Language Henry VI, Part 1

charles william sharpe engraving of talbot , countess of auvergne william quiller orchardson (1867)

language can employed aggressively. example, after death of salisbury, when talbot first hears joan, contemptuously refers , charles puzel or pussel, dolphin or dogfish (1.5.85). in french, puzel means slut, , pussel variation of pucelle (meaning virgin), added negative connotation. these 2 words, puzel , pussel , both puns on joan s name (pucelle), showing talbot s utter contempt her. similarly, use of word dolphin describe dauphin carries negative , mocking connotations, use of word dogfish , member of shark family considered dishonourable scavengers, preying on , anyone. again, talbot showing contempt charles position exposing mockery simple word play. other examples of words employed aggressively seen when english reclaim orléans, , soldier chases half-dressed french leaders city, declaring cry of talbot serves me sword,/for have loaden me many spoils,/using no other weapon name (2.1.81–83). similar notion found when countess of auvergne meets talbot, , muses, talbot feared abroad/that name mothers still babes (2.3.15–16). here words (specifically talbot s name) literally become weapons, , used directly strike fear enemy.

however although words shown powerful , persuasive, fail in signifying role, exposed incapable of adequately representing reality. idea introduced gloucester @ henry v s funeral, laments words cannot encompass life of such great king: should say? deeds exceed speech (1.1.15). later, when gloucester , winchester confront 1 outside tower of london, gloucester champions power of real action on power of threatening words: not answer thee words blows (1.3.69). similarly, after french capture rouen , refuse meet english army in battlefield, bedford asserts, o let no words, deeds, revenge treason (3.2.48). example of failure of language found when suffolk finds himself lost words whilst attempting woo margaret: fain woo her, yet dare not speak./i ll call pen , ink , write mind./fie, de la pole, disable not thyself!/hast not tongue? (5.4.21–24). later, joan s words, successful during play in convincing others support her, explicitly fail save life, told warwick, strumpet, thy words condemn thy brat , thee./use no entreaty, in vain (5.5.84–85).

language system shown open manipulation. words can employed deceptive purposes, representative function of language gives way deceit. example, shortly after charles has accepted joan new commander, alençon calls question sincerity, suggesting possible discrepancy between words , actions; these women shrewd tempters tongues (1.2.123). example occurs when henry forces winchester , gloucester put aside animosity , shake hands. public words here stand in diametric opposition private intentions;

winchester

well, duke of gloucester, yield thee

love thy love, , hand hand give.



he takes gloucester s hand



gloucester

(aside) ay, fear me hollow heart.

(to others) see here, friends , loving countrymen,

this token serveth flag of truce

betwixt ourselves , our followers.

so me god dissemble not.



winchester

so me god. (aside) intend not.

(3.1.136–143)















choosing red , white roses henry payne (1908)

act 2, scene 4 perhaps important scene in play in terms of language, in scene richard introduces notion of calls dumb significants, carries resonance throughout trilogy. during debate somerset, richard points out lords unwilling openly support either of them, since tongue tied , loath speak,/in dumb significants proclaim thoughts. (ll.25–26) dumb significants refers roses—a red rose join somerset, white rose join richard. such, roses function symbols, replacing need language. once lords select roses, these symbolize houses represent. henry chooses red rose—totally unaware of implications of actions, not understand power “dumb significants” have.

he places trust in more literal type of language, , selects rose in thinks meaningless gesture—but in fact have profound implications. henry s mistake results directly failure grasp importance of silent actions , symbolic decisions; gesture—especially such ill-considered one—is worth , makes worthless, thousand pretty words.

cite error: there <ref group=lower-alpha> tags or {{efn}} templates on page, references not show without {{reflist|group=lower-alpha}} template or {{notelist}} template (see page).