Charles lurches between grandiosity and despair, and he falls into infatuation easily — watch how rapidly he goes from testing Joan to worshipping her. His speeches tend to end in extravagant praise of whoever last impressed him, which makes him a useful index of who's currently winning.
Mars his true moving, even as in the heavens
So in the earth, to this day is not known.
Late did he shine upon the English side;
Now we are victors; upon us he smiles.
What towns of any moment but we have?
At pleasure here we lie near Orleans,
Otherwhiles the famish’d English, like pale ghosts,
Faintly besiege us one hour in a month.
ALENÇON.
They want their porridge and their fat bull beeves.
Either they must be dieted like mules
And have their provender tied to their mouths,
Or piteous they will look, like drowned mice.
Mars, the god of war, moves in the heavens in ways we still don't understand, just as on earth his power is mysterious. He recently favored the English side; now that we're winning, he smiles on us instead. What important towns do we not control? We're comfortable camped near Orleans while the starving English, like pale ghosts, weakly besiege us once a month. They're hungry and desperate for food and meat.
The way war plays out is kind of a mystery—it happens in the sky and on the ground in ways nobody fully gets. Mars was helping the English, but now that we're winning, he's on our side. Honestly, we control all the important towns around here. We're hanging out comfortably near Orleans while those starving English guys are out there looking like zombies, barely trying to siege us once a month. They're so hungry they can barely function.
war is weird we're winning now english soldiers are starving & weak they barely even try to fight us we got this
Reignier is the French court's pragmatist — he talks sense when Charles is swooning, and he's often the one who points out that the army needs to actually move. Watch for how little credit he gets for being consistently right.
Let’s raise the siege. Why live we idly here?
Talbot is taken, whom we wont to fear.
Remaineth none but mad-brain’d Salisbury,
And he may well in fretting spend his gall;
Nor men nor money hath he to make war.
Let's lift the siege. Why are we just sitting around doing nothing here? Talbot is captured, and he's the one we used to fear. Only Salisbury is left, and he's crazy enough to burn himself out getting angry. He doesn't have the soldiers or money to make war.
Come on, let's get out of here. Why are we hanging around doing nothing? They captured Talbot, and honestly he was the only one we had to worry about. All that's left is Salisbury, and he's so hotheaded he'll just waste himself away in a rage. Plus he's broke and doesn't have enough men anyway.
let's leave talbot's captured salisbury's all that's left & he's crazy no money no soldiers we got this
Now for the honour of the forlorn French!
Him I forgive my death that killeth me
When he sees me go back one foot or fly.
Now for the honor of poor France! I'll forgive my own death to whoever kills me, as long as I don't turn and run or flee when he sees me.
For France's honor, I'm ready. Whoever kills me gets my forgiveness—I just won't give them the satisfaction of seeing me run away.
for france's honor i'm not running i'll fight to the end
Here alarum; they are beaten back by the English, with great loss.
Here the alarm sounds; they are beaten back by the English with terrible losses.
The alarm sounds. The English drive them back with massive casualties.
alarm! the english push back french dying
Who ever saw the like? What men have I!
Dogs, cowards, dastards! I would ne’er have fled
But that they left me ’midst my enemies.
Who ever saw anything like this? What kind of soldiers do I have? Dogs, cowards, traitors! I would never have run away, but they abandoned me right there among the enemies.
Seriously? What kind of soldiers are these? Total cowards, the lot of them! I would've stood and fought, but they just left me alone facing the enemy.
what the hell my soldiers are cowards they left me alone i didn't even run
Salisbury is a desperate homicide;
He fighteth as one weary of his life.
The other lords, like lions wanting food,
Do rush upon us as their hungry prey.
ALENÇON.
Froissart, a countryman of ours, records,
England all Olivers and Rowlands bred
During the time Edward the Third did reign.
More truly now may this be verified;
For none but Samsons and Goliases
It sendeth forth to skirmish. One to ten!
Lean raw-bon’d rascals! Who would e’er suppose
They had such courage and audacity?
Salisbury fights like a man tired of living—desperate and fierce. The other lords are like starving lions attacking their prey. The historian Froissart wrote that during King Edward the Third's reign, England produced only heroes and warriors. We can say that's even more true now. England only sends out champions and giants to fight. One Englishman against ten Frenchmen! These thin, bony, ragged soldiers—who would think they'd have such courage and boldness?
Salisbury fights like he doesn't care if he lives or dies—totally vicious. The other nobles are like hungry lions going after food. Froissart, the historian, said England made nothing but legendary warriors under King Edward III. And honestly, it's still true. They only send out the best fighters, the absolute heroes. It's insane—one against ten, and these skinny, scrappy guys have this crazy determination.
salisbury fights like he's suicidal their nobles are hungry lions they're sending warriors not soldiers it's 1 english vs 10 of us and they're winning it's crazy
Let’s leave this town; for they are hare-brain’d slaves,
And hunger will enforce them to be more eager.
Of old I know them; rather with their teeth
The walls they’ll tear down than forsake the siege.
Let's abandon this town. These are crazy fighters, and hunger will only make them more aggressive. I know them from before. They'd rather tear down the walls with their teeth than give up the siege.
We should get out of here. These guys are totally reckless, and the hungrier they get, the more dangerous they become. I know how they operate—they'd literally gnaw through the walls before they'd give up.
let's leave town they're crazy & hungry they won't stop they'll tear the walls down
I think by some odd gimmers or device
Their arms are set like clocks, still to strike on;
Else ne’er could they hold out so as they do.
By my consent, we’ll even let them alone.
ALENÇON.
Be it so.
I think some odd magic or device powers their arms like clocks, constantly striking. Otherwise they couldn't possibly hold out as they do. As for me, let's just leave them alone.
Honestly, I think there's some weird magic making them fight like machines—like their arms are clockwork that never stops. There's no other way they could keep going like this. Let's just leave them to it.
they're like robots must be magic they never stop fighting let's just go
Where’s the Prince Dauphin? I have news for him.
Where is the Prince Dauphin? I have news for him.
Where's the Dauphin? I've got information for him.
where's the dauphin i have news
The historical Joan of Arc was burned in 1431, about 160 years before this play was written. By 1591, she was being rehabilitated in France (her trial would be officially annulled in 1456), but to an English audience she was still the witch who drove English armies out of France. Shakespeare's Joan is the English version: she'll be given genuinely impressive speeches and battlefield victories, but also a scene with demons, a denial of her father, and a claim of pregnancy at the last moment. She is simultaneously the most capable character on the French side and a figure the play ultimately condemns. This ambivalence — brilliant but demonized — makes her one of Shakespeare's most contested characters. Modern productions vary wildly in how they handle it.
Bastard of Orleans, thrice welcome to us.
Bastard of Orleans, three times welcome to us.
Bastard of Orleans, welcome back. We're really glad to see you.
bastard of orleans welcome
Methinks your looks are sad, your cheer appall’d.
Hath the late overthrow wrought this offence?
Be not dismay’d, for succour is at hand.
A holy maid hither with me I bring,
Which, by a vision sent to her from heaven
Ordained is to raise this tedious siege
And drive the English forth the bounds of France.
The spirit of deep prophecy she hath,
Exceeding the nine sibyls of old Rome.
What’s past and what’s to come she can descry.
Speak, shall I call her in? Believe my words,
For they are certain and unfallible.
I think your faces show sadness, your spirits are crushed. Has the recent defeat caused this despair? Don't be discouraged—help is coming. I've brought here a holy woman, sent by a vision from heaven. She's ordained to break this long siege and drive the English out of French lands. She has the spirit of deep prophecy, surpassing even the nine sibyl prophets of ancient Rome. She can see both the past and the future. Should I call her in? Believe me, my words are certain and cannot fail.
You all look really upset and defeated. Did the battle we just lost do that to you? Cheer up—I've got help coming. There's a holy woman I'm bringing here, sent to me in a vision from heaven. She's here to end this siege and drive the English out of France completely. She's got real prophetic power—better than any of the ancient Roman prophets. She knows what's happened and what's going to happen. Want me to bring her in? Trust me, what I'm telling you is absolutely true.
you look sad but help is here i brought a holy woman sent by heaven she'll end the siege she knows everything believe me
Go, call her in.
Go get her and bring her here.
Go ahead, bring her in.
get her
But first, to try her skill,
Reignier, stand thou as Dauphin in my place;
Question her proudly; let thy looks be stern.
By this means shall we sound what skill she hath.
But first, to test her ability, Reignier, you stand in my place as Dauphin. Question her with authority; let your face show sternness. In this way we can discover what ability she truly possesses.
Before we trust her, let's test her. Reignier, you pretend to be me. Question her like you're the real leader, looking tough. That way we'll know if she actually knows anything.
test her first reignier play the dauphin question her tough see if she's real
Fair maid, is ’t thou wilt do these wondrous feats?
Fair maid, is it you who will perform these amazing deeds?
Pretty woman, you're the one who's supposed to do all these incredible things?
you're gonna do all this
Reignier is ’t thou that thinkest to beguile me?
Where is the Dauphin? Come, come from behind;
I know thee well, though never seen before.
Be not amazed, there’s nothing hid from me.
In private will I talk with thee apart.
Stand back, you lords, and give us leave awhile.
Reignier, are you trying to trick me? Where is the Dauphin? Come out from behind those people. I know you well, even though I've never seen you before. Don't be amazed—nothing is hidden from me. I'll speak privately with you. Everyone stand back and give us some space.
Reignier, are you trying to test me or something? Come on out, where's the Dauphin? I know exactly who you are even though we've never met. Nothing escapes me. I need to talk to you privately. Everyone else, back off and give us some space.
reignier i know you where's the dauphin come out i know everything everyone leave us alone
She takes upon her bravely at first dash.
She's handling this boldly right from the start.
She's definitely confident right out of the gate.
she's bold
Dauphin, I am by birth a shepherd’s daughter,
My wit untrain’d in any kind of art.
Heaven and our Lady gracious hath it pleased
To shine on my contemptible estate.
Lo, whilst I waited on my tender lambs,
And to sun’s parching heat display’d my cheeks,
God’s mother deigned to appear to me,
And in a vision full of majesty
Will’d me to leave my base vocation
And free my country from calamity.
Her aid she promised and assured success.
In complete glory she reveal’d herself;
And, whereas I was black and swart before,
With those clear rays which she infused on me
That beauty am I blest with which you may see.
Ask me what question thou canst possible,
And I will answer unpremeditated.
My courage try by combat, if thou dar’st,
And thou shalt find that I exceed my sex.
Resolve on this; thou shalt be fortunate
If thou receive me for thy warlike mate.
Dauphin, I'm a shepherd's daughter by birth, untrained in any art or skill. But heaven and the Virgin Mary have chosen to bless my worthless life. While I tended my young sheep, and my face was burned by the sun, God's mother appeared to me. In a vision filled with glory, she ordered me to leave my humble job as a shepherdess and save my country from disaster. She promised her help and guaranteed success. In complete glory she revealed herself. Before, I was dark-skinned and ugly, but with the holy light she gave me, I've been blessed with this beauty you see. Ask me anything you want, and I'll answer honestly, without preparing. Test my courage through single combat if you dare, and you'll see that I'm better than ordinary women. Make this decision: you'll be blessed if you take me as your warrior companion.
Dauphin, I'm a shepherd's daughter, never trained in anything fancy. But the Virgin Mary decided to bless me anyway. I was out with my sheep, getting my face burned by the sun, when she appeared to me. In this amazing vision, she told me to quit herding sheep and save France. She promised she'd help me and that we'd win. The whole vision was incredible and overwhelming. I used to be really ugly and dark-skinned, but her holy light changed me into this. Ask me anything—I'll answer you straight up. And if you want to test me in a fight, go ahead. I'm better at it than any normal person. Think about it: if you accept me as your warrior, you're going to win.
i'm a shepherd the virgin mary came to me told me to save france it was amazing light changed me test me if you want i'm the warrior you need
Thou hast astonish’d me with thy high terms.
Only this proof I’ll of thy valour make:
In single combat thou shalt buckle with me,
And if thou vanquishest, thy words are true;
Otherwise I renounce all confidence.
You've amazed me with your powerful words. Here's how I'll test your courage: we'll fight in single combat, and if you win, I'll believe everything you say. If you don't, I won't trust anything you claim.
You've definitely gotten my attention with everything you're saying. Here's the deal: let's fight one-on-one. If you win, I believe you. If you lose, I'm done listening.
you talk big let's fight if you win i believe you
I am prepared. Here is my keen-edg’d sword,
Deck’d with five flower-de-luces on each side,
The which at Touraine, in Saint Katharine’s churchyard,
Out of a great deal of old iron I chose forth.
I'm ready. Here's my sharp sword, decorated with five French fleur-de-lis on each side. I found it in a pile of old metal at the church of Saint Katherine in Touraine, and I selected it from all that old iron.
I'm prepared. Here's my sword with five French lilies on each side. I found it buried in scrap metal at Saint Katherine's church in Touraine and picked it out.
here's my sword found it in old metal it's got french lilies on it
Then come, o’ God’s name; I fear no woman.
Then come in God's name. I'm not afraid of any woman.
Alright, let's do this. I'm not scared of a woman.
let's fight i'm not scared of you
And while I live, I’ll ne’er fly from a man.
And as long as I live, I'll never run from any man.
And I'm never going to run away from you or anyone else.
i'm not running
Joan's first move on stage is to identify Reignier through the Dauphin's trick; her second is to demand single combat. Both moves work the same way: she establishes her authority not through argument but through direct action. In a court full of men who have been talking about fighting without winning, she fights and wins. The single combat is the play's most concentrated dramatization of the contrast between English military heroism (embodied in Talbot) and French sorcery/marvel (embodied in Joan). Charles's instant infatuation is also dramatically precise: he has just been humiliated in battle, and Joan's defeat of him in combat somehow makes him desire her rather than resent her. The eroticization of military defeat is uncomfortable and intentional.
Stay, stay thy hands; thou art an Amazon,
And fightest with the sword of Deborah.
Wait, stop—put down your hands. You're like the Amazon warriors, fighting with the sword of Deborah, the ancient judge and warrior of Israel.
Hold on, put down your weapon. You're fighting like an Amazon warrior, with the power of Deborah, that ancient female warrior-judge.
you fight like deborah like an amazon stop
Christ’s Mother helps me, else I were too weak.
The mother of Christ helps me, or I'd be too weak.
Mary's helping me or I couldn't do this.
mary's helping me
Whoe’er helps thee, ’tis thou that must help me.
Impatiently I burn with thy desire;
My heart and hands thou hast at once subdued.
Excellent Pucelle, if thy name be so,
Let me thy servant and not sovereign be.
’Tis the French Dauphin sueth to thee thus.
Whoever helps you, you're the one who must help me. I'm burning with desire for you. You've conquered both my heart and my hands at once. Excellent Pucelle, if that really is your name, let me be your servant, not your superior. The French Dauphin himself begs to serve you this way.
I don't care who's helping you—you're the one I need. I'm totally consumed by you. You've captured everything—my heart, my hands, all of it. Amazing Pucelle, if that's really your name, let me be your servant instead of your ruler. I'm the Dauphin of France, and I'm literally begging you to let me serve you.
i'm burning for you you captured my heart let me be your servant i'm the dauphin and i'm begging you
I must not yield to any rites of love,
For my profession’s sacred from above.
When I have chased all thy foes from hence,
Then will I think upon a recompense.
I can't give in to the rituals of love because my sacred calling comes from heaven. Once I've driven all your enemies away, then I'll think about a reward.
I can't do the love thing because my whole purpose is sacred and comes from God. Once I've gotten rid of all your enemies, then maybe we can talk about a reward.
i can't love you my mission is sacred wait till i win for you
Meantime look gracious on thy prostrate thrall.
Meanwhile, just look kindly on me, your servant who lies at your feet.
For now, just look nice to me—your devoted servant.
just smile at me
My lord, methinks, is very long in talk.
ALENÇON.
Doubtless he shrives this woman to her smock;
Else ne’er could he so long protract his speech.
My lord, it seems, talks for a very long time. Probably he's confessing this woman to her undergarments. Otherwise he couldn't keep talking so long.
The lord is really taking his time talking to her. Honestly, he's probably flirting with her so much he's forgetting time exists.
they're talking forever he's def flirting with her
Shall we disturb him, since he keeps no mean?
ALENÇON.
He may mean more than we poor men do know.
These women are shrewd tempters with their tongues.
Should we interrupt him since he's not showing any restraint? He might know something we ordinary men don't. Women are clever at tempting men with their words.
Should we break this up? But maybe he's seeing something we don't get. Women are smart—they know how to use words to mess with guys.
should we interrupt she's probably manipulating him women are good at that
My lord, where are you? What devise you on?
Shall we give over Orleans, or no?
My lord, where are you? What are you planning? Should we surrender Orleans or not?
Hey, where'd you go? What's your call on Orleans? Do we give it up or keep fighting?
where are you what's the plan orléans or no
Why, no, I say. Distrustful recreants!
Fight till the last gasp; I will be your guard.
No way, I say! You cowardly traitors! Fight until you can't fight anymore. I will protect you and lead you.
No way, not at all! You yellow-bellied cowards! Keep fighting until the very end. I'll watch over you.
hell no don't give up fight till the end i got your back
What she says I’ll confirm. We’ll fight it out.
What she says, I agree with. We'll fight it out.
I'm with her. We're fighting this to the finish.
she's right we fight
Assign’d am I to be the English scourge.
This night the siege assuredly I’ll raise.
Expect Saint Martin’s summer, halcyon’s days,
Since I have entered into these wars.
Glory is like a circle in the water,
Which never ceaseth to enlarge itself
Till by broad spreading it disperse to nought.
With Henry’s death the English circle ends;
Dispersed are the glories it included.
Now am I like that proud insulting ship
Which Caesar and his fortune bare at once.
I'm chosen to be the scourge that punishes England. I'll break the siege tonight for sure. Expect a blessed time, like calm days in the middle of winter, now that I've entered this war. Glory is like a circle in water that keeps spreading outward until it spreads so wide it disappears. When Henry dies, the English circle ends and all their glory scatters. Now I'm like that proud ship that carried Caesar and his luck together.
I'm here to punish England. I'm lifting this siege tonight, guaranteed. Things are going to get better for you from now on—blessed times ahead. Think of glory like those rings that spread out in water, getting bigger and bigger until they vanish. England's glory dies when Henry dies, and it'll all scatter. Right now I'm like Caesar's ship—I'm carrying luck and victory.
i'm here to punish england siege ends tonight blessed times ahead english glory dies soon i got the luck
Was Mahomet inspired with a dove?
Thou with an eagle art inspired then.
Helen, the mother of great Constantine,
Nor yet Saint Philip’s daughters, were like thee.
Bright star of Venus, fall’n down on the earth,
How may I reverently worship thee enough?
ALENÇON.
Leave off delays, and let us raise the siege.
Did Muhammad have a dove to inspire him? You have an eagle inspiring you. Helen, the mother of Constantine, and the daughters of Saint Philip weren't like you. Bright star of Venus, fallen to earth, how can I respect you enough? Stop making delays—let's lift the siege.
Muhammad had a dove for inspiration, but you've got an eagle—better. Helen and the holy virgins don't compare to you. You're like Venus herself fallen to Earth. How can I possibly show you enough respect? Enough talking—let's go lift this siege.
you're like venus fallen to earth you got the eagle i can't respect you enough let's lift the siege now
Woman, do what thou canst to save our honours;
Drive them from Orleans and be immortalized.
Woman, do everything you can to preserve our honor. Drive them away from Orleans and you'll be remembered forever.
Do whatever you can to save our reputation. Get the English out of Orleans and you'll be remembered as a legend.
save our honor drive english out you'll be immortal
Presently we’ll try. Come, let’s away about it.
No prophet will I trust if she prove false.
We'll test this immediately. Let's go make it happen. If she turns out to be false, I won't believe any prophet.
Let's try it right now. If this doesn't work, I'm never trusting anyone's predictions again.
let's try now if she fails i'm done trusting anyone
The Reckoning
Joan's entrance is the play's first genuine surprise. The Bastard promises a prophetess; what walks in is someone who immediately out-maneuvers the Dauphin's little trap, then out-fights him in combat, then out-talks everyone in the room. Her speech about her divine calling is extraordinary — specific, embodied, confident — and Charles's instant infatuation sets up a dynamic the play will exploit all the way to her death. The French have their miracle. Whether it's God's or the devil's is the question the English will obsess over.
If this happened today…
A startup is getting crushed by a better-funded competitor. The founders are demoralized and making excuses. Then someone walks in — unscheduled, unreferenced, from nowhere — and says she has a plan. They try to catch her out with a trick (Reignier pretending to be the CEO). She walks past the decoy, addresses the real founder directly, delivers a pitch that leaves the room speechless, then offers to arm-wrestle for credibility. She wins. The founder is immediately obsessed. The rest of the team is skeptical but out of better options. They say yes.