ENGLISH LITERATURE (CBSE/UGC NET)

Detailed explanation-1: -"England expects that every man will do his duty” was a signal sent by Vice-Admiral of the Royal Navy Horatio Nelson, 1st Viscount Nelson from his flagship HMS Victory as the Battle of Trafalgar was about to commence on 21 October 1805.

Detailed explanation-2: -Nelson’s final words (as related by all three written accounts) were, “Thank God I have done my duty.” He is said to have repeated this statement until he became unable to speak. Although Surgeon Beatty records this, he was not present when Nelson became unable to speak and returned just before Nelson died.

Detailed explanation-3: -The message “engage the enemy more closely” was Nelson’s final signal to the fleet, sent at 12.15 pm, before a single British cannon had been fired at the enemy. This message was signalled using the telegraphic flag and flags 1 and 6.

Detailed explanation-4: -Napoleon was aware of Nelson’s heroic reputation in Britain. During the Peace of Amiens, he placed a bust of Nelson on his dressing table as a reminder of the man who had caused him and France the most trouble during the preceding war.

Detailed explanation-5: -Horatio Nelson is generally regarded as the greatest officer in the history of the Royal Navy. His reputation is based on a series of remarkable victories, culminating in the Battle of Trafalgar where he was killed in his moment of triumph. The poet Byron referred to him as ‘Britannia’s God of War’.