CYRANO DE BERGERAC
Mr. Lorentzen
English II
Background Information
SETTING
• This play is set in France
between the years of
1640 and 1655.
• Throughout the play,
France is involved in the
Thirty Years’ War,
fought against the Holy
Roman Empire.
Background Information
AUTHOR
• This play was written by
Edmond Rostand in 1897.
• At the time, France was
involved in the Industrial
Revolution.
• Realism dominated the
arts, but Rostand was
part of the neoromanticist movement.
Edmond Rostand
Background Information
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ROMANTICISM
First became popular during
the late 18th century.
Stresses intense emotion and
expression.
Focuses on the individual and
his/her rebellion against social
conventions.
Lots of action and
sensationalism.
Why do you think this movement emerged during the Industrial Revolution?
Terminology
• Protagonist: the main character of a story
• Foil: a character that contrasts with the
protagonist
• Highlights various aspects of the protagonist’s
personality
• Often has something in common with the protagonist,
as well
Cyrano de Bergerac
• The protagonist of the play
• Intelligence: Described as a
poet, swordsman, musician,
and philosopher… basically,
a really smart and witty guy
• Physical Appearance:
Cursed by an abnormally
large nose… and he’s really
sensitive about it!
Christian de Neuvillette
• A foil for Cyrano
• Intelligence: Not the
brightest crayon in the box
• Physical Appearance:
Considered incredibly
handsome
Cyrano and Christian
• Occupation: They’re
both cadets (noble
soldiers) in the French
army
• Love interest: They’re
both in love with
Roxane
Characterization
• Direct Characterization: A straightforward
description of a character’s personality
• Indirect Characterization: When the character’s
personality is revealed through his/her
thoughts, words, and actions
IRONY
• Situational Irony: When something happens
that is not expected.
– Ex: The firehouse burns down.
– Ex: The police station was robbed.
– Ex: Calling for snow when it was 65 degrees last
weekend.
IRONY
• Dramatic Irony: When the audience knows
something that a character does not.
• Verbal Irony: When characters say something
they don’t mean (a.k.a. sarcasm).
Act I
• Paris, 1640, theatre of Hotel Burgundy.
• Christian arrives with his friend Ligniere, who he
hopes will tell him the name of the woman with
whom he has fallen in love (Roxane). Christian
learns that Count de Guiche is scheming to
marry Roxane off to the Viscount Valvert (Why?)
• Meanwhile, Cyrano’s friends Rageneau and Le
Bret are expecting him to come and banish the
actor Montfleury from the stage…
Act II
• Cyrano goes to the Pastry Shop of Ragueneau, a
friend of his, to wait for Roxane to come visit
him.
• Cyrano writes a love letter to Roxane and plans
to give it to her if she offers any kind of hint that
she might be in love with him.
• Roxane arrives, and Cyrano sends her maid out
to eat some cream puffs.
Act II
• Count de Guiche enters the scene and asks
Cyrano to join his following and let him be his
patron. Cyrano refuses, and upsets the Count.
(Knowing the type of person he is, why do you
think he refuses?)
• The Cadets arrive, and Cyrano tells them the
story of his victory over 100 men. Christian, who
has just joined the regiment this morning, thinks
he Cyrano is too boastful and keeps interrupting
the story by insulting his nose. Cyrano learns
who he is and asks to meet with him alone.
ACT III
• De Guiche meets with Roxane alone and informs her
that he has become the commander of the Guard. He
tries to arrange a rendezvous with Roxane before he
goes off to war. Roxane refuses, but contrives to have
the Cadets remain in Paris. « Strike at Cyrano’s selfesteem… »
• After Cyrano wins Roxane with words, Christian asks for
a kiss, which she gives. A priest conveniently shows up
and Roxane and Christian get married. De Guiche
comes back to the scene and Cyrano tries to distract
him from the wedding. However, De Guiche eventually
finds out and decides to punish them by sending
Christian and Cyrano’s Cadets into battle after all.
ACT IV
• The French Cadets are cut off by the Spanish
forces, and they are starving!
• The Cadets hate De Guiche, who sends a spy to
tell the Spanish to attack the Cadets while they
wait for more relief to come in.
• Roxane arrives in a coach, bringing food and
drink to the starving soldiers.
~~~~~~~~~~~~
• After Christian dies, Cyrano rallies the Cadets to
hold back the Spanish until relief comes.
ACT V
• Roxane is living in a convent, eternally mourning
her beloved Christian.
• Cyrano arrives to speak with her as he always
does, bringing her news of the outside world.
However, he has been mortally wounded…
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
• Cyrano dies in Roxane’s arms, as she tells him
she loves him…
« I never loved but one man in my life, and I have
lost him—twice… » ~Roxane