CYRANO DE BERGERACMayfieldEnglish II

Background InformationAUTHOR• This play was written by

Edmond Rostand in 1897.• Fun fact: born in Marseilles,

France• At the time, France was

involved in the Industrial Revolution.

• Realism dominated the arts, but Rostand was part of the neo-romanticist movement.

Edmond Rostand

Background Information

• In 1914, he volunteered for the army. He was rejected

• Instead, he wrote patriotic poems• Died in 1918 in Paris. He was 50.• Rostand’s talent was to create a heroic

character in Cyrano who transcends time.

Background Information

• Has been made into movies, songs, and tv shows - instant success, modern classic

• Author and cast were doubtful of play’s success but audience loved the beautiful language of poetry and the intriguing story

• Known for “unforgettable hero” and “romantic spirit”

• performed 500 times in one year

Background Information

• Play is responsible for adding “panache” to English language– Flair, individual style, verve, pizazz

• Play based on the real Cyrano de Bergerac because he was Rostand’s favorite author

• Combines romance, heroic action, and humor

The Real Cyrano

Background Information

SETTING•Takes place in France, mostly during 1640, in the 17th century before Louis XIV was on the throne•Throughout the play, France is involved in the Thirty Years’ War, fought against the Holy Roman Empire (Spanish troops)•In Act IV, there is a dramatic moment in French campaign to liberate parts of the Netherlands

Background Information

• France Needed This Play– Golden Age was over– Social and economic problems– French Revolution flipped social structure upside down– Franco/Prussian War left France with bad economy– Military crisis– National decline– Morale was low

Background Information• True gentleman – Man of culture– Excelling in both swordplay and wordplay– Eloquent speech– Skill at dance– Refinement of manners– Appreciation of arts– Intellectual curiosity– Wit– Spiritual or platonic attitude in love– Ability to write poetry

Literary InformationROMANTICISM

• 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.

Literary Information

• Willing Suspension of Disbelief—The audience must put aside critical beliefs to accept the unreal world that the author creates.

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.

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 self-esteem… »

• 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