Discuss Shaw’s treatment of history in
Saint Joan.
A chronicle is a narrative.
What we call history today was known as “chronicle” in the earlier days and a
chronicle play is a historical play. The main theme of the play or drama is
taken from historical facts. But we do not read or witness historical plays to
understand the historical facts contained therein. We go to the theatre for
some entertainment and it is the entertainment value that is more important
than the presentation of historical facts. The playwright may modify his
material, sift, order, condense and compress the vast amount of material
available to him before he presents his work of art. The peculiar blending of
fact and imagination is expected of him. The imagination must not run riot. If
the playwright wants to succeed he must not lose sight of the main facts of
history.
Shaw has authentically
portrayed St. Joan, taking into consideration all the earlier records available
to us through the translation of T. Douglas Murray. Many of the remarks of Joan
in the play are the same as set down in the long records of the trial. Joan’s
meeting with Baudricourt and Dauphin, the siege of Orleans, the coronation at
Rheims, her trial recantation and its withdrawal, her burning at the stake and
the incident of accepting a cross offered by an English soldier and many other
details have been faithfully and truthfully presented by Shaw in his play.
Many have written books on Joan
and her activities but the facts have been interpreted differently by different
writers. Highly scurrilous remarks are found in Shakespeare’s play in
presenting the maid. Schiller’s account has no bearing on the historical facts.
Voltaire gives us a ridiculous picture. Marc Twain’s presentation is excessive
adulation. Anatole France expresses disbelief in her miraculous achievements;
Andrew Lang does not differentiate her from hard headed brawny military
Generals.
