This Sceptred Isle (metaphors)

by William Shakespeare

“This royal throne of kings“ -
“this sceptred isle”
“this earth of majesty”

These metaphors refer to the objects that denote that someone is king or queen;

They imply that England is the embodiment of royality, which is anointed (gesalbt) by God.


“This seat of Mars” implies that England is a warrior nation


“This other Eden, demi-paradise” England is compared with the garden of Eden.The metaphors are biblical and imply that God has blessed the country.

“This fortress built by nature
for herself against infection and the hand of war”
This metaphor refers to the fact that England is an island, like a fortress, and
is therefore protected from attack.

“This happy breed of men,
this little world” England is a contented world of its own, independent from other countries.

“This precious stone set in the silver sea” Here the island is compared to a precious stone (e.g. diamond) in the centre of a ring, with the sea around it as a silver band