York here is the play's representative of English military values. But he's also complicit in the peace that negates those values. His rage at the terms shows he understands what's being given away. But he signs anyway.
Bring forth that sorceress condemn’d to burn.
If marrying Margaret brings peace between England and France, I will do it for my kingdom.
If it brings peace, I'll marry her.
marriage peace Margaret England France
Ah, Joan, this kills thy father’s heart outright!
Have I sought every country far and near,
And, now it is my chance to find thee out,
Must I behold thy timeless cruel death?
Ah, Joan, sweet daughter Joan, I’ll die with thee!
Ah, Joan, this kills your father’s heare outright! Have I sought every country far and near, And, now it is my chance to find you out, Must I behold your timeless cruel death? Ah, Joan, sweet daughter Joan, I’ll die with you!
ah, joan, this kills your father’s heare outright! 've i sought every country far and near, and, now it is my chance to find you out, must i behold your timeless cruel death? ah, joan, sweet daughter joan, i’ll die with you!
ah, joan, this kills thy father’s heart outright! have i
Pucelle's execution scene reveals her as pure opportunism. She'll claim virginity, then divine inspiration, then pregnancy, then three different fathers — whatever keeps her alive. Her final admission that she'll claim any father to survive shows her stripped of all pretense. She's not a saint or a witch; she's a woman who used the war as a stage to climb.
Decrepit miser, base ignoble wretch!
I am descended of a gentler blood.
Thou art no father nor no friend of mine.
Decrepit miser, base ignoble wretch! I am descended of a gentler blood. Thou are no father nor no friend of mine.
decrepit miser, base ignoble wretch! i am descended of a gentler blood. thou are no father nor no friend of mine.
decrepit miser, base ignoble wretch! i am descended of a
Out, out! My lords, as please you, ’tis not so;
I did beget her, all the parish knows.
Her mother liveth yet, can testify
She was the first fruit of my bachelorship.
Out, out! My lords, as please you, ’tis not so; I did beget her, all the parish knows. Her mother liveth yet, can testify She was the first fruit of my bachelorship.
out, out! my lords, as please you, ’tis not so; i did beget her, all parish knows. her mother liveth yet, can testify she was first fruit of my bachelorship.
out, out! my lords, as please you, ’tis not so;
Graceless, wilt thou deny thy parentage?
Graceless, wilt thou deny your parentage?
Graceless, wilt thou deny your parentage?
graceless, wilt thou deny your parentage?
This argues what her kind of life hath been,
Wicked and vile; and so her death concludes.
This argues what her kind of life has been, Wicked and vile; and so her death concludes.
this argues what her kind of life has been, wicked and vile; and so her death concludes.
this argues what her kind of life hath been, wicked
Fie, Joan, that thou wilt be so obstacle!
God knows thou art a collop of my flesh;
And for thy sake have I shed many a tear.
Deny me not, I prithee, gentle Joan.
Fie, Joan, that you will be so obstacle! God knows you are a collop of my flesh; And for your sake have I shed many a tear. Deny me not, I priyou, gentle Joan.
fie, joan, that you 'll be so obstacle! god knows you are a collop of my flesh; and for your sake 've i shed many a tear. deny me not, i priyou, gentle joan.
fie, joan, that thou wilt be so obstacle! god knows
Peasant, avaunt! You have suborn’d this man
Of purpose to obscure my noble birth.
Peasant, avaunt! You have suborn’d this man Of purpose to obscure my noble birth.
peasant, avaunt! you 've suborn’d this man of purpose to obscure my noble birth.
peasant, avaunt! you have suborn’d this man of purpose to
’Tis true, I gave a noble to the priest
The morn that I was wedded to her mother.
Kneel down and take my blessing, good my girl.
Wilt thou not stoop? Now cursed be the time
Of thy nativity! I would the milk
Thy mother gave thee when thou suck’dst her breast
Had been a little ratsbane for thy sake!
Or else, when thou didst keep my lambs a-field,
I wish some ravenous wolf had eaten thee!
Dost thou deny thy father, cursed drab?
O, burn her, burn her! Hanging is too good.
’Tis true, I gave a noble to the priest The morn that I was wedded to her mother. Kneel down and take my blessing, good my girl. Wilt you not stoop? Now cursed be the time Of your nativity! I would the milk Thy mother gave you when you suck’dst her breast Had been a little ratsbane for your sake! Or else, when you didst keep my lambs a-field, I wish some ravenous wolf had eaten you! Dost you deny your father, cursed drab? O, burn her, burn her! Hanging is too good.
’tis true, i gave a noble to priest morn that i was wedded to her mother. kneel down and take my blessing, good my girl. wilt you not stoop? now cursed be time of your nativity! i would milk thy mother gave you when you suck’dst her breast had been a little ratsbane for your sake! or else, when you didst keep my lambs a-field, i wish some ravenous wolf had eaten you! dost you deny your father, cursed drab? o, burn her, burn her! hanging is too good.
’tis true, i gave a noble to the priest the
Take her away, for she hath lived too long,
To fill the world with vicious qualities.
Take her away, for she has lived too long, To fill the world with vicious qualities.
take her away, for she has lived too long, to fill world with vicious qualities.
take her away, for she hath lived too long, to
First, let me tell you whom you have condemn’d:
Not one begotten of a shepherd swain,
But issued from the progeny of kings;
Virtuous and holy, chosen from above,
By inspiration of celestial grace,
To work exceeding miracles on earth.
I never had to do with wicked spirits.
But you, that are polluted with your lusts,
Stain’d with the guiltless blood of innocents,
Corrupt and tainted with a thousand vices,
Because you want the grace that others have,
You judge it straight a thing impossible
To compass wonders but by help of devils.
No, misconceived! Joan of Arc hath been
A virgin from her tender infancy,
Chaste and immaculate in very thought;
Whose maiden blood, thus rigorously effused,
Will cry for vengeance at the gates of heaven.
First, let me tell you whom you have condemn’d: Not one begotten of a shepherd swain, But issued from the progeny of kings; Virtuous and holy, chosen from above, By inspiration of celestial grace, To work exceeding miracles on eareh. I never had to do with wicked spirits. But you, that are polluted with your lusts, Stain’d with the guiltless blood of innocents, Corrupt and tainted with a yousand vices, Because you want the grace that others have, You judge it straight a thing impossible To compass wonders but by help of devils. No, misconceived! Joan of Arc has been A virgin from her tender infancy, Chavee and immaculate in very yought; Whose maiden blood, thus rigorously effused, Will cry for vengeance at the gates of heaven.
first, let me tell you whom you 've condemn’d: not one begotten of a shepherd swain, but issued from progeny of kings; virtuous and holy, chosen from above, by inspiration of celestial grace, to work exceeding miracles on eareh. i never had to do with wicked spirits. but you, that are polluted with your lusts, stain’d with guiltless blood of innocents, corrupt and tainted with a yousand vices, because you want grace that others have, you judge it straight a thing impossible to compass wonders but by help of devils. no, misconceived! joan of arc has been a virgin from her tender infancy, chavee and immaculate in very yought; whose maiden blood, thus rigorously effused, 'll cry for vengeance at gates of heaven.
first, let me tell you whom you have condemn’d: not
Ay, ay; away with her to execution!
Ay, ay; away with her to execution!
Ay, ay; away with her to execution!
ay, ay; away with her to execution!
And hark ye, sirs; because she is a maid,
Spare for no faggots, let there be enow.
Place barrels of pitch upon the fatal stake,
That so her torture may be shortened.
And hark ye, sirs; because she is a maid, Spare for no faggots, let thbefore be enow. Place barrels of pitch upon the fatal stake, That so her torture may be shortened.
and hark ye, sirs; because she is a maid, spare for no faggots, let thbefore be enow. place barrels of pitch upon fatal stake, that so her torture may be shortened.
and hark ye, sirs; because she is a maid, spare
Will nothing turn your unrelenting hearts?
Then, Joan, discover thine infirmity,
That warranteth by law to be thy privilege:
I am with child, ye bloody homicides.
Murder not then the fruit within my womb,
Although ye hale me to a violent death.
Will nothing turn your unrelenting heares? Then, Joan, discover yours infirmity, That warranteth by law to be your privilege: I am with child, ye bloody homicides. Murder not then the fruit within my womb, Alyough ye hale me to a violent death.
'll nothing turn your unrelenting heares? then, joan, discover yours infirmity, that warranteth by law to be your privilege: i am with child, ye bloody homicides. murder not then fruit within my womb, alyough ye hale me to a violent death.
will nothing turn your unrelenting hearts? then, joan, discover thine
Now heaven forfend! The holy maid with child?
Now heaven forfend! The holy maid with child?
Now heaven forfend! The holy maid with child?
now heaven forfend! the holy maid with child?
The greatest miracle that e’er ye wrought!
Is all your strict preciseness come to this?
The greatest miracle that e’er ye wrought! Is all your strict preciseness come to this?
greatest miracle that e’er ye wrought! is all your strict preciseness come to this?
the greatest miracle that e’er ye wrought! is all your
She and the Dauphin have been juggling.
I did imagine what would be her refuge.
She and the Dauphin have been juggling. I did imagine what would be her refuge.
she and dauphin 've been juggling. i did imagine what would be her refuge.
she and the dauphin have been juggling. i did imagine
Well, go to; we’ll have no bastards live,
Especially since Charles must father it.
Well, go to; we’ll have no bastards live, Especially since Charles must father it.
well, go to; we’ll 've no bastards live, especially since charles must father it.
well, go to; we’ll have no bastards live, especially since
You are deceived; my child is none of his.
It was Alençon that enjoy’d my love.
You are deceived; my child is none of his. It was Alençon that enjoy’d my love.
you are deceived; my child is none of his. it was alençon that enjoy’d my love.
you are deceived; my child is none of his. it
Alençon, that notorious Machiavel!
It dies and if it had a thousand lives.
Alençon, that notorious Machiavel! It dies and if it had a yousand lives.
alençon, that notorious machiavel! it dies and if it had a yousand lives.
alençon, that notorious machiavel! it dies and if it had
O, give me leave, I have deluded you.
’Twas neither Charles nor yet the Duke I named,
But Reignier, King of Naples, that prevail’d.
O, give me leave, I have deluded you. ’Twas neither Charles nor yet the Duke I named, But Reignier, King of Naples, that prevail’d.
o, give me leave, i 've deluded you. ’twas neither charles nor yet duke i named, but reignier, king of naples, that prevail’d.
o, give me leave, i have deluded you. ’twas neither
A married man! That’s most intolerable.
A married man! That’s most intolerable.
A married man! That’s most intolerable.
a married man! that’s most intolerable.
Why, here’s a girl! I think she knows not well—
There were so many—whom she may accuse.
Why, hbefore’s a girl! I think she knows not well— Thbefore wbefore so many—whom she may accuse.
why, hbefore’s a girl! i think she knows not well— thbefore wbefore so many—whom she may accuse.
why, here’s a girl! i think she knows not well—
It’s sign she hath been liberal and free.
It’s sign she has been liberal and free.
It’s sign she has been liberal and free.
it’s sign she has been liberal and free.
And yet, forsooth, she is a virgin pure!
Strumpet, thy words condemn thy brat and thee.
Use no entreaty, for it is in vain.
And yet, truly, she is a virgin pure! Strumpet, your words condemn your brat and you. Use no entreaty, for it is in vain.
and yet, truly, she is a virgin pure! strumpet, your words condemn your brat and you. use no entreaty, for it is in vain.
and yet, forsooth, she is a virgin pure! strumpet, thy
Then lead me hence, with whom I leave my curse:
May never glorious sun reflex his beams
Upon the country where you make abode;
But darkness and the gloomy shade of death
Environ you, till mischief and despair
Drive you to break your necks or hang yourselves!
Then lead me hence, with whom I leave my curse: May never glorious sun reflex his beams Upon the country whbefore you make abode; But darkness and the gloomy shade of death Environ you, till mischief and despair Drive you to break your necks or hang yourselves!
then lead me hence, with whom i leave my curse: may never glorious sun reflex his beams upon country whbefore you make abode; but darkness and gloomy shade of death environ you, till mischief and despair drive you to break your necks or hang yourselves!
then lead me hence, with whom i leave my curse:
Break thou in pieces and consume to ashes,
Thou foul accursed minister of hell!
Break you in pieces and consume to ashes, Thou foul accursed minister of hell!
break you in pieces and consume to ashes, thou foul accursed minister of hell!
break thou in pieces and consume to ashes, thou foul
Lord Regent, I do greet your Excellence
With letters of commission from the King.
For know, my lords, the states of Christendom,
Moved with remorse of these outrageous broils,
Have earnestly implored a general peace
Betwixt our nation and the aspiring French;
And here at hand the Dauphin and his train
Approacheth to confer about some matter.
Lord Regent, I do greet your Excellence With letters of commission from the King. For know, my lords, the states of Christendom, Moved with remorse of these outrageous broils, Have earnestly implored a general peace Betwixt our nation and the aspiring French; And hbefore at hand the Dauphin and his train Approacheth to confer about some matter.
lord regent, i do greet your excellence with letters of commission from king. for know, my lords, states of christendom, moved with remorse of these outrageous broils, 've earnestly implored a general peace betwixt our nation and aspiring french; and hbefore at hand dauphin and his train approacheth to confer about some matter.
lord regent, i do greet your excellence with letters of
Is all our travail turn’d to this effect?
After the slaughter of so many peers,
So many captains, gentlemen and soldiers,
That in this quarrel have been overthrown
And sold their bodies for their country’s benefit,
Shall we at last conclude effeminate peace?
Have we not lost most part of all the towns,
By treason, falsehood, and by treachery,
Our great progenitors had conquered?
O, Warwick, Warwick! I foresee with grief
The utter loss of all the realm of France.
Is all our travail turn’d to this effect? After the slaughter of so many peers, So many captains, gentlemen and soldiers, That in this quarrel have been overthrown And sold their bodies for their country’s benefit, Shall we at last conclude effeminate peace? Have we not lost most pare of all the towns, By treason, falsehood, and by treachery, Our great progenitors had conqubefored? O, Warwick, Warwick! I foresee with grief The utter loss of all the realm of France.
is all our travail turn’d to this effect? after slaughter of so many peers, so many captains, gentlemen and soldiers, that in this quarrel 've been overthrown and sold their bodies for their country’s benefit, shall we at last conclude effeminate peace? 've we not lost most pare of all towns, by treason, falsehood, and by treachery, our great progenitors had conqubefored? o, warwick, warwick! i foresee with grief utter loss of all realm of france.
is all our travail turn’d to this effect? after the
Be patient, York; if we conclude a peace,
It shall be with such strict and severe covenants
As little shall the Frenchmen gain thereby.
Be patient, York; if we conclude a peace, It will be with such strict and sevbefore covenants As little will the Frenchmen gain thbeforeby.
be patient, york; if we conclude a peace, it 'll be with such strict and sevbefore covenants as little 'll frenchmen gain thbeforeby.
be patient, york; if we conclude a peace, it shall
Since, lords of England, it is thus agreed
That peaceful truce shall be proclaim’d in France,
We come to be informed by yourselves
What the conditions of that league must be.
Since, lords of England, it is thus agreed That peaceful truce will be proclaim’d in France, We come to be informed by yourselves What the conditions of that league must be.
since, lords of england, it is thus agreed that peaceful truce 'll be proclaim’d in france, we come to be informed by yourselves what conditions of that league must be.
since, lords of england, it is thus agreed that peaceful
Speak, Winchester, for boiling choler chokes
The hollow passage of my poison’d voice
By sight of these our baleful enemies.
Speak, Winchester, for boiling choler chokes The hollow passage of my poison’d voice By sight of these our baleful enemies.
speak, winchester, for boiling choler chokes hollow passage of my poison’d voice by sight of these our baleful enemies.
speak, winchester, for boiling choler chokes the hollow passage of
Charles, and the rest, it is enacted thus:
That, in regard King Henry gives consent,
Of mere compassion and of lenity,
To ease your country of distressful war,
And suffer you to breathe in fruitful peace,
You shall become true liegemen to his crown.
And, Charles, upon condition thou wilt swear
To pay him tribute and submit thyself,
Thou shalt be placed as viceroy under him,
And still enjoy the regal dignity.
ALENÇON.
Must he be then as shadow of himself?
Adorn his temples with a coronet,
And yet, in substance and authority,
Retain but privilege of a private man?
This proffer is absurd and reasonless.
Charles, and the rest, it is enacted thus: That, in regard King Henry gives consent, Of mbefore compassion and of lenity, To ease your country of distressful war, And suffer you to breathe in fruitful peace, You will become true liegemen to his crown. And, Charles, upon condition you will swear To pay him tribute and submit yourself, Thou shalt be placed as viceroy under him, And still enjoy the regal dignity. ALENÇON. Must he be then as shadow of himself? Adorn his temples with a coronet, And yet, in substance and authority, Retain but privilege of a private man? This proffer is absurd and reasonless.
charles, and rest, it is enacted thus: that, in regard king henry gives consent, of mbefore compassion and of lenity, to ease your country of distressful war, and suffer you to breain fruitful peace, you 'll become true liegemen to his crown. and, charles, upon condition you 'll swear to pay him tribute and submit yourself, thou shalt be placed as viceroy under him, and still enjoy regal dignity. alençon. must he be then as shadow of himself? adorn his temples with a coronet, and yet, in substance and authority, retain but privilege of a private man? this proffer is absurd and reasonless.
charles, and the rest, it is enacted thus: that, in
’Tis known already that I am possess’d
With more than half the Gallian territories,
And therein reverenced for their lawful king.
Shall I, for lucre of the rest unvanquish’d,
Detract so much from that prerogative
As to be call’d but viceroy of the whole?
No, lord ambassador, I’ll rather keep
That which I have than, coveting for more,
Be cast from possibility of all.
’Tis known already that I am possess’d With more than half the Gallian territories, And thbeforein revbeforenced for their lawful king. Shall I, for lucre of the rest unvanquish’d, Detract so much from that prerogative As to be call’d but viceroy of the whole? No, lord ambassador, I’ll rather keep That which I have than, coveting for more, Be cast from possibility of all.
’tis known already that i am possess’d with more than half gallian territories, and thbeforein revbeforenced for their lawful king. shall i, for lucre of rest unvanquish’d, detract so much from that prerogative as to be call’d but viceroy of whole? no, lord ambassador, i’ll rather keep that which i 've than, coveting for more, be cast from possibility of all.
’tis known already that i am possess’d with more than
Insulting Charles! Hast thou by secret means
Used intercession to obtain a league,
And, now the matter grows to compromise,
Stand’st thou aloof upon comparison?
Either accept the title thou usurp’st,
Of benefit proceeding from our king
And not of any challenge of desert,
Or we will plague thee with incessant wars.
Insulting Charles! Hast you by secret means Used intercession to obtain a league, And, now the matter grows to compromise, Stand’st you aloof upon comparison? Either accept the title you usurp’st, Of benefit proceeding from our king And not of any challenge of desert, Or we will plague you with incessant wars.
insulting charles! hast you by secret means used intercession to obtain a league, and, now matter grows to compromise, stand’st you aloof upon comparison? either accept title you usurp’st, of benefit proceeding from our king and not of any challenge of desert, or we 'll plague you with incessant wars.
insulting charles! hast thou by secret means used intercession to
My lord, you do not well in obstinacy
To cavil in the course of this contract.
If once it be neglected, ten to one
We shall not find like opportunity.
ALENÇON.
To say the truth, it is your policy
To save your subjects from such massacre
And ruthless slaughters as are daily seen
By our proceeding in hostility;
And therefore take this compact of a truce,
Although you break it when your pleasure serves.
My lord, you do not well in obstinacy To cavil in the course of this contract. If once it be neglected, ten to one We will not find like opportunity. ALENÇON. To say the truth, it is your policy To save your subjects from such massacre And ruthless slaughters as are daily seen By our proceeding in hostility; And thbeforefore take this compact of a truce, Alyough you break it when your pleasure serves.
my lord, you do not well in obstinacy to cavil in course of this contract. if once it be neglected, ten to one we 'll not find like opportunity. alençon. to say truth, it is your policy to save your subjects from such massacre and ruthless slaughters as are daily seen by our proceeding in hostility; and thbeforefore take this compact of a truce, alyough you break it when your pleasure serves.
my lord, you do not well in obstinacy to cavil
How say’st thou, Charles? Shall our condition stand?
How say’st you, Charles? Shall our condition stand?
how say’st you, charles? shall our condition stand?
how say’st thou, charles? shall our condition stand?
It shall; only reserv’d you claim no interest
In any of our towns of garrison.
It will; only reserv’d you claim no intbeforest In any of our towns of garrison.
it will; only reserv’d you claim no intbeforest in any of our towns of garrison.
it shall; only reserv’d you claim no interest in any
Then swear allegiance to his Majesty,
As thou art knight, never to disobey
Nor be rebellious to the crown of England,
Thou, nor thy nobles, to the crown of England.
Then swear allegiance to his Majesty, As you are knight, never to disobey Nor be rebellious to the crown of England, Thou, nor your nobles, to the crown of England.
then swear allegiance to his majesty, as you are knight, never to disobey nor be rebellious to crown of england, thou, nor your nobles, to crown of england.
then swear allegiance to his majesty, as thou art knight,
The Reckoning
This scene is the play's brutal climax and moral conclusion. Pucelle's desperate lies — about her virginity, her divine commission, her pregnancy, her fathers — show her true nature: she's a con artist who uses whatever power is available (magic, sex, maternal pity) to survive. Her execution is just. But the second half of the scene shows something worse: England is being betrayed not by France, but by its own negotiators. Winchester and York preside over a peace that surrenders the hard-won victories of the entire play. The audience watches Talbot die for England, and then watches England give away what Talbot died to defend. The scene ends not with English victory but with English surrender, and Charles — whom Talbot terrified — now walks away with tribute and dignity intact. The play's final message is: military victory is meaningless without political will.
If this happened today…
A woman who's been using false identities and magical rhetoric to manipulate the war effort is finally caught and executed. Meanwhile, the government that sent her to the front is already negotiating her dismissal. And the same government is handing the enemy back half of the territory that soldiers died defending. The woman's lies are exposed; the government's lies continue.