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| Character | Talbot | |
|---|---|---|
| Gender | Male | |
| Age Range(s) | Adult (36-50), Senior (>50) | |
| Type of monologue / Character is | Angry, Scolding, Descriptive, Complaining, Frustrated | |
| Type | Dramatic | |
| Period | Renaissance | |
| Genre | Historical, Drama | |
| Description | Talbot is amazed by Joan of Arc's strength | |
| Location | Act I, scene 4, line 22. | |
Summary
The setting is the Hundred Years' War. The English are attacked by the French. Joan of Arc, leading the French, enters the scene and fights with Talbot, an English general. Talbot is defeated by Joan of Arc but she spares him ("thy hour has not yet come...."). When she exits the scene Talbot delivers his monologue.
Talbot is amazed by Joan's strength and is disappointed by how the English soldiers have fought. He urges his soldiers to fight again but then orders the retreat. He accuses them of being too weak to avenge Salisbury's death and exits in shame.
Talbot is amazed by Joan's strength and is disappointed by how the English soldiers have fought. He urges his soldiers to fight again but then orders the retreat. He accuses them of being too weak to avenge Salisbury's death and exits in shame.
Written by Administrator
| Excerpt |
|---|
| TALBOT My thoughts are whirled like a potter's wheel; I know not where I am, nor what I do; A witch, by fear, not force, like Hannibal, Drives back our troops and conquers as she lists: So bees with smoke and doves with noisome stench Are from their hives and houses driven away. They call'd us for our fierceness English dogs; Now, like to whelps, we crying run away. [A short alarum Hark, countrymen! either renew the fight, Or tear the lions out of England's coat; Renounce your soil, give sheep in lions' stead: Sheep run not half so treacherous from the wolf, Or horse or oxen from the leopard, As you fly from your oft-subdued slaves. [Alarum. Here another skirmish It will not be: retire into your trenches: You all consented unto Salisbury's death, For none would strike a stroke in his revenge. Pucelle is enter'd into Orleans, In spite of us or aught that we could do. O, would I were to die with Salisbury! The shame hereof will make me hide my head. [Exit TALBOT. Alarum; retreat; flourish |
Comments
The monologue is divided in three parts.
In the first part Talbot expresses his confusion and amazement about Joan of Arc's strength. The first six lines ("My thoughts......driven away") could be delivered addressing the audience and showing fear and confusion after losing the skirmish.
Then the tone should change as he turns to his soldiers and urges them to fight. ("Hark, countrymen!....")
There should be a pause before delivering the final part as the soldiers fight. As he realizes that they have lost his emotions change to anger and at the end disappointment and shame as he exits the scene.
In the first part Talbot expresses his confusion and amazement about Joan of Arc's strength. The first six lines ("My thoughts......driven away") could be delivered addressing the audience and showing fear and confusion after losing the skirmish.
Then the tone should change as he turns to his soldiers and urges them to fight. ("Hark, countrymen!....")
There should be a pause before delivering the final part as the soldiers fight. As he realizes that they have lost his emotions change to anger and at the end disappointment and shame as he exits the scene.
