Elizabeth: The Golden Age (2007)

David Threlfall: Dr. John Dee

Quotes 

• 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.

• 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!