Saint Joan

The play is first and foremost a historical drama. It depicts a major historical event, and its characters are all historical figures who were key players in that event. Historical dramas often do not attempt to depict history exactly as it happened. Instead, especially in the 20th century and beyond, they often attempt to delve into the psychology of their characters and imagine the emotional realities of living through the major event at hand. Shaw's play is no different. In fact, Shaw explicitly states in his preface that he wants to show the main players in the Joan of Arc story as flawed humans, one and all. Joan had recently been made a saint, and it bothered Shaw how many artistic interpretations popped up lionizing her and demonizing her persecutors. He wanted to offer an interpretation that didn't flatten all the characters into heroes or villains.