uot;(Warren, 1993, p. 2). "I know I have the body of a weak and feeble woman, but I have the heart abd stomach of a king." (Randell, 1994, p. 11). But with Victoria, Her family role was that of perfect wife to her beloved husband, Prince Albert. As a queen she might be a ruler, but as a wife she was happily subjugated. As a queen she might be a singular example, because most queens chose to seem like a tough ruler, but as a wife representative for every woman. Also, Queen Victoria's great achievement was to smooth the transition to a wholly symbolic monarchy. This would have taken place with or without her in the nineteenth century. She seemed to know that the monarch's role was increasingly symbolic. Her people wanted to exert more control over the affairs of the state. She had to act so symbolically, which often meant appearing to be passive and inactive. She would act like showing her willingness to give power away. The royal court would respect the court of public opinion (Homan, 1998). "Queen Victoria gave away her power in order to have it" (Homan, 1998, p17). Elizabeth I preferred to rule the monarchy herself and only herself. She held a natural authority. "I myself will take up arms, I myself will be your general, judge and rewarder of every one of your virtues in the field." (Randell, 1994, p 12).
Elizabeth was unwomanly because instead of refusing political power in favor of a softening influence, she retained absolute author
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