"Saint Joan" Characters Analysis

List of Characters

Role Identification

In the play "Saint Joan" by George Bernard Shaw, the characters play different roles that contribute to the development and themes of the story. The main character, Joan of Arc, takes center stage as the protagonist, while other characters serve as supporting characters, antagonists, and various influencers on the protagonist's journey.

Character Descriptions

1. Joan of Arc: A young French peasant who is divinely inspired to lead the French army against the English invaders. She is characterized as determined, courageous, and deeply religious.
2. The Dauphin: The future king of France who is hesitant to accept Joan's leadership initially but later relies on her military successes. He is portrayed as indecisive and lacking in self-confidence.
3. Warwick: An English nobleman, an influential figure in the English court, who opposes Joan's cause and works against her. He is depicted as cunning, diplomatic, and manipulative.
4. Cauchon: A bishop who initially supports Joan but later turns against her, leading the trial against her. He represents the ecclesiastical authority and is shown as ambitious and politically motivated.
5. Dunois: A French nobleman who supports Joan and helps her in her military campaigns. He is depicted as a loyal and valiant soldier.
6. The Inquisitor: An ecclesiastical figure who questions Joan during her trial. He represents the religious establishment and is portrayed as cold, skeptical, and suspicious.
7. The Chaplain: A priest who tries to guide Joan spiritually and morally throughout the play. He is torn between his duty to the Church and his admiration for Joan.

Character Traits

1. Joan of Arc: Joan possesses remarkable traits such as unwavering faith, determination, and bravery. She is fiercely independent, empathetic, and possesses a strong sense of justice.
2. The Dauphin: The Dauphin is initially portrayed as insecure and indecisive. However, he eventually grows to trust Joan and gains more self-assurance as he witnesses her victories.
3. Warwick: Warwick is cunning, manipulative, and ambitious. He consistently opposes Joan's cause due to his allegiance to the English court and seeks ways to undermine her.
4. Cauchon: Cauchon is politically motivated and ambitious, willing to betray Joan when it suits his interests. He possesses a rigid belief in maintaining the status quo and challenges Joan's unconventional ideas.
5. Dunois: Dunois is a loyal and valiant soldier who supports Joan throughout her endeavors. He demonstrates bravery, loyalty, and a deep respect for Joan's abilities.
6. The Inquisitor: The Inquisitor embodies skepticism and suspicion. He questions Joan's motivations and endeavors to prove her guilty of heresy.
7. The Chaplain: The Chaplain is torn between his loyalty to the Church and Joan's divine mission. He struggles with his beliefs and is deeply affected by Joan's conviction and integrity.

Character Background

1. Joan of Arc: Joan was born in a humble family in France in the early 15th century. She claimed to receive divine messages instructing her to lead the French army against the English. Her extraordinary visions and military successes gained her recognition and support but also aroused suspicion among those in power.
2. The Dauphin: The Dauphin is the son of the French king, heir to the throne. He has lived a sheltered life, lacking self-confidence and plagued by doubts about his ability to rule.
3. Warwick: Warwick is an influential English nobleman who is deeply immersed in the political conflicts between England and France. He represents the English court and is driven by the desire to maintain English dominance.
4. Cauchon: Cauchon is a bishop who is initially supportive of Joan but later turns against her due to political pressure and his own ambition. He is torn between ecclesiastical authority and his personal interests.
5. Dunois: Dunois is a French nobleman and military leader known for his loyalty and bravery in defending his country against the English invasion. He supports Joan wholeheartedly, recognizing her potential as a leader.
6. The Inquisitor: The Inquisitor is a representative of the religious establishment and the influence of the Church. He is skeptical of Joan's claims and aims to prove her guilty of heresy.
7. The Chaplain: The Chaplain is a conflicted clergyman, torn between his duty to the Church and his admiration for Joan's faith and conviction. He struggles with his own beliefs and the implications of Joan's actions.

Character Arcs

1. Joan of Arc: Joan begins as a simple peasant girl with a divine calling, grows into an inspirational military leader, and ultimately faces a tragic end as she is condemned as a heretic. Her arc showcases her transformation, the challenges she faces, and the impact she has on society.
2. The Dauphin: The Dauphin starts as an uncertain and insecure prince, but as he witnesses Joan's military successes, he gains more confidence in himself and starts to trust her leadership.
3. Warwick: Warwick remains steadfast in his opposition to Joan throughout the play. His actions against her and his manipulation of political alliances demonstrate his unwavering antagonistic position.
4. Cauchon: Cauchon begins as a supporter of Joan but later turns against her due to political pressure and personal ambitions. His arc reveals his willingness to betray Joan's cause and his conflict of interest between ecclesiastical authority and personal gain.
5. Dunois: Dunois remains a loyal ally to Joan throughout the story. His arc displays his unwavering support and belief in Joan's divinely inspired mission.
6. The Inquisitor: The Inquisitor maintains a skeptical stance towards Joan throughout her trial, even as doubt creeps into his conviction. His arc demonstrates the rigid thinking and skepticism prevailing in religious institutions.
7. The Chaplain: The Chaplain's arc centers around his internal struggle between loyalty to the Church and admiration for Joan. His interactions with Joan challenge his beliefs and force him to confront his doubts.

Relationships

1. Joan of Arc and The Dauphin: Joan's relationship with The Dauphin evolves from distrust to mutual respect as Joan proves her military prowess. The Dauphin comes to rely on Joan, further solidifying their bond.
2. Joan of Arc and Warwick: Joan's relationship with Warwick is adversarial from the start. Warwick opposes and undermines her at every opportunity, leading to their mutual enmity.
3. Joan of Arc and Cauchon: Joan initially receives support from Cauchon, but he later turns against her due to political pressure. Their relationship depicts the betrayal Joan faces from those she once trusted.
4. Joan of Arc and Dunois: Dunois becomes one of Joan's most trusted allies. Their relationship is built on trust, loyalty, and the shared goal of defending France against the English.
5. Joan of Arc and The Inquisitor: The Inquisitor represents the religious establishment that questions Joan's divine inspiration. Their relationship showcases the clash between religious orthodoxy and Joan's unorthodox claims.
6. Joan of Arc and The Chaplain: The Chaplain serves as Joan's spiritual advisor and seeks to guide her morally. Their relationship highlights the conflict between religious duty and personal admiration.

In conclusion, "Saint Joan" presents a cast of characters that interact with and influence the protagonist, Joan of Arc, each with their own motivations and impact on the story. Through their relationships and character arcs, the play explores themes of faith, societal power dynamics, and the conflict between personal conviction and institutional authority.