Cyrano de Bergerac

Edmond Rostant

Published in:  
1897

Experience a tale of unrequited love, noble bravery, and witty wordplay, where a gallant hero with a sharp mind and a sharper nose battles both foes and his own insecurities. This classic play combines romance, comedy, and tragedy in a timeless exploration of authentic beauty and love.

Essence of the Story

• A brilliant poet and swordsman, Cyrano de Bergerac, secretly loves his cousin Roxane but believes she could never love him because of his large nose.

• Discovering Roxane loves the handsome Christian, Cyrano selflessly agrees to help Christian woo her by providing him with poetic words and eloquent letters, effectively speaking through Christian to express his own heart's desires.

• Years later, after battles and tragedies have taken their toll, Roxane learns that Cyrano is the author of the letters and realizes the depth of his love. Still, this revelation comes just moments before Cyrano's tragic death.

In essence, "Cyrano de Bergerac" is a masterpiece that weaves wit, romance, and tragedy into a tale that resonates with audiences of every age. Its universal themes and enduring characters ensure its place among the greatest works in world literature.

Summary

"Cyrano de Bergerac" by Edmond Rostand is a romantic tragedy centring on the talented poet and swordsman Cyrano, who, despite his abilities, feels unworthy of love due to his large nose. He secretly adores his cousin Roxane but learns she's obsessed with the handsome yet inarticulate Christian. Cyrano aids Christian in wooing Roxane by penning eloquent letters on his behalf, leading Roxane to believe they're from Christian. When Christian dies in battle, Cyrano keeps their secret. Still, fifteen years later, a dying Cyrano reveals the truth to Roxane, who realizes the depth of Cyrano's love only moments before he passes away.

Overview

Cyrano de Bergerac is a romantic play that revolves around the life of Hercule Savinien Cyrano de Bergerac, a skilled swordsman, poet, and member of the Cadets of Gascoyne. Despite his many talents, Cyrano is self-conscious about his enormous nose, which he feels makes him unattractive and unworthy of the love of his cousin, the beautiful Roxane.

The play begins in the Hotel Burgundy in Paris, where Cyrano disrupts a play to confront a mediocre actor he despises. After the play, he confesses his love for Roxane to his friend, Le Bret. However, he learns that Roxane has feelings for a handsome young soldier named Christian de Neuvillette, who has recently joined Cyrano's regiment.

Cyrano meets Christian, and they bond when they discover their love for Roxane. Christian admits that while handsome, he lacks the eloquence to woo Roxane. Cyrano offers to help by providing Christian with romantic lines and writing letters to Roxane on his behalf.

Under this arrangement, Christian and Roxane's love blossoms, with Cyrano acting as the hidden poet behind their romance. Roxane falls deeply in love with the beautiful words, believing them to be Christian's.

Tragedy strikes when Christian, now a soldier alongside Cyrano, is fatally wounded at the Siege of Arras. Before dying, he tells Cyrano that Roxane should know the truth. However, out of love for Roxane and respect for Christian, Cyrano keeps the secret.

This timeless story is a poignant exploration of love, sacrifice, and the nature of true beauty.

Why it's classic

One of the principal reasons for its iconic status is its exploration of timeless themes. Through the character of Cyrano, Rostand touches on the perennial struggles with self-identity, love, heroism, and sacrifice. The play profoundly reflects on the dualities of inner beauty versus outer appearances and the dichotomies between wit and physical prowess.

Written entirely in rhyming couplets, Rostand's play stands out for its poetic beauty. The dialogue is not merely a means of moving the plot forward; it's an art form, with characters engaging in intricate verbal duels, profound soliloquies, and touching romantic declarations.

Cyrano, as a character, is a study in contrasts. He's brave, poetic, proud, and witty, but he's also deeply insecure about his appearance. This multifaceted portrayal makes him relatable, endearing, and, in many ways, timeless. The other characters, like the beautiful Roxane and the handsome Christian, also bring the depth of human emotions and conflicts.

Meet the Author

Edmond Rostand (1868–1918) was a French playwright best known for his play "Cyrano de Bergerac," a romantic drama that has remained a cornerstone of classic theatre since its debut in 1897. Rostand's unique blend of poetic dialogue, deep emotional resonance, and timeless themes secured his place among the literary elite. His ability to weave intricate character dynamics with societal commentary made his works both a reflection of his times and universally relatable. Rostand's contributions to theatre extend beyond Cyrano, but it is this iconic character's exploration of love, beauty, and self-worth that cements the playwright's enduring significance in world literature.

Author's Memorable Quotes

Edmond Rostand is best known for his play "Cyrano de Bergerac," many of his most famous lines come from this work. Here are three renowned quotations:

• "A large nose is the mark of a witty, courteous, affable, generous and liberal man." - This quote from "Cyrano de Bergerac" exemplifies the play's focus on Cyrano's insecurities about his appearance and his attempts to reconcile them with his other qualities.

• "To sing, to laugh, to dream, to walk in my own way, free with an eye to see things as they are, a voice that means manhood. To cock my hat where I choose. At a word, a Yes, a No, to fight or write. To travel any road under the sun, under the stars, nor doubt if fame or fortune lie beyond the bourne. Yet there are those who'd teach me to sing by note, odiously. To write by rule. To travel by the map." - This passage, also from "Cyrano de Bergerac," encapsulates Cyrano's fierce independence, his dedication to living authentically, and his rejection of societal constraints.

• "Kiss me, and you will see how important I am." - While often misattributed to Sylvia Plath, this quote is associated with "Cyrano de Bergerac." It captures the play's romantic essence and the idea that true love transcends superficial appearances.

While these quotations are some of the most famous, it's worth noting that Rostand's plays are filled with many beautifully written lines and passages that have resonated with audiences for over a century.

One More Thing...

The character of Cyrano de Bergerac in Edmond Rostand's play is based on an actual historical figure! The real Cyrano de Bergerac lived in the 17th century and was a French novelist, playwright, and duelist. While many of the events and details of the play are fictional, Rostand was inspired by the real Cyrano's writings and exploits. This blend of fact and fiction has contributed to the enduring allure and intrigue of Rostand's iconic character.