Tragedy In Rostand: Cyrano And Roxane

Rostand demonstrates the mismatch of tragedy and an optimistic lead through characters such as Cyrano and Roxane. In the second act, Roxane, whom Cyrano is in love with, tells him that she has fallen for someone in his group of cadets. When she reveals the man to be Christian de Neuvillette, Cyrano becomes crestfallen. He turns away, only to have Roxane ask him if Cyrano will, “be [Christian's] friend,” and “never let [Christian] fight a duel” (II. 76). Cyrano agrees to Roxane’s claims, only to have her reply, “We are great friends, are we not?” (II. 77).
For Cyrano, the event proves to be a tragedy, since he loves Roxane, only to be indirectly rejected, and sent to help someone he is not familiar with. Even though Cyrano is very upset with