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Metaphors
Definition of Mood
The mood of a piece of writing is its general atmosphere or emotional complexion—in short, the array of feelings the work evokes in the reader. Every aspect of a piece of writing... read full definition
The mood of a piece of writing is its general atmosphere or emotional complexion—in short, the array of feelings the work evokes in the reader. Every aspect... read full definition
The mood of a piece of writing is its general atmosphere or emotional complexion—in short, the array of feelings the work evokes... read full definition
Scene 5
Explanation and Analysis:
Despite its heavy themes, the mood of the play is generally lighthearted. For example, in Scene 5, Charles complains to Dunois that his coronation robe is too heavy:
DUNOIS [drily]. Your majesty should wear armor oftener. That would accustom you to heavy dressing.
CHARLES. Yes: the old jibe! Well, I am not going to wear armor: fighting is not my job. Where is The Maid?
The men are joking among themselves, Dunois with a bit of acid. Charles, who is being crowned king, has little experience actually leading his people in battle. Dunois, by contrast, has been at the front of the battle lines this whole time. According to the dauphin, "fighting is not my job." He is not wrong: the dauphin (soon-to-be king) is more of a figurehead than anything. His job is to stay alive and keep the line of succession intact. Dunois seems a little put out by the fact that he has been doing all of the hard work of leadership without any of the public credit. Shaw invites the audience to laugh at Charles and Dunois alike for missing the point. Charles seems to take the "jibe" in stride, accepting that there is some light irony in his receiving credit as the country's foremost military leader. Still, he believes he deserves to be king. Dunois believes he deserves all the credit because he wears armor. But Charles's immediate reference to "the Maid" reminds the audience that Joan has been demonized for wearing armor and bringing France to victory. Throughout the play, Shaw wants the audience to laugh, critically, at virtually everyone in the play for their zealous belief that the world revolves around them and their beliefs. The king's belief in himself is not so different from Joan's intense commitment to her voices, for which she has sometimes been called insane.
Related Themes:
