Saint Joan: Analysis of Major Characters
"Saint Joan: Analysis of Major Characters" provides an insightful examination of the key figures surrounding Joan of Arc, a pivotal historical and cultural icon. The analysis highlights the complexities of Joan's character as a young peasant girl who claims divine inspiration to lead France during the Hundred Years' War. Her tenacity and boldness, despite being unversed in political intricacies, lead to her trial and execution for heresy, reflecting the tensions between individual conviction and institutional authority.
The overview discusses other prominent characters, including Charles VII, the Dauphin, whose initial weakness contrasts with his eventual success as a leader; the Inquisitor, Brother John Lemaître, who grapples with the moral implications of Joan's beliefs; and Peter Cauchon, the bishop whose intentions to save Joan are overshadowed by his adherence to doctrine. Additional figures such as the pragmatic Dunois and the radical John de Stogumber illustrate the varied responses to Joan's spirit of nationalism and her challenge to traditional power structures. Through these characters, the analysis reveals the broader themes of faith, power, and the struggle for self-identity in a tumultuous historical context.
Saint Joan: Analysis of Major Characters
Author: George Bernard Shaw
First published: 1924
Genre: Play
Locale: France
Plot: Historical
Time: 1428–1456
Joan of Arc, a farmer's daughter from the village of Domrémy. Joan's imagination is so vivid that her inspirations seem to come to her as visions in which the voices of the saints direct her to raise the siege of Orleans and crown the Dauphin at Rheims. By sheer force of personality and a genius for leadership, the seventeen-year-old Joan does these things. Ignorant of the complexities of politics, Joan is unwilling to defer to the experience and advice of ordinary men. She oversteps herself and is tried by the Inquisition for heresy. Her trial is an eminently fair one by the standards of the age, but Joan condemns herself by insisting that the instructions of her “voices” take precedence over the instructions of the Church. Sentenced to be burned and fearing pain, she recants. When she finds that her recantation simply commutes her sentence to perpetual imprisonment, she reaffirms her innocence and is burned. In an epilogue, Joan's ghost appears and learns that she has been canonized. Her allies and enemies alike bow down and worship her, but when Joan offers to bring herself to life again, they all demur and drift away. Joan wonders when Earth will be ready for God's saints.
The Dauphin (doh-FAN), later Charles VII. Although physically weak and bullied by everyone, he is intelligent and more refined than most nobles of his time. Once he is crowned, Charles tells Joan to be content with what she already has won. He warns her that he cannot protect her if she continues her fight. After Joan is executed, Charles himself becomes a successful warrior.
The Inquisitor, Brother John Lemaître (leh MEHTR), a Dominican monk. A mild, elderly, and highly intelligent man, he believes that Joan's heresy is the most heinous one of all: the Protestant heresy of believing that God speaks directly to an individual through one's conscience. Realizing that Joan is innocent of evildoing, he believes she must be sacrificed for the welfare of Christian society.
Peter Cauchon (koh-SHOHN), the bishop of Beauvais, the co-judge, with the Inquisitor, at Joan's trial. An honest believer in the grossness of Joan's heresy, the bishop wishes to save Joan's soul and, if possible, her life.
Richard de Beauchamp (boh-SHAH), the Earl of Warwick, the English commandant. Warwick wants Joan put to death because she represents the new spirit of nationalism that threatens the power of his social class.
John de Stogumber (STAH-guhm-buhr), Warwick's chaplain. A bigoted and fanatical English patriot, he howls for Joan's death at her trial. He is so horrified by her execution, however, that, half mad, he retires to a small country parish and becomes an exemplary priest.
Dunois, Bastard of Orleans (dew-NWAH), the rugged and pragmatic commander of the French forces. He admires Joan's military ability, but he abandons her when she ignores his advice.
Brother Martin Ladvenu (mahr-TAN lahd-veh-NEW), a young priest who takes pity on Joan at her trial and tries to persuade her to save herself.
The archbishop of Rheims (ram), a member of the Dauphin's court. The archbishop, a rich and worldly administrator, is struck by Joan's saintliness. He tries to warn Joan of the dangerousness of her contempt for all authority.
Gilles de Rais (zheel deh ray), a flippant and cynical young courtier who affects a blue beard. He is contemptuous of Joan.
Captain la Hire (lah eer), a tough French soldier who becomes fanatically devoted to Joan.
Canon John d'Estivet (dehs-tee-VAY), the prosecutor at Joan's trial, so captious and vindictive that the Inquisitor must repeatedly censure him.
Canon de Courcelles (kewr-SEHL), a young priest who, with de Stogumber, draws up the indictment against Joan. He is stupid, petty, and contentious.
Robert de Baudricourt (boh-dree-KEWR), a loudmouthed but weak-willed French gentleman-at-arms. Against his better judgment, he provides Joan an escort to the Dauphin's court.
Bertrand de Poulengy (pewl-lehn-ZHEE), a knight under Baudricourt's command. Convinced of Joan's holiness, he escorts her to see the Dauphin.
The executioner of Rouen (rew-AHN), who puts Joan to death.
An English soldier, who gives Joan a cross of twigs while she is at the stake. For this action, he is given each year one day's vacation from Hell.
A gentleman of 1920, an English priest who, in the epilogue, announces Joan's elevation to sainthood.