The Image of Elizabeth in Early Modern Spain: New Hispanisms

The Power and Influence of Queen Elizabeth I

In early modern Spain, the image of Queen Elizabeth I of England played a significant role in shaping the perceptions and dynamics of power. Known for her political cunning and powerful reign, Elizabeth I left a strong impact on the Spanish court and society. Her image was both admired and feared, and her influence extended beyond the borders of her own country.

Elizabeth's Political Strategy: The Marriage Game

The Image of Elizabeth I in Early Modern Spain (New Hispanisms)

by Eduardo Olid Guerrero (Kindle Edition)

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One aspect of Elizabeth's image that intrigued the Spanish court was her political strategy in the so-called "marriage game." Elizabeth skillfully used the promise of marriage to secure alliances, maintain balance of power, and ultimately establish herself as a formidable ruler. Her refusal to marry, however, became a source of intrigue and speculation among the Spanish nobility.

The Spanish Perception of Elizabeth: A Power Figure

In Spain, Elizabeth was seen as a figure of power and influence. The Spanish court admired her ability to navigate the treacherous political landscape of the time and admired her as a worthy adversary. Dealing with the Spanish Armada and her rivalry with Philip II, Elizabeth's political maneuvers solidified her reputation as a formidable queen.

The Fear and Fascination with Elizabeth's Virginity

Elizabeth's refusal to marry and her self-proclaimed virginity both fascinated and alarmed the Spanish court. In a deeply religious society, Elizabeth's choice was seen as a departure from the expected norms and traditions. The Spanish viewed her as a potential source of instability, but also as a woman who possessed a unique strength and devotion to her country.

The Legacy of Elizabeth: Influence on Spanish Literature

The image of Elizabeth in early modern Spain left a lasting impact on Spanish literature. Writers and poets were captivated by her strong personality and her ability to wield power in a male-dominated world. Numerous plays, poems, and novels emerged, depicting Elizabeth as a complex and enigmatic queen who stirs both admiration and fear.

The Cultural Exchange: Elizabeth and Spanish Art

Elizabeth's influence transcended politics and literature. Spanish artists were also inspired by the image of this powerful queen. Her portrait became a subject of fascination, with artists attempting to capture her beauty and majesty on canvas. The interplay between English and Spanish art helped shape a cultural exchange that lasted beyond Elizabeth's reign.

In

The image of Queen Elizabeth I of England had a profound impact on early modern Spain. Her political strategy, perceived power, refusal to marry, and strong personality fascinated and sometimes troubled the Spanish court. Elizabeth's influence extended beyond politics, as her image inspired Spanish literature and art. Her legacy remains a significant aspect of Spanish history and culture, leaving an indelible mark on the perception of royalty and power in early modern Spain.

The Image of Elizabeth I in Early Modern Spain (New Hispanisms)

by Eduardo Olid Guerrero (Kindle Edition)

5 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	4312 KB
Text-to-Speech	:	Enabled
Screen Reader	:	Supported
Enhanced typesetting	:	Enabled
Print length	:	408 pages
Lending	:	Enabled

FREE

Queen Elizabeth I was an iconic figure in England during her reign, with many contemporary English portraits and literary works extolling her virtue and political acumen. In Spain, however, her image was markedly different. While few Spanish fictional or historical writings focus primarily on Elizabeth, numerous works either allude to her or incorporate her as a character.

The Image of Elizabeth I in Early Modern Spain explores the fictionalized, historical, and visual representations of Elizabeth I and their impact on the Spanish collective imagination. Drawing on works by Miguel de Cervantes, Lope de Vega, Pedro de Ribadeneira, Luis de Góngora, Cristóbal de Virués, Antonio Coello, and Calderón de la Barca, among others, the contributors to this volume limn contradictory assessments of Elizabeth’s physical appearance, private life, personality, and reign. In doing so they articulate the various and sometimes conflicting ways in which the Tudor monarch became both the primary figure in English propaganda efforts against Spain and a central part of the Spanish political agenda.

This edited volume revives and questions the image of Elizabeth I in early modern Spain as a means of exploring how the queen’s persona, as mediated by its Spanish reception, has shaped the ways in which we understand Anglo-Spanish relations during a critical era for both kingdoms.