La représentation de Jeanne d’Arc dans la France du XVIe siècle: Politique, religion et genre dans L’Histoire tragique de la Pucelle d’Orléans (1580)

Abstract

This article proposes an interpretation of Fronton du Duc’s L’Histoire tragique de la Pucelle d’Orleans (1580), an important early adaptation of Joan of Arc’s story partially based on contemporary records of her trial. Through a close reading of this little-known work, the article shows that the Jesuit playwright consciously made use of three types of discourse—politics, religion, and gender. As this piece was written for the French king’s visit to Lorraine, Fronton du Duc underlines the alliance between France and Lorraine and highlights the image of a united France. By calling attention to the divide between Roman Catholic Church and the Anglican Church, the author anachronistically makes use of Joan of Arc’s story to emphasize the religious dimension of late sixteenth century French nationalism. Besides, Fronton du Duc brings a gender discourse into play to underscore Joan of Arc’s “feminity,” and thus maintains Joan’s mystical role without affecting the masculinized image of the French state. This specific portrayal of Joan of Arc corresponded to the historical context of the French wars of religion in the second half of the sixteenth century and marked a crucial step in the early representation of Joan of Arc as a national heroine.