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Act 3, Scene 2
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
Though the French have just lost Roan, Pucelle assures Charles, the Bastard, and Alanson that the English triumph is only temporary. Charles trusts Pucelle, and he and the others promise that if Pucelle can help them win the war, they will build statues of her and revere her as a saint. Pucelle then reveals her plan: she will entice the Duke of Burgundy to leave the English army and come over to the French side.
On the one hand, Henry VI Part 1 often shows that history is created from small moments, personal grudges, and random happenstance. On the other hand, however, conversations like this one between Charles and Pucelle—about the statues he will build in her honor—suggest that the characters are aware of (and trying to manage) the historical import of their actions.
Active
Themes
Offstage, the sounds of the English army’s march can be heard. Pucelle seizes the opportunity to talk to Burgundy, urging Charles to request a “parley” (meeting) with the duke. Though Burgundy is surprised by the request, he agrees to talk to Charles. But Charles steps aside, instead inviting Pucelle to “speak […] and enchant him with [her] words.”
In the first act, the French seemed to be completely convinced that Pucelle’s visions were spiritually pure, associating them (as Pucelle herself claims) with the Virgin Mary. But in this exchange, Charles seems to believe some of the English talk of witchcraft, encouraging Pucelle to “enchant” Burgundy (verbiage that implies witchcraft and spellcasting).
Active
Themes
In her speech, Pucelle urges Burgundy to look on “fertile France” with the same tenderness that a mother might look at her baby. After all, Pucelle reminds Burgundy, this is the country where Burgundy was raised, even if now he has given “unnatural wounds” to France’s “woeful breast.” Moreover, Pucelle warns Burgundy that if Henry VI is made king of France, he may have Burgundy exiled, since Henry VI seems to be cozy with many of Burgundy’s enemies.
Burgundy is deeply moved by Pucelle’s monologue (“she hath bewitched me with her words,” Burgundy reflects). Burgundy then embraces Charles, Alanson, and the Bastard, promising them that he will give all his men and resources to the French cause. Alanson and Charles, feeling renewed vigor in their fight against Talbot, congratulate Pucelle for her ability to turn Burgundy against his former allies. But Pucelle just smirks, scoffing that Burgundy’s betrayal is typical of a “Frenchman.”
Active
Themes
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