Summary The cadets complain of hunger. Cyrano tries to entertain them with his wit, but when even he cannot cheer them up, he asks an old piper to play some familiar Provencal songs for them and speaks to them of home. When Carbon protests that Cyrano is making them cry, […]
Read more Summary and Analysis Act IV — Scenes 2-3Summary and Analysis Act IV — Scene 1
Summary This act takes place in the camp of the Gascony Guards at the siege of Arras. The soldiers are all suffering from hunger, for while the French are besieging Arras, the Spanish have encircled them and no supplies can be brought to them through the lines. Cyrano, at great […]
Read more Summary and Analysis Act IV — Scene 1Summary and Analysis Act III — Scenes 11-12
Summary Cyrano has climbed to the top of the wall, and when De Guiche enters, Cyrano swings from a branch and drops down in front of him. He tells De Guiche that he came from the moon and asks where he is. In spite of himself, De Guiche is amused. […]
Read more Summary and Analysis Act III — Scenes 11-12Summary and Analysis Act III — Scenes 8-10
Summary A monk comes by, looking for Roxane’s house, and Cyrano misdirects him. Christian wants Roxane’s kiss, climbs the balcony, and kisses her. The monk returns. He is delivering a letter from De Guiche to Roxane. De Guiche has sent his regiment on but has stayed behind himself. The letter […]
Read more Summary and Analysis Act III — Scenes 8-10Summary and Analysis Act III — Scenes 5-7
Summary Christian tells Roxane, “I love you.” “That,” she replies, “is the theme. Embroider.” Of course, poor Christian can think of nothing else to say. Roxane goes inside in disgust. Christian asks Cyrano to help him. Cyrano hides under Roxane’s balcony and whispers to Christian, who repeats the words aloud […]
Read more Summary and Analysis Act III — Scenes 5-7Summary and Analysis Act III — Scene 4
Summary Christian refuses to memorize speeches tonight. He is tired of pretense: He knows enough, he says, to take a woman in his arms. He knows that Roxane loves him, and refuses to continue this uncomfortable and demeaning role. Analysis We have already seen, in Act II, that Christian is […]
Read more Summary and Analysis Act III — Scene 4Summary and Analysis Act III — Scenes 2-3
Summary De Guiche enters and tells Roxane that he has come to say goodbye. He has been placed in command of Cyrano’s regiment. She tells him that if he really wants to hurt Cyrano, he should leave him and the other cadets behind, while the rest of the regiment goes […]
Read more Summary and Analysis Act III — Scenes 2-3Summary and Analysis Act III — Scene 1
Summary Act III, entitled “Roxane’s Kiss,” takes place in the street under Roxane’s balcony. It opens with Ragueneau telling Roxane’s duenna that his wife, Lise, ran off with the musketeer. He tried to hang himself, but Cyrano saved him and brought him to Roxane to be a steward in her […]
Read more Summary and Analysis Act III — Scene 1Summary and Analysis Act II — Scene 11
Summary The cadets re-enter, and much to their surprise find Christian still alive. The musketeer, deciding that one can now make fun of Cyrano’s nose with impunity, tries his hand at the game. Cyrano knocks him down. Analysis Throughout this act, Cyrano’s emotions have run the gamut from elation to […]
Read more Summary and Analysis Act II — Scene 11Summary and Analysis Act II — Scenes 9-10
Summary Christian enters and talks with the Guards, and the other cadets tell him that he must under no circumstances mention or imply the word “nose” in Cyrano’s presence. The cadets ask Cyrano to tell them about the fights of the evening before. Averse as he was to telling reporters […]
Read more Summary and Analysis Act II — Scenes 9-10