. But don't you sometimes feel an overwhelming desire to say what you're really thinking?

  Archduke Charles : I daren't even think what I'm really thinking.

• Queen Elizabeth I : [speaking about Walter Raleigh]  He interests me. Talk to him.

  Elizabeth Throckmorton : Him, my Lady?

  Queen Elizabeth I : [smiling]  Him.

• Queen Elizabeth I : [smiling]  The volta, I require all my ladies to learn it.

• Queen Elizabeth I : I like your immensities. Your ocean is an image of Eternity, I think. Such great spaces make us small. Do we discover the New World, Mr. Raleigh, or does it discover us?

  Sir Walter Raleigh : You speak like a true explorer.

• Sir Francis Walsingham : If you were to produce an heir, there'd be no more talk of Mary, Queen of Scots.

  Queen Elizabeth I : I've heard it's customary to have a husband before producing an heir.

• Don Guerau De Spes : Excuse me, Your Majesty. The air has become stale. I am sensitive to the smell of an open sewer.

  [He stares at Raleigh and leaves] 

  Queen Elizabeth I : [to Raleigh]  I cannot accept the fruits of piracy, Mr. Raleigh.

  Walter Raleigh : Philip of Spain is no friend of England, Majesty. The more gold I take from him, the safer you will be.

  Queen Elizabeth I : Well, well - a political pirate.

• Queen Elizabeth I : Male desire confers no distinction.

• Sir Francis Walsingham : Your bishops preaching God is showing his displeasure, because the Queen is still unmarried. Some, rudely suggesting, infertile.

  Queen Elizabeth I : Ha! What nonsense.

  Sir Francis Walsingham : Dangerous nonsense. Mary Stuart has a son.

  Queen Elizabeth I : Why does everyone torment me with Mary Stuart? It's not her fault she's next in line to the throne.

• Queen Elizabeth I : What kind of man would you want?

  Elizabeth Throckmorton : An honest man - with friendly eyes.

  Queen Elizabeth I : I want good legs and sweet breath. So, you can kiss him without choking.

• Queen Elizabeth I : [slaps Sir Francis on the back of his head]  Since when did we discuss private matters in public settings?

  Sir Francis Walsingham : I ask your Majesty's forgiveness.

  Queen Elizabeth I : Have my doctors confirm that the Queen is still fertile. People need to be reassured.

• Queen Elizabeth I : Go on, Mr Raleigh. You were - hoping?

  Walter Raleigh : At first, its no more than a haze on the horizon. So you watch. You watch. Then, it's a smudge. A shadow on the far water. For a day. For another day. The stain slowly spreads along the horizon, taking form. Until, on the third day, you let yourself believe. You dare to whisper the word. Land. Land! Life! Resurrection! The true adventure - coming out of the vast unknown. Out of immensity. Into new life. That - your Majesty - is the New World.

• Queen Elizabeth I : [whilst taking a bath]  Is it true, that I've never known the pleasure of being liked for myself?

  Elizabeth Throckmorton : I hope you believe I like you for yourself, my Lady.

  Queen Elizabeth I : Is anyone ever liked simply for themselves? I doubt it. Are you? Men like you - because you're pretty - and because you have the ear of the Queen.

  Elizabeth Throckmorton : No doubt.

  Queen Elizabeth I : Him too. He likes you because he wants my favor. You do realize that?

  Elizabeth Throckmorton : Yes, my Lady.

  Queen Elizabeth I : And the other thing too. Always. But, then, all men want that.

• Queen Elizabeth I : Oh, I envy you, Bess. You're free to have what I cannot have. You're my adventurer.

• Queen Elizabeth I : Oh, don't tease me, Mr. Raleigh. There's nothing I'd like to do more.

  Walter Raleigh : So why don't you?

  Queen Elizabeth I : Alright, then. I will!

• Queen Elizabeth I : Bess would like to go to sea.

  Walter Raleigh : I'm afraid that's not possible. Women bring bad luck on ships.

  Queen Elizabeth I : Do they?

  Walter Raleigh : Lock up a hundred men in a space smaller than this room, for months at a time. Men have needs. A beautiful woman would drive us all mad.

• Queen Elizabeth I : Am I so hideous you can't even look me in the face?

  Sir Walter Raleigh : Why do you speak like a fool when you're anything but a fool?

  Queen Elizabeth I : Fool? Yes, I am. A vain and foolish woman. And you! You - you - come here, as if from another time and I - you have real adventures! You go and have met them. And I - I would follow you there if I could! Believe me!

• Queen Elizabeth I : [to Raleigh]  The storm clouds are gathering. You are needed here. You cannot leave England!

• Queen Elizabeth I : Treacherous. You dare to keep secrets from me? You ask my permission before you fuck! Before you breed!

• [last lines] 

  Queen Elizabeth I : I am called the Virgin Queen. Unmarried, I have no master. Childless, I am mother to my people. God give me strength to bear this mighty freedom. I am your Queen. I am myself.

• [from trailer] 

  Queen Elizabeth I : Spain intends to place Mary Stuart on our country's throne, and I am to be assassinated. Does this sound familiar?

• Queen Elizabeth I : [during a briefing with Walsingham and Bess]  We shall have to look out a husband for you soon, Bess.

  Elizabeth Throckmorton : Not too soon, my lady.

  Sir Francis Walsingham : There are husbands to be had.

  Queen Elizabeth I : [to Bess]  Don't you want to be married?

  Elizabeth Throckmorton : I'll want the marriage if I want the man.

  Sir Francis Walsingham : Austria. France.

  Queen Elizabeth I : Turkey. Turkey has a Sultan and China has an Emperor.

  Sir Francis Walsingham : I confine myself to the possible.

  Queen Elizabeth I : That's where you and I differ, Walsingham. I find the impossible *far* more interesting.

• Walter Raleigh : [Raleigh's horse runs ahead]  Forgive me, Majesty, my horse doesn't seem to know his place yet.

  Queen Elizabeth I : Have you ever known your place, Mr. Raleigh?

• Walter Raleigh : I think it must be hard for so great a Queen to know the simple pleasure of being liked for herself.

  Queen Elizabeth I : Now you grow dull.

• Sir Christopher Hatton : [the Archduke Charles of Austria's portrait is presented as a possible suitor]  An Austrian alliance would keep France quiet.

  Sir Francis Walsingham : And put Philip on a leash.

  Queen Elizabeth I : I've become almost enthusiastic. Send for him.

• Queen Elizabeth I : I suspect him of being a professional charmer. Am I right?

  Elizabeth Throckmorton : He is certainly charming, my lady.

  Queen Elizabeth I : Well, there are duller professions. You like him, don't you?

  Elizabeth Throckmorton : He's a man that lives in a world far beyond the court. It's refreshing.

  Queen Elizabeth I : Well, we shall let him come again.

• Queen Elizabeth I : More lines on my face. Where do they come from?

  Elizabeth Throckmorton : Smile lines, my lady.

  Queen Elizabeth I : Smile lines? When do I ever smile?

  [smiles] 

  Queen Elizabeth I : Now, you have smile lines, too.

• Queen Elizabeth I : You see how fearless Bess is?

  Sir Walter Raleigh : You like your ladies to jump at your command?

  Queen Elizabeth I : Do you think that wrong?

  Sir Walter Raleigh : No. You are the Queen. You ought to be obeyed.

  Queen Elizabeth I : To tell you the truth, I'm very, very tired of always being in control.

  Sir Walter Raleigh : Nonsense!

  Queen Elizabeth I : What?

  Sir Walter Raleigh : You eat and drink control.

  Queen Elizabeth I : Is that so?

• Queen Elizabeth I : [Pointing at Sir Walter]  This man has seduced a ward of the Queen

  [Pointing at Bess] 

  Queen Elizabeth I : and she has married without royal consent. These offences are punishable by law. Arrest him! GO!

  [Walsingham bows at the Queen, looks at Raleigh, and starts to leave with him] 

• Queen Elizabeth I : I like you, Mr. Raleigh.

  Walter Raleigh : [as she walks away]  And I like you.

  Queen Elizabeth I : [turning back]  You know, of course, that when I like a man, I reward him.

  Walter Raleigh : I have heard that.

  Queen Elizabeth I : And what have you to say about it?

  Walter Raleigh : Reward my mission, majesty, not me.

  Queen Elizabeth I : Is the mission not the man?

  Walter Raleigh : Then you leave me free to like you in return.

• Queen Elizabeth I : There must be only a mount of princes in the undiscovered land across the sea.

• Queen Elizabeth I : What have you brought me?

  Walter Raleigh : Potato, Majesty. You eat it. Very nourishing. Tobacco. You breathe its smoke. Very stimulating!

• Queen Elizabeth I : Mr. Raleigh is eager to sail away to his maiden colony. We must persuade him to stay a little longer. Mustn't we, ladies?

• Queen Elizabeth I : It is a Spanish plan. A plan of my onetime brother-in-law, your King, to attack my country!

  Don Guerau De Spes : Your country? It is my country that is under attack. Your so-called brothers, your pirates, attack our merchant ships daily and you, why, you think we don't know where their orders come from? The whole world knows these pirates sail up the Thames all the way - to your Royal Bed!

  Queen Elizabeth I : You will leave my presence, sir!

• Queen Elizabeth I : [to Raleigh]  What are you staring at? Lower your eyes. I am a Queen! You are *not* my equal, sir, and you never will be.

• Dr. John Dee : The alignments of the planets is most unusual this year. Mars is due to take ascendance three days after the anniversary of your Majesty's birth. And, also, on that day, there is a full moon; which governs the fortune of all princes of the female gender.

  Queen Elizabeth I : Princes of the female gender?

  Dr. John Dee : I mean to say, a Prince who is also a woman.

  Queen Elizabeth I : Yes, Dr. Dee, I am following you.

• Queen Elizabeth I : What does it mean?

  Dr. John Dee : It means the rise of a great empire, Majesty, and the fall of another. Convulsions.

  Queen Elizabeth I : Which - empire is to rise and which is to fall?

  Dr. John Dee : That I cannot say, Majesty. Astrology is, as yet, more an art than a science.

• Queen Elizabeth I : And the private life of this Prince of the female gender, what do the stars foretell there?

  Dr. John Dee : These are matters of state, Majesty.

  Queen Elizabeth I : Surely the stars will tell matters of state, Dr. Dee.

• Dr. John Dee : Wonderful. Such strength. You will need all your strength in the days to come. But, you doubt yourself, my child. I have not seen fear in your face for such a long time.

  Queen Elizabeth I : Have I reason to fear?

  Dr. John Dee : Something has weakened you. There are hard days coming. But I am no prophet. I see no more than the shadows of ghosts.

• Queen Elizabeth I : The fall of an empire, you told me. Did you mean the English empire? If by God, England will not fall while I am Queen. If that is your prophecy, sir, you prophecy again.

  Dr. John Dee : You want me to tell your Majesty only what your Majesty chooses to hear.

  Queen Elizabeth I : I will not be a toy of the fates!

• Queen Elizabeth I : My Lords, I can offer you no words of comfort. This Armada that sails against us, carries in its bowels the inquisition. God forbid it succeeds! Then there will be no more liberty in England - conscience - or, thought. We cannot be defeated.