Character Clues

Character Analysis

Tools of Characterization

Clothing

Clothing is used at key moments in Henry VI, Part 1 to define character. For instance, Talbot says about his troops: "A woman clad in armor chaseth them" (1.5.3). He's talking about his troops and their situation, sure, but he's also saying something about Joan. By describing her armor, he's letting us know that she's a warrior and that she's subverting gender norms of her day. In feeling the need to point this out, he may also be hinting that he thinks this is unnatural, and thus telling us something about his character, too.

There's also the moment when the French nobility bolt from Orleans and it sure sounds like they're still in their pajamas, or partly. Given their fancy pants social status, this state of partial undress lets us know just how freaked out they are—these are people who are pretty invested in their appearances, after all. Additionally, when they flee the scene, they leave behind some of their clothing, which unnamed English soldiers then steal. Shakespeare is probably making fun of the French by putting them in embarrassing situations more suited to slapstick than nobility.

Speech and Dialogue

This one seems kind of obvious: It's a play, so speech is important. But it goes much deeper than that. Language is one of the primary ways that characters assert themselves and craft their role in the world in this play.

Henry VI, for instance, makes most of his political capital from using language well and graciously. It's not a ton of capital, but it's something. For her part, Joan achieves a good deal of her power by rhetorical skill, like when she describes the vision where she believes Mary called her to fight for France, or when she persuades Burgundy to join the French team. And other characters, such as Charles, delight in language, too—his flowery speeches may be over-the-top, but they're a treat for an actor and an important part of his character all the same.

Actions

Though this is a play, speech isn't everything and most of the characters in this play are ultimately judged by their actions as well. Joan wouldn't get the French to listen to her if she didn't win battles, and Talbot, though good with words, is known and respected for his loyal actions and his amazing success on the battlefield above all.

Importantly, one of Henry VI's main problems is his lack of action. Of course, since he's a baby at the start of the play, we can't blame him too much there, but as he grows up, he's expected to act and it's a problem when he doesn't. The point is: Actions matter, even when they don't happen, and they are key to defining characters in this play.