Similarities Between Henry V And Saint Joan

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Looking at Henry V and Saint Joan, both of the stories are very similar in many ways. Both plays have a strong main character that is persistent, dedicated, and strong and take place during the same war. Though the plots are not directly connected, the feminist lens can be connected to both plays, and by examining a speech from each, there are many similar qualities. The differences and similarities between Henry V and Saint Joan can easily be compared and contrasted through rhetorical analysis and the feminist critical lens. Similarities and differences between Saint Joan and Henry V can be shown through rhetorical analysis. In the Shakespeare play Saint Joan, Joan gives a speech in Act V about the importance of going to war to win back Paris, and how she …show more content…

While lacking logos and ethos, Joan uses pathos in the speech by showing passion and drive to follow the voices in her head. She wants to obey the angels that talk to her because she is their voice of reason. Joan uses bold and powerful language to get her point across such as “Paris will open its gates; or if not, we will break through them” Shakespeare n.pg.). As well as “You should always attack; and if you only hold on long enough the enemy will stop first. You don't know how to begin a battle; and you don't know how to use your cannons. And I do” (Shakespeare n.pg.). Both of these quotation show the willingness Joan has for the war and how confident she is in herself to fight. Similarly, in Henry V Act III scene i, Henry gives a speech to his fellow men in hopes to motivate them and pump them up for the next round of battle. He hopes to re energize his men, and give them confidence as they take the battle field again to finish the fight. Unlike Joan, during this speech, Henry uses both pathos and ethos. He uses pathos showing his passion and confidence about the upcoming fight and uses ethos because he is the King talking to his men.

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