The Background
The woman we know as Joan of Arc was born in 1412, in the late Medieval world, into what then passed for a lower-middle-class family in Domremy, France.
Beginning at the age of thirteen Joan received visions instructing her to support the Dauphin Charles and reclaim France from English domination; this was late in the 100 Years War, which was basically a dispute between England and France over succession to the French throne. (Succession conflict, how relevant today!) Joan first came to prominence when she prophesied a distant military reversal several days before messengers arrived to report it. Impressed, the unanointed future King Charles sent Joan to the Siege of Orleans as part of a relief army. She gained further credibility when under her leadership the French were able to break the siege after only nine days.
Several additional swift victories led to the Dauphin’s coronation as Charles VII at Rheims. This long-awaited event boosted French morale and paved the way for the final French victory. Before the appearance of Joan of Arc, the English had nearly achieved their goal of a dual monarchy under their control, and the French army had not achieved a major victory in a generation.
How did Joan do this? She was gifted by God. God gave her voices and visions.
Joan was wounded in battle several times. Although she is often pictured
Contemplating Fire
The Characters
JOAN OF ARC – Protagonist, heroine, tower of faith, charismatic leader. She is also a 19-year-old peasant girl, a victim soon to be a martyr, possibly a schizophrenic; a cross-dresser, hurt, angry, resentful, and afraid. Nevertheless, she remains devoted to the King.
THE DAUPHIN CHARLES – Second lead, not the antagonist. He is a weakling and whiner, remorseful and occasionally tender. And yet King by divine right (with a lot of help from Joan and the guidance of her celestial voices). His Advisors have bullied him for years; he fears and hates them.
THE ROYAL ADVISORS – Villains and comic relief. They are pompous, greedy, self-righteous, self important, cruel, and vile. They feel deeply threatened by Joan and will do anything to discredit or eliminate her. Still, they are educated, possibly royal, patriots (in their own minds, at least), seemingly
united, legitimate in their roles, logical in their protection of the state. They hate Joan and have contempt for Charles.
THE CELESTIAL VOICES – Gifts from God. They comfort Joan as she faces death. THE MOB – Rabble who shout cruelties at Joan from outside her prison cell.
carrying a sword Joan claimed that she never killed anyone, and much preferred carrying the banner in battle. In the words of the libretto, I brushed your banner against the sky, held your crest above field and forest.
Joan’s abilities aroused the ire, envy, and jealousy of the established leaders of France, who resented her uncanny success and refused to accept that she could indeed be blessed by God. Of course, in the 15th century the preferred explanation for an extraordinary woman was that she must be a witch! She was tried on trumped-up charges and convicted. In the text Joan is slandered with the words, Heretic, Liar, Traitor (and) Witch.
Toward the end of the libretto Joan of Arc is for the second time given the chance to recant and live. She replies to the King, Deny the voices, you say deny? NEVER! Long after we’re both dead, Charles, they’ll remember – we are one. You see, I have them and they have me.