...While reading Cyrano de Bergerac, I always wondered whether or not Cyrano had a happy life. Because Cyrano’s happiness and self-worth is the focus of this essay. Was he happy? I can’t say for sure. If I look at his life, it seems that he never really got Roxane because he always sacrificed his happiness for the others and he also felt his ugliness was the cause of not getting Roxane’s hand. I really feel he did not care about his happiness. In that, he did not sacrifice it, as he split and divided it when he saw it was the best action. To an even further extent, this spiting of himself probably came from his low self-worth, not only his nose, but Roxanne. Since Roxanne thought a man was handsome and smart Cyrano stopped loving Roxanne on...
Words: 547 - Pages: 3
...In the play Cyrano de Bergerac, Cyrano is in love with Roxane but he doesn't want Roxane to know how much he loves her because he is scared and insecure that she will not love him back. “Through my nose? She might laugh at me; That is the one thing in this world I fear!” pg.50 Roxane claims to be in love with Christian and Christian claims to be in love with her but he isn’t the brightest so Cyrano offers to help him write to Roxane and help Christian sound intelligent, so Roxane will fall in love with Christian. Cyrano uses this as a way to express himself to Roxane and how much he loves her without Roxane really knowing its Cyrano talking to her. All Cyrano wants if for Roxane to be happy so he writes as Christian and makes Christian look like the perfect guy Roxane imagined him to be. Cyrano is selfless when it comes to...
Words: 694 - Pages: 3
...Love is a powerful thing. In the book Cyrano de Bergerac, Roxane says she loves Christians soul more than his appearance to show that she truly loves him. Which is more important, inner or outer beauty? Inner beauty is what you make it to be, something you form as you grow, while outer beauty is what you were born to look like, your biological features. They’re both things that make up who you are, they are both attractive things to have. However, very different things, and can change a person completely. In Cyrano de Bergerac, The characters have different views of true beauty. Cyrano and Roxane both share the thought of Inner beauty being more important. Christian however, felt betrayed when Roxane said “I didn’t really love you...
Words: 251 - Pages: 2
...Cyrano de Bergerac vs. Roxanne Shahaan Farrukh The play Cyrano de Bergerac and the modernized movie Roxanne draw many parallels with each other, a major one, of which, are the characters. Only four of the main characters are modernized into this movie, Le Bret into Dixie, Christian into Chris, Roxane into Roxanne, and most blatant, Cyrano and C.D. Bailes. These characters have equivalent traits but have differences that actually make some significant changes in the formula of the play. Although Cyrano and C.D. Bailes have many similarities and have the nose to reflect their exuberant personality, Bailes is not true at heart the Cyrano that we know in the play. Throughout the play it is evident that pride is very important to society especially to Cyrano, but in the movie Bailes tended to basically fight only when provoked. The difference being as Le Bret tells Cyrano in one scene in the play that his confidence, pride, and his own tendency to provoke people brought him lots of enemies. There is no scene in the movie like in the play’s opening where Cyrano was the one who started all the ruckus, beginning with Montfleury and leading to fights both physically and verbally. None of which would happen if he just let the crowd enjoy the play. This makes sense given that the movie is a modernization into a society where that type of pride is less abundant. It would be also much less likely for Cyrano to ask anyone to “fix” his nose, because that pride also would not allow...
Words: 662 - Pages: 3
...Cyrano de Bergerac is a play that was written by Rostand Edmond in the 1800s, but the story took place in the 1600s. The play tells the story of an odd love triangle between three of the main characters, Cyrano, Christian and Roxane. According to modern literary definitions of a comedy and a tragedy, a comedy can be described as one where, “the protagonist succeeds in his or her goal,” or one where, “a story treats the characters and situations in a humorous manner and the novel ends happily for the protagonist.” A tragedy is described as one that, “end unhappily for the protagonist,” and one in which, “the protagonist fails in his or her goal.” Throughout the story, aspects of both can be seen, but overall, the story is more of a tragedy....
Words: 1144 - Pages: 5
...fear but not every hero depicts those certain characteristics. In the classic play, Cyrano de Bergerac by Edmond Rostand, Cyrano, a swordsman and romantic poet, represents the qualities found within a tragic hero. Cyrano lacks self-confidence and ends up living more of an unfulfilled life knowing he fights a war within himself than against enemies, therefore he dies as a tragic hero in the end. To begin, Cyrano sets an excellent example of what qualities a tragic hero obtains and how those qualities apply to the decisions Cyrano make throughout the play that potentially lead to a dreadful denouement. In the beginning, Cyrano hides the fact that he struggles to accept his one and only obvious flaw, that being his nose. As a result, Cyrano acts as if he is superior to other who appear to challenge his authority such as the meddler who came to simply judge Cyrano’s looks and Cyrano is quick to acknowledge his nose by addressing,”For a great nose indicates a great man- / Genial, courageous, intellectual” (Edmond Rostand 29). Cyrano is commonly mistaken as an easy target but due to his cockiness, Cyrano simply humiliates whomever just to see his or her reaction since he views himself as an stupendous individual. Also, Cyrano portrays prosperity from the start of the...
Words: 967 - Pages: 4
...In the play entitled Cyrano de Bergerac, the principal character, Cyrano, falls in love with his precieuse cousin dubbed as Lady Roxane. Unfortunately, as a result of his substantially prolonged nose, Cyrano is seen by others as unsightly, despite the numerous prodigious skills he possesses. Due to this insecurity, Cyrano’s ability to confess his affection towards Roxane is sadly obstructed. Whilst Roxane becomes infatuated with an immensely handsome (but rather dull-witted) nobleman named Christian in the beginning of the play, her conception concerning her love interest(s) gradually enhances as one progresses through Cyrano de Bergerac. Attributable to her grand alteration in both maturity and disposition, her love in relation to Cyrano ought to be irrefutable as opposed to Christian’s....
Words: 398 - Pages: 2
...ENGL101-1501B March 2, 2015 Compare and Contrast Roxanne vs. Cyrano De Bergerac Although Roxanne and Cyrano De Bergerac are based on the same story, the nature of the characters and the ending in the two stories are different. People would rather see Roxanne and Charlie together and happy then the character of Charlie being killed as in Cyrano. In the following essay, I will be comparing and contrasting Roxanne and Cyrano De Bergerac in order to demonstrate how in the newer version, Roxanne and Charlie end up together and happy, whereas the original version kills off the character of Cyrano. I feel that Roxanne was a better movie because it has a happy ending unlike Cyrano De Bergerac that has a tragic ending. Isn’t it better to assume that the characters would rather have a fist fight than a sword fight? Isn’t it easier to accept the character as a firefighter rather than a French cadet? I believe so. To me, isn’t it more genuine to have the movie set in modern times in our country than Cyrano which is set in a time and place that no one alive can relate to? For example, the plots are the same, the ugly man wants the attractive girl but she is being swayed by looks rather than brains, but they are very different characters. Steve Martin’s Roxanne portrays love and happiness while Rostand’s Cyrano is a complicated and serious man, but both are similar in the way that they both appealed to people...
Words: 868 - Pages: 4
...In the discussion of Edmond Rostand’s Cyrano de Bergerac my classmate illuminated the meaning of the rankings. We learned that the cardinal was very powerful and second in rank to the king. This fact led me to the realization that when the cardinal was mentioned it was seen as both respectable and impressive. In addition, we discussed that De Guiche is a Count which is a middle class ranking. While, Cyrano is just a guard which is a low military ranking. Therefore, this furthered my understanding that their conflict also encompasses class struggle. Additionally, a classmate started the discussion on the difference in the time the play was set and the time period it was written. Cyrano de Bergerac takes place in 17th century France. This was...
Words: 336 - Pages: 2
...Rostand suggests how patronage causes an artist to lose his individuality. He shows this through Cyrano’s speech to Le Bret. Cyrano’s deep criticism of the poetic platform expresses insight on how a multitude of composers are too caught up in the act of pleasing others. After a glorious triumph over one hundred men the night before, Cyrano receives an overflowing amount of praise, yet he refuses to accept an offer to work with the most powerful figure in France knowing that his work can be tampered with. Le Bret, Cyrano’s right-hand man, disapproves of his friend’s actions as chances for success are now slim, however, Cyrano’s response remains true to his ideals: “Tickle the horns of Mammon with my left hand, while my right too proud to...
Words: 375 - Pages: 2
...In Cyrano De Bergerac by Edmond Rostand, the character of Cyrano's defining trait is his romanticism, due to its role as a significant motivator of his actions as well as the cause of much of his internal conflict. When explaining his motivation in kicking the actor, Montfluery, off his stage, Cyrano explains to Le Bret, "I've hated him since the day he looked at... It was like watching a slimy slug crawl on a flower!" (Rostand 49) When he trails off he is referring to the woman he loves, Roxane, whom he imagines is so pure Montfluery should not even gaze upon her. This demonstrates how his deep sensitivity to beauty and romance drive him to defend those he loves, even if that person does not know of his actions or if the threat...
Words: 314 - Pages: 2
...true for Cyrano. The play Cyrano de Bergerac, written by Edmond Rostand, takes place in the 1600’s in Paris France. It displays the main character, Cyrano, who is in love with the woman Roxane but is disappointed after realizing that his love for her is not mutual. Although in some cases Cyrano’s huge nose brings him pride, the majority of the time it brings him pain. Cyrano’s nose causes him a lot of pain when interacting with other people. This is evident during his first real encounter with Roxane. Cyrano becomes extremely nervous and anxious when he learns that Roxane wants to meet with him. Roxane begins describing all the qualities of the man she loves to Cyrano during their meeting in Ragueneau’s pastry shop. At this point Cyrano is extremely excited because all of them are fitting his own description. This is true until she says, “His face shines with wit and intelligence. He’s proud, noble, young, fearless, handsome…”(Cyrano 2.6.77). Cyrano stands up quickly with a stricken expression and it is here that he realizes that it is not him that Roxane loves. This causes a lot of pain to Cyrano because he is rejected for his unattractive nose. Cyrano’s pain is enhanced when she tells him that he is her best friend. Cyrano is not anticipating this and realizes that he will not have a chance with Roxane. It is reasonable to say that if Cyrano were to have a more normal nose, Roxane’s description will fit Cyrano exactly. After this point in the story, Cyrano has a...
Words: 871 - Pages: 4
...Edmond Rostand’s play Cyrano de Bergerac is a play that was created during the Romantic era. During the Romantic era, people looked back at the works of Shakespeare and borrowed the characteristics from his writings. Shakespeare’s plays were full of emotions, action, and passion. Cyrano de Bergerac contains these characteristics, especially because Cyrano loves Roxane, but Roxanne likes someone else. Roxanne even asks Cyrano about the man she likes, which causes Cyrano to become sad. Lastly, there is a fencing scene that has a lot of action because of the quick movements, and because Cyrano cuts the loser on his face. The set and costumes are very realistic. They are important to the play because accuracy was important during the Romantic...
Words: 288 - Pages: 2
...In the play Cyrano de Bergerac, written by Edmond Rostand, he shows that a person no longer falls in love with a person for their charisma, but for their appearence. Edmond shows this throughout the play by how he portrays the actions of Roxane, Christian, and Cyrano. Rostand shows that Roxane is a woman who cares more about outside appearance than getting to know what is on the inside. When Roxane confesses her love for Christian she is hit with the words, “you, who only words, wit, the grand manner-why for all you know, the man may be a savage, or a fool” (Rostand 64), yet she doesn’t care because “people talk about people; and she hears things.... and she knows” (64) that she is truly in love with this “proud-noble-young-brave-beautiful”(63) man. She has not spoken to this young man but is convinced she is in love due to the fact she is merely lusting over him. She does not realize that she is actually in love with Cyrano for the reason that he has never came off as appealing to her until he confesses the letters were his and it hits her that she has “never loved but one man in” her “life”(193) and that man is Cyrano. Furthermore, Christian comes off as being the man who falls easily by a quick sighting. When he witnesses Roxane’s for the first time “he forgets everything, and stands spellbound, gazing towards” (15) her while encompassing her beauty. This is what he believes as being love at first sight, making him want to do anything to gain her love. Christian knows...
Words: 587 - Pages: 3
...Harris. Cyrano de Bergerac is a fictional play written by Edmund Rostand, which portrays the life of a real person called Savinien Cyrano de Bergerac, who lived in France in the early 1600s. The author Rostand (1858 - 1918), was a playwright and poet. Edmund Rostand is famously known for his classical work of literature and drama: the magnificent Cyrano de Bergerac, and other works such as Les Romanesques, which was his first play, La Princesse Lointaine, La Samaritaine, and L'Aiglon, which was a play about King Napoleone’s hair. Edmund Rostand was elected to the French Academy at the age of thirty-three...
Words: 1423 - Pages: 6
