The Inquisitor

As humans, emotional reservations ultimately hinder an individual’s logical reasoning. In his work Saint Joan, George Bernard Shaw depicts the trial of Joan of Arc, leader of the French into victory against the British and yet ultimately the defendant on charges of heresy. Through slippery slope, an appeal to credibility, and inductive reasoning, the Inquisitor of the Church vindicates Joan’s execution to the court on the grounds that punishment for any form or magnitude of sin is justifiable. The Inquisitor leverages slippery slope to dramatize the effects of Joan’s sins, leading the court jury to logically think through her potential as a sinner. He begins by using his position of authority to state to the jury that “If you had seen what
When urging the jury to affirm a verdict against Joan of Arc, he calls upon the authority of the church. “If you saw it [heresy] at work as I have seen it, [you] would clamor against the mercy of the Church in dealing with it.” Building upon the previous argument of seemingly innocent sin, the Inquisitor reminds the jury of his expert opinion on the matter. He even invites the jury to be in his shoes, after which he states that the jury would call upon help from the Church. Later, the Inquisitor calls upon the authority of the Church again, this time affirming the jury’s saintly character. “You are all, I hope, merciful men: how else could you have devoted your lives to the service of our gentle Savior?” The reference to God allows the Inquisitor to exert his position and remind the jury that he is on the side of God, a side that the jury has to make the choice to be on. In addition, the Inquisitor uses a caring tone toward the jury through words such as “devoted,” “service,” and “gentle.” As such, the jury is reminded of their devoted compassion toward God, overcoming their natural compassion toward an innocent girl. The frequent references to God and the Inquisitor’s own authority makes the jury more receptive to the logical argument that the Inquisitor lays out before
He capitulates all of his previous arguments through a simple contrasting statement: “You will see a diabolical pride and a natural humility seated side by side in the selfsame soul.” The simple comparison between the two aspects of Joan’s persona, one of sin and one of service, presents evidence for the jury to consider how perplexing of a character that she is. And while the Inquisitor must remind the jury to be wary for that devilish personality, he concludes his speech with the actual call to action: “I say, if you hate cruelty, remember that nothing is so cruel in its consequences as the toleration of heresy.” Knowing the perception of the jury as having a natural inclination toward defending someone apparently innocent, the Inquisitor makes a stronger case by demonstrating through many examples that while Joan looks sinless, she has an abundant potential for sin. Finally, he uses the evidence that he has provided to force the compassion out of the jury’s heart and make them consider the true implications of not finding Joan