Essay Response - Saint Joan

Prompt: In the following passage from George Bernard Shaw's play Saint Joan, which is based on the life of Joan of Arc (1412?-1431), Joan, a young French woman, is on trial in a church court for allegedly spreading heresy (beliefs at variance with established religious doctrine). Dressed in armor, Joan led the French troops against the English. She was eventually captures, turned over to the English, and then tried by French clerics who supported the English. The most serious crime she was charged with was her claim that she had received direct inspiration from God.

Carefully read the Inquisitor's speech to the church courrt, whose members were to decide Joan's fate. Then, in a well-written essay, analyze the rhetorical strategies the Inquisitor uses to argue his case against Joan.

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The Inquisitor's speech in Saint Joan is one of persuasion, meant to convince the audience - French clerics - of her apparent "heresy". Through rhetorical appeal, he manages to create the image of a damned, vile creature in place of Joan, while allowing the clerics themselves to feel it is acceptable to condemn her soul. Through logos, ethos, and pathos, the Inquisitor presents a seemingly strong argument against Joan.

Logos, in Aristotle's view in Rhetoric, is the "proper task" in an argument, or, the actual point the speaker is making. The Inquisitor's case is that Joan, believing her "diabolical inspiration" to be "divine", has committed an act far worse than leading the French against the English, who were friends of the clerics within the audience. In his view, heresy is far crueler in its consequences than damning a woman.

The character of the speaker, known as ethos, is meant to create a certain mood within the spectators. In the Inquisitor's character, he leads the clerics to trust his knowledge by providing his background with heresy, claiming that "if you had seen what I have seen", the audience would not believe it to be a "light thing". The temperament of the clerics is meant to change at this point, and the Inquisitor further backs his assertions with examples such as "the woman who quarrels with her clothes" leading groups of "men and women refuse to wear any clothes at all". Through this fear, the listeners are more likely to trust the speaker's obstensibly true character, thus creating a trusting disposition.

Within this temper, the Inquisitor then plays with pathos, or the emotional appeal of the French clerics. He means to convince them that condemning Joan is suitable in place of allowing her heresy to continue, inciting auxiliary fear with images of incest and polygamy. In pathos, the speaker often lays claim to qualities within the listener, relating to flattery - as the Inquisitor does, calling his audience "merciful" and "holy". This gains further trust within the speaker, assuring the clerics that the decision they make reflects upon them, as well as their services to God. Lines 32 to 37 are an example of the Inquisitor creating hostility against Joan, attempting to instill a sense of good versus evil within the clerics.

Rhetorical appeal, in this piece, is especially important; the Inquisitor does an excellent job of using Aristotle's logos, ethos, and pathos, creating an especially convincing argument. Joan, "pious" or not, is strongly convicted through her opponent's words.


Author's note: It's a little hard to understand if you haven't read the Inquisitor's speech; but constructive criticism is still greatly appreciated, for the piece in general. Thanks!