 Support the Monkey! Tell All your Friends and Teachers |
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Support the Monkey! Tell All your Friends and Teachers |
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Table of Contents Act I, Scene V Summary The French are fighting the English to raise the English siege over Orleans. The English soldiers are driven back by Joan. Talbot fights with Joan but it is to no avail. The French succeed in driving the English away and capture Orleans. Notes It is a short but significant scene. It brings into focus Talbot’s attitude towards his new French antagonist, namely Joan. He is incredulous that a woman can drive away his soldiers. He ascribes her success to witchcraft and believes her to be aided by the powers of hell. He cannot conceive of a mere French woman winning by pure strength and valor alone. He is not intimidated by her or her supernatural powers and engages her in fight with him. In direct contrast to his vehement abuse of her is Joan’s pragmatic attitude as she says, "Come, Come, ‘tis only I that must disgrace thee." She takes the French victory in her stride and leaves Talbot to his chaotic thoughts and feelings. He can’t understand her success and is angered by his own soldiers’ weakness. He has failed to avenge Salisbury’s death and the scene ends with Talbot totally bowed down by the shame of defeat. Table of Contents | |
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