George Bernard Shaw’s Play Saint Joan

In the short passage from George Bernard Shaw’s play Saint Joan, the passage presents the Inquisitor’s speech to the church court where Joan’s fate will be decided. The Inquisitor is attempting to sway the court members into deciding death for Joan who’s accused of spreading Heresy. Heresy is a belief or beliefs that are contrary to the established religious doctrine. The Inquisitor explains why heresy is unforgivable, uses the slippery slope fallacy, and appeals to the members’ ignorance in an attempt to put Joan to death.

From the start, it is clear the Inquisitor is heavily against Joan of Arc and wants to see her condemned. Initially, the Inquisitor speaks about the consequences of heresy, and why it is very destructive. For example, he claims from personal experience that heresy is something never to be thought light of. This includes instances where it seems harmless. The Inquisitor implements the slippery slope fallacy by stating how heresy begins. He starts off by saying heresy can originate from people who appear better than their neighbors. For example, the Inquisitor refers to a “pious” girl, and a man of great faith and benevolence. The Inquisitor most likely refers to Joan in regards to the “pious” girl, and the men who followed her. By using said strategies, the Inquisitor hopes the church court members will feel the need to condemn Joan of Arc to death. This will in turn complete his purpose of seeing the death of Joan of Arc.

The Inquisitor in the second half of his speech attempts to define a heretic. He warns the court to not mistake the “simpletons,” for people who lie, for they truly believe in what they say. The Inquisitor heavily implies the fallacy of circular reasoning in order to justify his argument.. Throughout his speaking of heretics and Joan, it seems as if he’s trying to prove why they are innocent. Specifically with Joan, he implies the Devil is within her, but then states how there are hardly any traces found within her. He says the “devilish pride” that is present in Joan has not altered her physical appearance. Furthermore, he says other than Joan’s “special matters,” it has not left any changes into her character. However, with the combination of a counter-argument then refute strategy with the circular reasoning fallacy, the Inquisitor expertly adulterates the minds of the church court into believing heresy must be stopped. The Inquisitor repeatedly reminds the court to not feel bad about condemning Joan. In fact, he says if they do condemn her, then they might as well say goodbye to life in heaven. However the Inquisitor ends his speech strongly with one final remark of how heresy should never be tolerated. By swaying the court to condemn Joan of Arc, the Inquisitor will achieve his goal of condemning her.