Summary The Gascony Guards enter, proud of Cyrano. There is also a poet who wants to immortalize the exploit, and a newspaper editor who wants to interview Cyrano. The little pastry shop is suddenly full and noisy. Cyrano, of course, cares nothing for poets and reporters. When Le Bret asks […]
Read more Summary and Analysis Act II — Scenes 7-8Summary and Analysis Act II — Scenes 5-6
Summary Cyrano fills the “poetry-sacks” with pastry for Roxane’s duenna, who goes into the street to eat, then he and Roxane, who are cousins, reminisce about their childhood games. She tenderly bandages his injured hand with her handkerchief while she tells him shyly that she is in love with someone […]
Read more Summary and Analysis Act II — Scenes 5-6Summary and Analysis Act II — Scenes 3-4
Summary Cyrano enters and Ragueneau congratulates him on the duel in the theater the night before. But Cyrano is not interested in anything except his meeting with Roxane. He asks Ragueneau to clear the place out when he gives the signal, and Ragueneau agrees. A musketeer enters who will be […]
Read more Summary and Analysis Act II — Scenes 3-4Summary and Analysis Act II — Scenes 1-2
Summary Act II takes place in the pastry shop owned by Ragueneau, who was introduced in Act I. Ragueneau’s wife, Lise, has more business sense and less love of poetry than her husband-she has made sacks out of the poems his friends have left in payment for food. Two children […]
Read more Summary and Analysis Act II — Scenes 1-2Summary and Analysis Act I — Scenes 5-7
Summary As Cyrano eats the frugal “meal” provided by the adoring little orange girl, Le Bret warns him that his rash actions are making powerful enemies, but Cyrano refuses to be seriously concerned. He says, “I have decided to be admirable in everything.” He then confesses that he is in […]
Read more Summary and Analysis Act I — Scenes 5-7Summary and Analysis Act I — Scene 4
Summary Montfleury tries to continue his speech, but is repeatedly interrupted by Cyrano. The audience jeers Cyrano, who offers to fight anyone who will come forward in Montfleury’s defense, but no one comes. Montfleury leaves the stage. The theater manager points out to Cyrano that if he does not allow […]
Read more Summary and Analysis Act I — Scene 4Summary and Analysis Act I — Scenes 2-3
Summary Christian is introduced in Scene 2 by the poet, Ligniere. The poet/baker, Ragueneau, enters dressed in his Sunday best, and talks with Ligniere. He asks about Cyrano, who has forbidden Montfleury to act, but who has not yet appeared. Ragueneau describes Cyrano’s nose as well as his reputation as […]
Read more Summary and Analysis Act I — Scenes 2-3Summary and Analysis Act I — Scene 1
Summary The curtain rises to show the interior of a dimly lighted theater. Some cavaliers enter without paying and practice fencing; they are followed by two lackeys who sit on the floor and begin gambling; a middle-class man and his son enter; then a pickpocket and his accomplices come in. […]
Read more Summary and Analysis Act I — Scene 1Character List
Characters whose names are followed by an asterisk are known to have been historical figures. Cyrano de Bergerac* The main character of the play. He is a soldier, poet, philosopher, and scientist — a man of immense courage, versatility, and talent. He has an enormous nose and is very sensitive […]
Read more Character ListAbout Cyrano de Bergerac
Introduction The classical tradition of French drama was formalized in the seventeenth century, and the eighteenth century was an imitation of the seventeenth. During this time, the plays were usually centered on characters from history — most often Greek or Roman history or literature — and were of a psychological […]
Read more About Cyrano de Bergerac