1. Point out ways in which Rostand shows Cyrano’s personality, accomplishments, and character. 2. What is Rostand’s attitude toward Roxane? 3. Is the appearance of De Guiche necessary in Act V? Why does Rostand include him in this act? 4. Discuss various ways in which Rostand prepares the audience for […]
Read more Study Help Essay QuestionsCritical Essays Stagecraft of Rostand
Cyrano de Bergerac could easily have been melodramatic if it were not for the fine balance of the play: the actions and settings are well matched; the interest of the audience is held by color and excitement until the characters develop; and the costumes suit the setting, the mood, and […]
Read more Critical Essays Stagecraft of RostandCritical Essays Theme and Irony in Cyrano de Bergerac
Irony may be loosely defined as a distinct difference between what appears to be and what is. Because the main idea of Cyrano de Bergerac is the conflict between appearance and truth, it is obvious that theme and irony are closely woven in the play. Irony is, of course, one […]
Read more Critical Essays Theme and Irony in Cyrano de BergeracCritical Essays Cyrano de Bergerac as History
During his lifetime, Edmond Rostand was in revolt against the important movements of his age — naturalism, symbolism, and lbsenism — and all his plays illustrated his idea that an illusion or unattained ideal is superior to real life. Although his plays, particularly Cyrano de Bergerac, are undeniably romantic, the […]
Read more Critical Essays Cyrano de Bergerac as HistoryCritical Essays Cyrano de Bergerac as a Virtuoso Play
Many critics have called Cyrano a virtuoso play, saying that it was written especially to capitalize upon the sundry talents of the famous French actor, Constant Coquelin. There is, of course, a precedent for thinking that Rostand wrote Cyrano with Coquelin in mind; he had previously written La Samaritaine specifically […]
Read more Critical Essays Cyrano de Bergerac as a Virtuoso PlayCritical Essays Nineteenth-Century French Drama
During the Renaissance, France was slavishly following the classic patterns in its drama, particularly those laid down by Aristotle in his famous definition of tragedy. Plays observed the unities — of place (only one setting), time (twenty-four hours), and action (everything in the play points toward one major conflict). There […]
Read more Critical Essays Nineteenth-Century French DramaCritical Essays Cyrano de Bergerac as Romanticism
Because Cyrano is so often referred to as a romantic play, a discussion of romantic and romanticism seems to be in order. Three aspects of the words romantic and romance should be considered by the student of Cyrano: romance, meaning a medieval, chivalric tale; romantic, as used in English literary […]
Read more Critical Essays Cyrano de Bergerac as RomanticismEdmond Rostand Biography
Edmond Rostand was born in Marseilles, France, on April 1, 1868. When he was twenty-two years old, he married the poet, Rosemond Gerard, and presented his first book, a volume of poems, to her as a wedding gift. His first play, Les Romanesques, which concerned two young lovers, appeared four […]
Read more Edmond Rostand BiographyCharacter Analysis De Guiche
In contrast to the two idealists, Roxane and Cyrano, we have De Guiche. He is a worldly, sophisticated cynic. He is motivated by personal desires rather than ideals. His own comfort means more to him than any noble idea. He takes revenge on Cyrano and Christian for having stolen Roxane […]
Read more Character Analysis De GuicheCharacter Analysis Roxane
The character of Roxane is difficult to accept at first. She is a romantic idealist, but seemingly not of the depth of character or intelligence of Cyrano. She is, rather, a precieuse. Her attention is on the surface of things, just as Cyrano’s is on the roots. She seems as […]
Read more Character Analysis Roxane