Meticulously researched and poetically written, Cyrano de Bergerac is Edmond Rostand’s retelling of the real-life Cyrano, a French nobleman, duelist, and poet famous for his large nose. In Rostand’s play, Cyrano finds himself in a love triangle with his cousin Roxane and a young cadet, the Baron Christian de Neuvillete. Roxane and Christian have fallen in love without exchanging a single word, and Roxane enlists her cousin’s help to introduce them, as well as protect Christian from trouble amongst the other cadets and in war. Cyrano puts his own love for Roxane aside to fulfill her happiness, writing beautiful love letters and allowing the inexperienced and ineloquent Christian the credit. Will Roxane learn the truth about her love? Will Cyrano ever be able to confess his love? In Cyrano, Rostand created some of the most famous scenes in French drama - the duel at the theatre, the pastry shop poetry, the balcony wooing for Roxane’s kiss - and inspired retellings and adaptations for generations to come.
Cyrano de Bergerac guide sections
