Page 306 - DENG403_BRITISH_DRAMA

British Drama

Notes • King Charles’s lack of love for warfare (some call it cowardice) is shown when he decides to
negotiate for Paris instead of supporting Joan in her conquest. And, of course, there’s Joan,
herself—a woman of action to say the least. She single handedly inspires a movement which
unites all of France. Her actions define her as brash, daring, and maybe just a little bit proud.
• The world of Saint Joan is strictly divided according to social status. All the characters have
their specific place, which grants them certain rights, privileges, and powers. Look at Joan’s
trial, for example. Bishop Cauchon is the ranking official for most of it. So, he presides over
the proceedings.
• When the Inquisitor shows up, Cauchon must defer to some of his power because the
Inquisition carries a lot of weight. Below Cauchon and the Inquisitor you have the lower
Church officials like D’Estivet, the Chaplain, and Courcelles. Though they would dearly love
to, they don’t have the power to excommunicate Joan on their own. The decision ultimately
rests with Cauchon and the Inquisitor.
• In the political world everything is just as regimented. There are kings like Charles and feudal
lords like Warwick. Everybody knows their place. Then, of course, there’s the army. We see
everybody from commanders like Dunois down to the lowliest soldier.
• The conflict in the play is almost completely derived from the fact that Joan bucks all of these
carefully laid out structures. She’s just a common girl from the country. When she presumes
to boss around kings, bishops, and generals the world is shaken. Her character is defined by
the fact that she carves her own place in the social hierarchy through sheer resolve and
determination.
• Joan’s choice to wear men’s clothes is one of the big reasons she is executed. It’s unheard of in
this time. Everybody else wears clothes befitting their station. Dunois wears his armor, the
Bishop wears his robes, and the ladies of Charles’s court wear the fancy dresses that they are
expected to wear. Joan however, chooses to do away with the simple dress of an ordinary
country girl and don the armor and clothes of a soldier.
• The use of men’s cloth by Saint Joan makes sense. She’s out there fighting everyday. How is
she going to do that in a dress? Anyway, if she dresses like a woman, the soldiers will tend to
think of her that way. Not only will they not be as likely to listen to her, they may even try to
take advantage of her. Her choice to wear men’s clothes is indicative of both her common
sense approach to life and her flagrant flouting of authority.

25.3 Keywords

Execution : The infliction of capital punishment or, formerly, of any legal punishment.
Maniacal : Affected with or characteristic of mania or characteristic of or befitting a maniac.
Warfare : The process of military struggle between two nations or groups of nations.
Conflict : A discord of action, feeling, or effect; antagonism or opposition, as of interests or
principles.
Privileges : A special right, immunity, or exemption granted to persons in authority or office to
free them from certain obligations or liabilities.

25.4 Review Questions

1. Which character in the play do you most admire? Why.
2. Which character do you list admire? Why.

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