The Principles of Cyrano de Bergerac
In Edmond Rostand’s Cyrano de Bergerac, the titular protagonist leads a life guided by certain principles, setting him apart from the typical person and making him the epitome of a Romantic hero. Even in instances where violating these principles would prove to be more wise, or when they conflict with his feelings and desires, Cyrano nobly stays in line with them. From the very beginning of the play, Cyrano is depicted as an honorable and confident character who stands up for what he believes in and for who he cares about. One of Cyrano’s definitive qualities is desire for freedom and individuality. When the villainous Count de Guiche offers for Richelieu, one of France’s most powerful men, to be Cyrano’s patron, Cyrano refuses. Le Bret, …show more content…
He is also fiercely loyal to his companions, defending Ligniere from the men sent to kill him and confronting Lise, Ragueneau’s wife, about her affair. What Cyrano waivers in is his honesty toward Roxane. Believing it to be his only chance at expressing his feelings toward Roxane, Cyrano pretends to be Christian and writes letters to and speaks words of love to her. Even after Christian dies in the battle and it is made clear that Roxane would have loved him even if he were an unattractive person, Cyrano does not tell Roxane that he was behind the letters because while he may still be hiding behind the persona that he and Christian made up, he also wants Roxane to think of Christian in a good light upon his death. In addition to paying
In Edmond Rostand’s Cyrano de Bergerac, the titular protagonist leads a life guided by certain principles, setting him apart from the typical person and making him the epitome of a Romantic hero. Even in instances where violating these principles would prove to be more wise, or when they conflict with his feelings and desires, Cyrano nobly stays in line with them. From the very beginning of the play, Cyrano is depicted as an honorable and confident character who stands up for what he believes in and for who he cares about. One of Cyrano’s definitive qualities is desire for freedom and individuality. When the villainous Count de Guiche offers for Richelieu, one of France’s most powerful men, to be Cyrano’s patron, Cyrano refuses. Le Bret, …show more content…
He is also fiercely loyal to his companions, defending Ligniere from the men sent to kill him and confronting Lise, Ragueneau’s wife, about her affair. What Cyrano waivers in is his honesty toward Roxane. Believing it to be his only chance at expressing his feelings toward Roxane, Cyrano pretends to be Christian and writes letters to and speaks words of love to her. Even after Christian dies in the battle and it is made clear that Roxane would have loved him even if he were an unattractive person, Cyrano does not tell Roxane that he was behind the letters because while he may still be hiding behind the persona that he and Christian made up, he also wants Roxane to think of Christian in a good light upon his death. In addition to paying