Cyrano de Bergerac: Cyranos Qualities :: Cyrano De Bergerac Essays

Throughout Edmond Rostands classic play, Cyrano de Bergerac, the title character, Cyrano, is a passionate writer whose complex and rich personal qualities are the foundation of his matchless eloquence. Cyranos unrivaled sense of humor is a defense against those who humiliate him for his outlandish appearance. For example, during the nose speech, Cyrano challenges Valvert with twenty stunningly varied and complex alternative suggestions, nonpareil more stinging than the next, to replace Valverts banal attempt at insult. Cyranos retaliation against Valverts feeble attempt at embarrassment backfires as Cyrano destroys his opponent with a tirade of ingenious examples of how better to insult "the nose" Its a rock, a peak, a cape No, more than a cape a peninsula (41). In addition to Cyranos wit, his language is deeply thought-out and rich with poetic imagination. Cyrano amplifies upon a single word by using concrete words to spin a simple concept into a memorable poetic experienc e. Cyrano illustrates the value of Christians need for a kiss from Roxane After all, what is a kiss? A vow made at closer range, a more precise promise, a confession that contains its own proof, a seal placed on a pact that has already been signed its a secret told to the mouth rather than to the ear, a fleeting moment filled with the hush of eternity (126). Furthermore, it is in compensation for Cyranos great suffering that his verbal style is so sensitive and brilliant. He will always love in vain 2Look at me and tell me what hope this protuberance might leave meI go into a garden, smelling the fragrance of spring with my poor inconclusive nose, and watch a man and a woman strolling together in the moonlight. I think how much I, too, would like to be walking arm in arm with a woman, under the moon (51). Incorporating cleverness and eloquence into his language, Cyrano replies to Le Brets sympathy with the response that he would never let a majestic tear be lowered by having to ru n down such an ugly nose.