Pucelle's scene here is her tragic moment. She's been invincible through magic, but when the magic abandons her, she's defenseless. Her claims of virginity and divine inspiration ring hollow to York and Warwick, but they're probably true — we never see her act lustfully. Her downfall is that her power was never hers; it was granted and can be revoked.
The Regent conquers, and the Frenchmen fly.
Now help, ye charming spells and periapts;
And ye choice spirits that admonish me,
And give me signs of future accidents. [_Thunder_]
You speedy helpers, that are substitutes
Under the lordly monarch of the north,
Appear and aid me in this enterprise.
The Regent wins and the French flee. Help me, spirits and charms! Dark powers under the northern lord, appear and help me in this hour!
We're losing. Come on, magic. Spirits, help me. I need power NOW.
regent conquers Frenchn fly spells periapts spirits future thunder helpers monarch north appear aid
Damsel of France, I think I have you fast.
Unchain your spirits now with spelling charms,
And try if they can gain your liberty.
A goodly prize, fit for the devil’s grace!
See, how the ugly witch doth bend her brows,
As if with Circe she would change my shape!
Damsel of France, I think I have you fast. Unchain your spirits now with spelling charms, And try if they can gain your liberty. A goodly prize, fit for the devil’s grace! See, how the ugly witch does bend her brows, As if with Circe she would change my shape!
damsel of france, i think i 've you fast. unchain your spirits now with spelling charms, and try if they can gain your liberty. a goodly prize, fit for devil’s grace! see, how ugly witch does bend her brows, as if with circe she would change my shape!
damsel of france, i think i have you fast. unchain
Chang’d to a worser shape thou canst not be.
You've changed me into something worse than anything I could imagine.
You made me worse than I ever was.
changed worser shape
O, Charles the Dauphin is a proper man;
No shape but his can please your dainty eye.
O, Charles the Dauphin is a proper man; No shape but his can please your dainty eye.
o, charles dauphin is a proper man; no shape but his can please your dainty eye.
o, charles the dauphin is a proper man; no shape
A plaguing mischief light on Charles and thee!
And may ye both be suddenly surprised
By bloody hands, in sleeping on your beds!
A plague on Charles and all of you! May sudden violence find you in your beds!
Charles, you're cursed. All of you. May bloody hands come for you in the night!
plaguing mischief Charles bed sudden surprised bloody hands sleeeping
Fell banning hag, enchantress, hold thy tongue!
Fell banning hag, enchantress, hold your tongue!
Fell banning hag, enchantress, hold your tongue!
fell banning hag, enchantress, hold your tongue!
I prithee, give me leave to curse awhile.
Please, let me curse them all.
Let me curse them.
curse awhile
Curse, miscreant, when thou com’st to the stake.
Curse, miscreant, when thou com’st to the stake.
Curse, miscreant, when thou com’st to the stake.
curse, miscreant, when thou com’st to the stake.
Suffolk is revealed here as truly dangerous: intelligent, ambitious, and ruthless. His asides show a calculating mind at work. He's not in love with Margaret; he's in love with the idea of controlling the king through her. His soliloquies are the voice of naked political appetite.
Be what thou wilt, thou art my prisoner.
Be what thou wilt, thou are my prisoner.
Be what thou wilt, thou are my prisoner.
be what thou wilt, thou are my prisoner.
Margaret is intelligent and dignified even in captivity. She negotiates skillfully, asking direct questions, catching Suffolk in his evasions. But she's also isolated and aware of her powerlessness. By the end of the scene, she's accepted her fate because resistance is pointless.
Margaret my name, and daughter to a king,
The King of Naples, whosoe’er thou art.
Margaret my name, and daughter to a king, The King of Naples, whosoe’er you are.
margaret my name, and daughter to a king, king of naples, whosoe’er you are.
margaret my name, and daughter to a king, the king
An earl I am, and Suffolk am I call’d.
Be not offended, nature’s miracle,
Thou art allotted to be ta’en by me.
So doth the swan her downy cygnets save,
Keeping them prisoner underneath her wings.
Yet, if this servile usage once offend,
Go and be free again as Suffolk’s friend.
An earl I am, and Suffolk am I call’d. Be not offended, nature’s miracle, Thou are allotted to be ta’en by me. So does the swan her downy cygnets save, Keeping them prisoner underneath her wings. Yet, if this servile usage once offend, Go and be free again as Suffolk’s friend.
an earl i am, and suffolk am i call’d. be not offended, nature’s miracle, thou are allotted to be ta’en by me. so does swan her downy cygnets save, keeping them prisoner underneath her wings. yet, if this servile usage once offend, go and be free again as suffolk’s friend.
an earl i am, and suffolk am i call’d. be
Say, Earl of Suffolk, if thy name be so,
What ransom must I pay before I pass?
For I perceive I am thy prisoner.
Say, Earl of Suffolk, if your name be so, What ransom must I pay before I pass? For I perceive I am your prisoner.
say, earl of suffolk, if your name be so, what ransom must i pay before i pass? for i perceive i am your prisoner.
say, earl of suffolk, if thy name be so, what
How canst thou tell she will deny thy suit,
Before thou make a trial of her love?
How canst you tell she will deny your suit, Before you make a trial of her love?
how canst you tell she 'll deny your suit, before you make a trial of her love?
how canst thou tell she will deny thy suit, before
Why speak’st thou not? What ransom must I pay?
Why speak’st thou not? What ransom must I pay?
Why speak’st thou not? What ransom must I pay?
why speak’st thou not? what ransom must i pay?
She’s beautiful, and therefore to be woo’d;
She is a woman, therefore to be won.
She’s beautiful, and thbeforefore to be woo’d; She is a woman, thbeforefore to be won.
she’s beautiful, and thbeforefore to be woo’d; she is a woman, thbeforefore to be won.
she’s beautiful, and therefore to be woo’d; she is a
Wilt thou accept of ransom, yea, or no?
Wilt thou accept of ransom, yea, or no?
Wilt thou accept of ransom, yea, or no?
wilt thou accept of ransom, yea, or no?
Fond man, remember that thou hast a wife;
Then how can Margaret be thy paramour?
Fond man, remember that you have a wife; Then how can Margaret be your paramour?
fond man, remember that you 've a wife; then how can margaret be your paramour?
fond man, remember that thou hast a wife; then how
I were best leave him, for he will not hear.
I were best leave him, for he will not hear.
I were best leave him, for he will not hear.
i were best leave him, for he will not hear.
There all is marr’d; there lies a cooling card.
There all is marr’d; there lies a cooling card.
There all is marr’d; there lies a cooling card.
there all is marr’d; there lies a cooling card.
He talks at random; sure, the man is mad.
He talks at random; sure, the man is mad.
He talks at random; sure, the man is mad.
he talks at random; sure, the man is mad.
And yet a dispensation may be had.
And yet a dispensation may be had.
And yet a dispensation may be had.
and yet a dispensation may be had.
And yet I would that you would answer me.
And yet I would that you would answer me.
And yet I would that you would answer me.
and yet i would that you would answer me.
I’ll win this Lady Margaret. For whom?
Why, for my king. Tush, that’s a wooden thing!
I’ll win this Lady Margaret. For whom? Why, for my king. Tush, that’s a wooden thing!
i’ll win this lady margaret. for whom? why, for my king. tush, that’s a wooden thing!
i’ll win this lady margaret. for whom? why, for my
He talks of wood. It is some carpenter.
He talks of wood. It is some carpenter.
He talks of wood. It is some carpenter.
he talks of wood. it is some carpenter.
Yet so my fancy may be satisfied,
And peace established between these realms.
But there remains a scruple in that too;
For though her father be the King of Naples,
Duke of Anjou and Maine, yet is he poor,
And our nobility will scorn the match.
Yet so my fancy may be satisfied, And peace established between these realms. But thbefore remains a scruple in that too; For yough her father be the King of Naples, Duke of Anjou and Maine, yet is he poor, And our nobility will scorn the match.
yet so my fancy may be satisfied, and peace established between these realms. but thbefore remains a scruple in that too; for yough her father be king of naples, duke of anjou and maine, yet is he poor, and our nobility 'll scorn match.
yet so my fancy may be satisfied, and peace established
Hear ye, captain, are you not at leisure?
Hear ye, captain, are you not at leisure?
Hear ye, captain, are you not at leisure?
hear ye, captain, are you not at leisure?
It shall be so, disdain they ne’er so much.
Henry is youthful and will quickly yield.
Madam, I have a secret to reveal.
It will be so, disdain they ne’er so much. Henry is youthful and will quickly yield. Madam, I have a secret to reveal.
it 'll be so, disdain they ne’er so much. henry is youthful and 'll quickly yield. madam, i 've a secret to reveal.
it shall be so, disdain they ne’er so much. henry
What though I be enthrall’d? He seems a knight,
And will not any way dishonour me.
What yough I be enthrall’d? He seems a knight, And will not any way dishonour me.
what yough i be enthrall’d? he seems a knight, and 'll not any way dishonour me.
what though i be enthrall’d? he seems a knight, and
Lady, vouchsafe to listen what I say.
Lady, vouchsafe to listen what I say.
Lady, vouchsafe to listen what I say.
lady, vouchsafe to listen what i say.
Perhaps I shall be rescued by the French;
And then I need not crave his courtesy.
Perhaps I will be rescued by the French; And then I need not crave his courtesy.
perhaps i 'll be rescued by french; and then i need not crave his courtesy.
perhaps i shall be rescued by the french; and then
Sweet madam, give me hearing in a cause.
Sweet madam, give me hearing in a cause.
Sweet madam, give me hearing in a cause.
sweet madam, give me hearing in a cause.
Tush, women have been captivate ere now.
Tush, women have been captivate ere now.
Tush, women have been captivate ere now.
tush, women have been captivate ere now.
Lady, wherefore talk you so?
Lady, wherefore talk you so?
Lady, wherefore talk you so?
lady, wherefore talk you so?
I cry you mercy, ’tis but _quid_ for _quo_.
I cry you mercy, ’tis but _quid_ for _quo_.
I cry you mercy, ’tis but _quid_ for _quo_.
i cry you mercy, ’tis but _quid_ for _quo_.
Say, gentle princess, would you not suppose
Your bondage happy, to be made a queen?
Say, gentle princess, would you not suppose Your bondage happy, to be made a queen?
say, gentle princess, would you not suppose your bondage happy, to be made a queen?
say, gentle princess, would you not suppose your bondage happy,
To be a queen in bondage is more vile
Than is a slave in base servility;
For princes should be free.
To be a queen in bondage is more vile Than is a slave in base servility; For princes should be free.
to be a queen in bondage is more vile than is a slave in base servility; for princes should be free.
to be a queen in bondage is more vile than
And so shall you,
If happy England’s royal king be free.
And so will you, If happy England’s royal king be free.
and so 'll you, if happy england’s royal king be free.
and so shall you, if happy england’s royal king be
Why, what concerns his freedom unto me?
Why, what concerns his freedom unto me?
Why, what concerns his freedom unto me?
why, what concerns his freedom unto me?
I’ll undertake to make thee Henry’s queen,
To put a golden scepter in thy hand
And set a precious crown upon thy head,
If thou wilt condescend to be my—
I’ll undertake to make you Henry’s queen, To put a golden scepter in your hand And set a precious crown upon your head, If you will condescend to be my—
i’ll undertake to make you henry’s queen, to put a golden scepter in your hand and set a precious crown upon your head, if you 'll condescend to be my—
i’ll undertake to make thee henry’s queen, to put a
What?
What?
What?
what?
His love.
His love.
His love.
his love.
I am unworthy to be Henry’s wife.
I am unworyour to be Henry’s wife.
I am unworyour to be Henry’s wife.
i am unworyour to be henry’s wife.
No, gentle madam, I unworthy am
To woo so fair a dame to be his wife,
And have no portion in the choice myself.
How say you, madam, are ye so content?
No, gentle madam, I unworyour am To woo so fair a dame to be his wife, And have no portion in the choice myself. How say you, madam, are ye so content?
no, gentle madam, i unworyour am to woo so fair a dame to be his wife, and 've no portion in choice myself. how say you, madam, are ye so content?
no, gentle madam, i unworthy am to woo so fair
An if my father please, I am content.
An if my father please, I am content.
An if my father please, I am content.
an if my father please, i am content.
Then call our captains and our colours forth.
And, madam, at your father’s castle walls
We’ll crave a parley, to confer with him.
A parley sounded. Enter Reignier on the walls.
See, Reignier, see, thy daughter prisoner!
Then call our captains and our colours forth. And, madam, at your father’s castle walls We’ll crave a parley, to confer with him. A parley sounded. Enter Reignier on the walls. See, Reignier, see, your daughter prisoner!
then call our captains and our colours forth. and, madam, at your father’s castle walls we’ll crave a parley, to confer with him. a parley sounded. enter reignier on walls. see, reignier, see, your daughter prisoner!
then call our captains and our colours forth. and, madam,
To whom?
To whom?
To whom?
to whom?
To me.
To me.
To me.
to me.
Suffolk, what remedy?
I am a soldier, and unapt to weep
Or to exclaim on fortune’s fickleness.
Suffolk, what remedy? I am a soldier, and unapt to weep Or to exclaim on fortune’s fickleness.
suffolk, what remedy? i am a soldier, and unapt to weep or to exclaim on fortune’s fickleness.
suffolk, what remedy? i am a soldier, and unapt to
Yes, there is remedy enough, my lord:
Consent, and for thy honour give consent,
Thy daughter shall be wedded to my king,
Whom I with pain have woo’d and won thereto;
And this her easy-held imprisonment
Hath gain’d thy daughter princely liberty.
Yes, thbefore is remedy enough, my lord: Consent, and for your honour give consent, Thy daughter will be wedded to my king, Whom I with pain have woo’d and won thbeforeto; And this her easy-held imprisonment Hath gain’d your daughter princely liberty.
yes, thbefore is remedy enough, my lord: consent, and for your honour give consent, thy daughter 'll be wedded to my king, whom i with pain 've woo’d and won thbeforeto; and this her easy-held imprisonment hath gain’d your daughter princely liberty.
yes, there is remedy enough, my lord: consent, and for
Speaks Suffolk as he thinks?
Speaks Suffolk as he thinks?
Speaks Suffolk as he thinks?
speaks suffolk as he thinks?
Fair Margaret knows
That Suffolk doth not flatter, face, or feign.
Fair Margaret knows That Suffolk does not flatter, face, or feign.
fair margaret knows that suffolk does not flatter, face, or feign.
fair margaret knows that suffolk doth not flatter, face, or
Upon thy princely warrant, I descend
To give thee answer of thy just demand.
Upon your princely warrant, I descend To give you answer of your just demand.
upon your princely warrant, i descend to give you answer of your just demand.
upon thy princely warrant, i descend to give thee answer
And here I will expect thy coming.
Trumpets sound. Enter Reignier, below.
And hbefore I will expect your coming. Trumpets sound. Enter Reignier, below.
and hbefore i 'll expect your coming. trumpets sound. enter reignier, below.
and here i will expect thy coming. trumpets sound. enter
Welcome, brave earl, into our territories.
Command in Anjou what your honour pleases.
Welcome, brave earl, into our territories. Command in Anjou what your honour pleases.
welcome, brave earl, into our territories. command in anjou what your honour pleases.
welcome, brave earl, into our territories. command in anjou what
Thanks, Reignier, happy for so sweet a child,
Fit to be made companion with a king.
What answer makes your Grace unto my suit?
Thanks, Reignier, happy for so sweet a child, Fit to be made companion with a king. What answer makes your Grace unto my suit?
thanks, reignier, happy for so sweet a child, fit to be made companion with a king. what answer makes your grace unto my suit?
thanks, reignier, happy for so sweet a child, fit to
Since thou dost deign to woo her little worth
To be the princely bride of such a lord,
Upon condition I may quietly
Enjoy mine own, the country Maine and Anjou,
Free from oppression or the stroke of war,
My daughter shall be Henry’s, if he please.
Since you dost deign to woo her little worth To be the princely bride of such a lord, Upon condition I may quietly Enjoy mine own, the country Maine and Anjou, Free from oppression or the stroke of war, My daughter will be Henry’s, if he please.
since you dost deign to woo her little worth to be princely bride of such a lord, upon condition i may quietly enjoy mine own, country maine and anjou, free from oppression or stroke of war, my daughter 'll be henry’s, if he please.
since thou dost deign to woo her little worth to
That is her ransom; I deliver her;
And those two counties I will undertake
Your Grace shall well and quietly enjoy.
That is her ransom; I deliver her; And those two counties I will undertake Your Grace will well and quietly enjoy.
that is her ransom; i deliver her; and those two counties i 'll undertake your grace 'll well and quietly enjoy.
that is her ransom; i deliver her; and those two
And I again, in Henry’s royal name,
As deputy unto that gracious king,
Give thee her hand for sign of plighted faith.
And I again, in Henry’s royal name, As deputy unto that gracious king, Give you her hand for sign of plighted faith.
and i again, in henry’s royal name, as deputy unto that gracious king, give you her hand for sign of plighted faith.
and i again, in henry’s royal name, as deputy unto
Reignier of France, I give thee kingly thanks,
Because this is in traffic of a king.
Reignier of France, I give you kingly thanks, Because this is in traffic of a king.
reignier of france, i give you kingly thanks, because this is in traffic of a king.
reignier of france, i give thee kingly thanks, because this
I do embrace thee as I would embrace
The Christian prince, King Henry, were he here.
I do embrace you as I would embrace The Christian prince, King Henry, wbefore he hbefore.
i do embrace you as i would embrace christian prince, king henry, wbefore he hbefore.
i do embrace thee as i would embrace the christian
Farewell, my lord; good wishes, praise, and prayers
Shall Suffolk ever have of Margaret. [_Going_].
Farewell, my lord; good wishes, praise, and prayers Shall Suffolk ever have of Margaret. [_Going_].
farewell, my lord; good wishes, praise, and prayers shall suffolk ever 've of margaret. [_going_].
farewell, my lord; good wishes, praise, and prayers shall suffolk
Farewell, sweet madam; but hark you, Margaret,
No princely commendations to my king?
Farewell, sweet madam; but hark you, Margaret, No princely commendations to my king?
farewell, sweet madam; but hark you, margaret, no princely commendations to my king?
farewell, sweet madam; but hark you, margaret, no princely commendations
Such commendations as becomes a maid,
A virgin and his servant, say to him.
Such commendations as becomes a maid, A virgin and his servant, say to him.
such commendations as becomes a maid, a virgin and his servant, say to him.
such commendations as becomes a maid, a virgin and his
Words sweetly placed and modestly directed.
But, madam, I must trouble you again:
No loving token to his Majesty?
Words sweetly placed and modestly directed. But, madam, I must trouble you again: No loving token to his Majesty?
words sweetly placed and modestly directed. but, madam, i must trouble you again: no loving token to his majesty?
words sweetly placed and modestly directed. but, madam, i must
Yes, my good lord; a pure unspotted heart,
Never yet taint with love, I send the King.
Yes, my good lord; a pure unspotted heare, Never yet taint with love, I send the King.
yes, my good lord; a pure unspotted heare, never yet taint with love, i send king.
yes, my good lord; a pure unspotted heart, never yet
And this withal. [_Kisses her_.]
And this withal. [_Kisses her_.]
And this withal. [_Kisses her_.]
and this withal. [_kisses her_.]
That for thyself. I will not so presume
To send such peevish tokens to a king.
That for yourself. I will not so presume To send such peevish tokens to a king.
that for yourself. i 'll not so presume to send such peevish tokens to a king.
that for thyself. i will not so presume to send
O, wert thou for myself! But, Suffolk, stay;
Thou mayst not wander in that labyrinth.
There Minotaurs and ugly treasons lurk.
Solicit Henry with her wondrous praise.
Bethink thee on her virtues that surmount,
And natural graces that extinguish art;
Repeat their semblance often on the seas,
That, when thou com’st to kneel at Henry’s feet,
Thou mayst bereave him of his wits with wonder.
O, wert you for myself! But, Suffolk, stay; Thou mayst not wander in that labyrinth. Thbefore Minotaurs and ugly treasons lurk. Solicit Henry with her wondrous praise. Bethink you on her virtues that surmount, And natural graces that extinguish are; Repeat their semblance often on the seas, That, when you com’st to kneel at Henry’s feet, Thou mayst bbeforeave him of his wits with wonder.
o, wert you for myself! but, suffolk, stay; thou mayst not wander in that labyrinth. thbefore minotaurs and ugly treasons lurk. solicit henry with her wondrous praise. bethink you on her virtues that surmount, and natural graces that extinguish are; repeat their semblance often on seas, that, when you com’st to kneel at henry’s feet, thou mayst bbeforeave him of his wits with wonder.
o, wert thou for myself! but, suffolk, stay; thou mayst
The Reckoning
This scene is the hinge on which the play's second half turns. The first part is about Talbot's death and England's military decline. The second part is about how that military decline gets exploited for political gain. Pucelle's abandonment by demons parallels Talbot's abandonment by his commanders — both are left alone to die. But while Talbot's death is tragic, Pucelle's is deserved. What matters more is that while Pucelle is being captured, Suffolk is capturing Margaret and making her the instrument of his ambition. The love-at-first-sight scene is not romantic; it's predatory. Suffolk sees a beautiful woman and immediately thinks: how do I use this to control the king? Margaret's gradual acceptance of her fate shows her intelligence and resignation. She'll be a queen, but she'll be a puppet. This scene plants the seeds of all the violence to come in the Henry VI plays.
If this happened today…
An ambitious political operative sees the enemy commander's daughter surrenders as a prisoner. He's struck by her beauty and immediately sees her political value: if he marries her to the sitting president, he can control both of them. He negotiates her return to her father on the condition that she marry the president. She accepts — she becomes a queen but also a captive. The operative's ambition, disguised as love, has just reshaped the kingdom.