Marriage is a complicated thing that is affected by many things. People let things stand in the way of marrying the person they love. Circumstances sometimes determine whether marriage is appropriate or even possible. The same is true with Queen Elizabeth. She did what she thought was best for herself and her country. Queen Elizabeth I was tempted by many things but refused to marry for the good of her country.
             Elizabeth never really wanted to marry, which stemmed from her father's many marriages (Hanff, 12). She viewed love and marriage as bad because they led to the ax, as it did with her mother Anne Boleyn and Catherine Howard. (Hanff, 17) Elizabeth did not want to be ruled by her husband. Therefore she remained unattainable. (Weir, 52) She thought that if she stayed in control of her relationship, she would also stay in control of her country. (Weir, 52) A woman rejecting marriage was seen as being against the laws of nature, but Elizabeth was only concerned with the rule and dominance she had as the headship of England. (Weir, 45) It has been argued that the reason for her singleness was rooted in religious conservatism, but by more extensive evidence, it is more clearly shown that she was only concerned with the good of the country. (Warnicke) Wives were expected to be submissive and obedient to the husband, which did not appeal to the Queen. (Weir, 46) Elizabeth did not want to lose her newly gained freedom, which she had never had before. Rules from her father and stepmothers dominated her childhood years. (Weir, 45)
             Queen Elizabeth, I was offered many gifts. The suitors found that they would be in her favor if she received presents from them. She received such things as a gold purse garnished with jewels, an around-the-clock set with diamonds hanging from the pendulum, and a ruby diamond bracelet with a clock clasp. (Hanff, 161) Elizabeth loved flowers as well as jewels. (Hanff, 161) Minor suitors caused a fi...