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Act 3, Scene 1
Themes
and Colors
Key
LitCharts assigns a color and icon to each theme in Henry VI Part 1, which you can use to track the themes throughout the work.
Individualism vs. Nationalism
Gender and Politics
Courage vs. Cowardice
Religion, Power, and Manipulation
Impulse and History
Summary
Analysis
The scene shifts to France, where Joan la Pucelle is readying a group of four soldiers to breach the walled city of Roan. Pucelle instructs the soldiers to pretend to be farmers who have come to sell their corn at market; once the disguised soldiers are given entrance to the town square, they can then scope out where Roan is most vulnerable to invasion. Finally, Pucelle (also in disguise) will climb to the top of a high tower, using a torch to signal how the Dauphin Charles and his allies should breach the city’s walls.
Unlike Talbot, who brandishes his name like a “sword,” Pucelle’s military success tends to stem from ruses and disguises. This portrayal perhaps gestures to Pucelle’s historical tactics, as she would often dress herself in men’s armor to survive battles undetected.
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On the other side of the stage, Charles, the Bastard, Alanson, and Reignier wait for Pucelle to give them a sign. Sure enough, she appears on a tower, thrusting a torch to guide the French courtiers. Charles and the others charge, beginning their invasion of Roan. As they exit, an alarum sounds, and Talbot rushes on stage, blaming Pucelle—“that witch, that damned sorceress”—for the surprise attack.
It is worth picking up that every time Pucelle successfully triumphs over Talbot, he doubles down on his gendered insults of her, attributing her success to magic (he calls her a “witch” and a “sorceress”) rather than grappling with her undeniable skills as a general.
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In a montage, the French win the battle for Roan. The Duke of Bedford is gravely injured in the process. By the end of the montage, Talbot, Bedford and Burgundy have been thrust out of the city. From her tower, Pucelle throws corn at the English, taunting them for believing that she and the other French soldiers were merely farmers. Angrily, the English men respond by calling Pucelle names, including “shameless courtesan,” “hag,” and “Hecate.”
Talbot refuses to talk to Pucelle any longer, not wanting to engage in such conversations with a woman. Instead, he calls out to Alanson and challenges him to fight. But Alanson refuses, and he and the rest of the French courtiers depart. Now shut out of the city, Talbot fumes, recalling Henry V’s conquest of Roan and vowing that he will retake this territory or die trying. Before Talbot and Burgundy plan their next attack, Talbot offers to bring an ailing Bedford to a safe place. But Bedford refuses, wanting to stand with his soldiers to the end.
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Another alarum sounds, and John Fastolf rushes across the stage in flight. When an English captain wonders why Fastolf is in such a hurry, Fastolf predicts a French victory; Fastolf explains that he wants to save his own life, even if it means abandoning Talbot. Just moments after Fastolf runs off, however, the French (Pucelle, Alanson and Charles) run on, pursued by English troops. Realizing that the English will be victorious, Bedford breathes a sigh of relief and dies.
Talbot and Burgundy return, marveling that in a single day, they have lost Roan and then regained it. Talbot thanks the “heavens” for this victory, but Burgundy thinks Talbot should take all of the credit. Talbot and Burgundy agree they will go to Paris, where Henry VI is about to be formally crowned king. Before they leave, however, Talbot pays tribute to Bedford, remembering his bravery and his gentle heart.
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