# Charles the Dauphin — Henry VI, Part I character guide

> Charles the Dauphin in Henry VI, Part I by William Shakespeare.

**Role:** major

**Also known as:** The Dauphin Charles, the Dauphin, Charles, Dauphin, Charles Whoe’er, Charles Meantime, Charles the Dauphin, Charles Go, The princely Charles of France, royal Charles of France, Charles Sound, Charles Ay

**First appearance:** 0003-act-i-scene-ii

## Snapshot

The dispossessed heir to France, Charles watches his cities fall to the English and must decide whether Joan's visions can save his crown.

## Who they are

Charles enters the play already diminished — Paris, Rouen, and Orleans lost while he looks on — and his authority depends on nobles and a peasant girl who outshine him. He is proud enough to bristle at Joan's commands yet desperate enough to follow them, a king-in-waiting caught between humiliation and hope. His wavering leadership keeps the French cause alive just enough to make England's victories feel precarious.

## In the story

### [Scene I](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/henry_vi_part_i_se/chapters/act-i-scene-i)

Crowned king at Rheims; leads the French revolt against English rule.

### [Scene II: The Arrival of Joan la Pucelle](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/henry_vi_part_i_se/chapters/act-i-scene-ii)

Initially boastful of French victories, then dismayed by English resistance; eventually awed by Joan's prophecy and combat skill, offering to be her servant.

### [Scene IV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/henry_vi_part_i_se/chapters/act-i-scene-iv)

Reported by the messenger to be approaching Orleans with Joan la Pucelle to lift the siege.

### [Scene V](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/henry_vi_part_i_se/chapters/act-i-scene-v)

Pursued by Talbot but escapes.

### [Scene VI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/henry_vi_part_i_se/chapters/act-i-scene-vi)

Praises Joan extravagantly, promising to share his crown and make her a saint.

### [Scene I](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/henry_vi_part_i_se/chapters/act-ii-scene-i)

Blames Alençon and Joan for the failed defense of Orleans.

### [Scene II](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/henry_vi_part_i_se/chapters/act-iii-scene-ii)

Leads the French forces, celebrates Joan's stratagem, and retreats when the English counterattack.

### [Scene III](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/henry_vi_part_i_se/chapters/act-iii-scene-iii)

Expresses trust in Joan and welcomes Burgundy after his defection.

### [Scene II](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/henry_vi_part_i_se/chapters/act-iv-scene-ii)

Mentioned as leading French forces that are closing in on Talbot.

### [Scene III](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/henry_vi_part_i_se/chapters/act-iv-scene-iii)

The Dauphin leads his army to Bordeaux to fight Talbot.

### [Scene VII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/henry_vi_part_i_se/chapters/act-iv-scene-vii)

Orders that the bodies of the Talbots be given to Sir William Lucy, and declares that all will be France's now that Talbot is dead.

### [Scene II](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/henry_vi_part_i_se/chapters/act-v-scene-ii)

Leads the French forces, initially cautious but emboldened by Joan.

### [Scene IV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/henry_vi_part_i_se/chapters/act-v-scene-iv)

Arrives to negotiate peace and eventually swears allegiance to England.

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/henry_vi_part_i_se/characters/charles_dauphin
- Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/henry_vi_part_i_se
- All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/henry_vi_part_i_se/characters