The inquiry into Joan's trial (dramatic irony)
In the epilogue, Ladvenu reports to Charles that Joan's name has been cleared in an inquiry conducted 25 years after her original trial. Ladvenu reflects that at Joan's original trial, "the truth was told; the law was upheld; mercy was shewn beyond all custom," and yet an innocent young woman was still found guilty and executed. Ironically, the inquiry was an "orgy of lying and foolishness," but it resulted in Joan's name being cleared. This irony reverses expectations that a fair trial will lead to a just sentence—in fact, it casts doubt on whether there is any connection between procedural justice and just results. Shaw uses this irony to make a critical comment of political and legal institutions, implying that sentences and results are essentially arbitrary.
Joan's suggestion that she return to life (dramatic irony)
In the epilogue, Joan witnesses visions from the future that show her being commemorated and canonized as a saint. She also receives lavish praise from the characters that gather to see her. Excited, Joan suggests that she could return to life. This moment of naïve enthusiasm on Joan's part is an example of dramatic irony because the audience knows that none of the characters will welcome this suggestion. In fact, Charles has already noted earlier in the epilogue that if Joan were to return to life, she would be burnt again. Joan is innocent and hopeful that the world has changed since her execution, but the audience knows better.
Warwick and Cauchon's fears of what Joan represents (dramatic irony)
In Scene IV, Warwick and Cauchon have a long discussion about why Joan poses a threat and must be eliminated. As an authority in the Church, Cauchon is afraid that Joan is encouraging people to develop a more direct relationship with God and cease to rely on the authority of priests (he calls this "Protestantism"). As a secular leader and politician, Warwick is worried about Joan encouraging people to identify as part of a national community rather than remaining loyal to feudal lords (what he calls "Nationalism"). As the two men express their worries about what could happen if Joan is not eliminated, dramatic irony is created by the audience's knowledge that both of these ideologies will go on to become very prominent and important. When Shaw's play premiered in 1923, debates about these ideologies still raged (especially in Ireland) and had resulted in many wars and deaths. Warwick and Cauchon's belief that Joan's execution could eliminate Nationalism and Protestantism is an ironic example of arrogance and short-sightedness.
The Executioner's report to Warwick (dramatic irony)
In Scene VI, the Executioner comes to Warwick to report that he has destroyed all traces of Joan's body. Now that the execution is over, the Executioner reports that "You have seen the last of her." This comment is deeply ironic because the audience knows that Joan's reputation, and the legend of her life, will live on for hundreds of years. In fact, the execution (which was designed to obliterate Joan and terminate her ability to inspire people's imaginations) only makes her more heroic and interesting. The irony of the comment is created by the tension between the executioner's belief that Joan will quickly fade into obscurity and the audience's knowledge that Shaw is writing a play commemorating her hundreds of years later. Even within the world of the play, irony is effected because Joan will reappear on stage in the epilogue: the audience has literally not "seen" the last of her on stage.
