Joan (The Maid): The central figure, a young, spirited peasant girl from Lorraine who claims divine visions from Saint Catherine, Saint Margaret, and Saint Michael compel her to lead France against the English. Shaw presents her as a mix of naive faith, fierce determination, and proto-nationalist zeal, with a touch of stubbornness that seals her fate.

Charles (The Dauphin): The uncrowned king of France, later Charles VII. He’s depicted as weak, indecisive, and somewhat comical—a reluctant ruler who’d rather avoid responsibility. Joan’s energy both inspires and annoys him, but he benefits from her victories.

Archbishop of Rheims: A shrewd, pragmatic churchman who initially supports Joan when her successes align with his interests but turns against her when she becomes a liability. He embodies the Church’s political maneuvering.

Bishop Cauchon: The Bishop of Beauvais, a complex antagonist who presides over Joan’s trial. Shaw paints him as a sincere but rigid cleric, genuinely believing Joan’s claims threaten the Church’s authority, rather than a cartoonish villain.

The Inquisitor (Brother John Lemaître): A cold, intellectual figure representing the Inquisition. He’s less emotional than Cauchon, arguing for Joan’s execution with a detached, legalistic zeal to protect orthodoxy.

Dunois (Bastard of Orleans): The military commander of the French forces, a practical and likable soldier who respects Joan’s courage and leadership, even if he’s skeptical of her mysticism. He’s one of her few true allies.

Earl of Warwick: An English nobleman and military leader, suave and cynical. He sees Joan as a political threat to English rule in France and pushes for her destruction, less out of faith and more out of strategy.

De Baudricourt: A rough, skeptical squire who Joan convinces to give her a start—soldiers and a horse—to see the Dauphin. He’s gruff but swayed by her conviction.

John de Stogumber: An English chaplain, a fiery, nationalistic figure who hates Joan as a heretic and French symbol. His fervor contrasts with Warwick’s cool calculation, and he later regrets his role in her death.

La Hire: A tough, loyal French captain who fights alongside Joan. He’s a straightforward soldier, admiring her grit without much concern for her visions.

The Executioner: A minor but grim presence, carrying out Joan’s burning with professional detachment.

Ladvenu: A young Dominican monk who assists in the trial but shows sympathy for Joan, questioning the harshness of her fate. He’s a softer voice amid the tribunal’s severity.

Developed by AI