Many historical figures have been represented and depicted by others in days far past their own. Some accurate and some not. And in many ways, figures throughout history can be portrayed not only by their actions alone, but also how others surrounding them lived and influenced their life. No other two characters in either the literature or films we viewed were more defined by one another than Joan and the Dauphin of France. In both Henry VI by William Shakespeare and the film Joan Of Arc by Victor Fleming the two’s relationship fed off each other and aided in giving the reader or audience more understanding of the two as individuals. Yet despite the shared concept of portraying factual events in history, the two works had many similarities just as they did differences.
In the film we do not get an accurate depiction of the Dauphin, instead we get Fleming’s interpretation of him, yet this makes for a good comparison. Our first introduction to the Dauphin is anything but flattering. We see a man who should be ruling his country yet instead is acting like a common beggar. In the scene the Dauphin is sitting on his throne when suddenly he begins to beg for money from a man who appears to be a common financial source. The ma
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After the Dauphin’s great coronation Joan meets him shortly there after to learn of his unforgivable act. Things could not be going any better until Burgundy and England devise a plan to claim victory by utilizing the Dauphin’s weaknesses. For Joan, she once again is given an objective to fulfill in her divine quest, for the Dauphin, a chance to once again rid France of the English and finally claim what has eluded him for so long, his crown. It is here that we see a remarkable difference in the role the Dauphin plays. For Joan, the Dauphin gives her purpose, a divine goal to achieve. The man shrugs off this notion and makes the statement “you own me money” as if to suggest that the Dauphin has no real power. This Dauphin seems like a capable and established leader that could lead his country if the battle is won in his favor. Never before has he taken anything someone had to say so seriously. Quite a different chain of events than those presented in the film. Joan has the English on the run and has inspired her country as well as the Dauphin with her countless victories. Yet like the film the two feed off each other. She needs only one more victory to see her vision fulfilled. This is quite an intense relationship, for the fate of the Dauphin as well as the rest of France is in her hands.
Now in glaring contrast to this depiction of the Dauphin is in Shakespeare’s, Henry VI. In the play we already have an established, honorable, and strong leader.
Approximate Word count =
1778
Approximate Pages =
7 (250 words per page double spaced)
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