How we cite our quotes: (Act.Scene.Line)
Quote #7
PUCELLE
Dismay not, princes, at this accident,
Nor grieve that Roan is so recoverèd.
Care is no cure, but rather corrosive
For things that are not to be remedied.
Let frantic Talbot triumph for a while,
And like a peacock sweep along his tail;
We'll pull his plumes and take away his train,
If Dauphin and the rest will be but ruled. (3.3.1-8)
Henry VI has competition in the rhetoric department. Joan gives a nice speech, complete with alliteration ("Care is no cure, but rather corrosive"), simile ("like a peacock"), and a promise of success. You go, girl.
Quote #8
BURGUNDY
I am vanquished. These haughty words of hers
Have battered me like roaring cannon-shot,
And made me almost yield upon my knees.— (3.3.78-80)
The tongue is mightier than the sword—or at least Joan's is. She's able to sway a fighting man like Burgundy to join her side; attacking him with weapons would hardly have done that. Her speech is a classic tearjerker, and it works on Burgundy.
Quote #9
WARWICK
My lord of York, I promise you the King
Prettily, methought, did play the orator.
YORK
And so he did, but yet I like it not
In that he wears the badge of Somerset. (4.1.175-178)
Oh boy… Warwick and York both agree the king's pretty good with words, but he just made a major symbolic blooper. You can't wear the badge of one side in a quarrel without making the other side upset, no matter how much you say you're not taking sides. Guess rhetoric isn't everything: You need good judgment, too.