Foil

Character Role Analysis

Joan/Henry and Charles

Joan is a foil to both Henry VI and Charles of France. They're both kings who are expected to be manly and take-charge, but in both cases, Joan seems to be wearing the pants by comparison. Charles is manlier than Henry, sure, but Joan is manlier than both of them. Maybe even combined. You go, girl.

John Talbot and Henry

Lucky Henry VI gets two foils—not just Joan, but also John Talbot. Call it the royal foil treatment. Henry and John Talbot both have heroic fathers. John Talbot dies fighting for his country, though, side by side with his superstar pops, while Henry VI, er, doesn't so much as pick up a sword. At least not in this play. He's always trying to make peace, which is great and all, but these are times of war and, unlike John, he seems reluctant to really get in the fray.