Cyrano de Bergerac

1. Cyrano de Bergerac By Edmond Rostand “The last great romantic dramatist”

2. The author- Edmond Rostand • Born April 1869; French poet and dramatist • Rostand was married to poet RosemondeEtienette Gerard and had two sons • Completed Cyrano in 1897 • In 1901, Rostand became the youngest writer to be elected to the French Academy • All of Rostand's best works, it seems, are tragedies, yet they leave the audience with a feeling of happiness and inspiration that many a comedy fails of producing. • Rostand died in France in 1918

3. Cyrano de Bergerac:A Romantic Comedy Cyrano is referred to as a Romantic play - Romance – as a medieval tale – was a French literary form Tales concerned daring deeds of knights and the relationship of the knights to their ladies Roman de la Rose and Chanson de Roland: tales in which the chevalier servant loved his lady from a far and wrote her poetry Heroes were brave, noble, steadfast – their word is their bond

4. Cyrano de Bergerac—the historical character • Savinien de Cyrano de Bergerac (1619 –1655) was a Frenchdramatist and duellistwho is now best remembered for the many works of fiction which have been woven around his life story, big nose and all… • From prominent – not noble – family • Wrote poetry, political pamphlets, some plays – Moliere did in fact use two scenes written by Cyrano! • His high courage and equally high spirit made him many enemies and gained him a reputation as a romantic hero

5. Cyrano de Bergeracas Romanticism • Romantic period in Europe vaguely began in the late 18th century and ended in middle of the 19th century. • Imagination, emotion, and freedom are certainly the focal points of romanticism. • Characteristics of Romantic literature: • an emphasis on individualism; • spontaneity; • freedom from rules; • solitary life rather than life in society; • the beliefs that imagination is superior to reason and devotion to beauty; • love of and worship of nature; • and fascination with the past, especially the myths and mysticism of the middle ages.

6. Cyrano de Bergeracas Romanticism, Continued • Romantic treatments are sometimes sentimental, idealistic rather than realistic • A reaction to the restrained neoclassical attitude of reason, order and balance • The Romantics freed the French drama from the two unities of time and place. • Written in 1897, many believed Cyrano to be the revival of Romanticism • Cyrano is celebrated for its idealism

7. History of 17th Century Paris • 1610 – Louis XIII becomes King of France. • 1618 – The Thirty Years War begins – Austria and Spain go to war with a group of German Princes. • 1624 – Cardinal Richelieu becomes first minister of France. • 1634 – Spanish troops invade central and northern Europe. • 1635 – France declares war on Austria and Spain.

8. History of 17th Century Paris, Continued • 1639 - The real Cyrano is wounded in battle. • 1641 – Cyrano leaves the army and takes up literature. • 1643 – Louis XIII dies, Louis the XIV becomes king. • 1645 – Cyrano dies from head injuries from a log dropped on his head.

9. Terms you should know • Comic relief – a witty exchange, skit, or soliloquy that the author inserts to ease tensions within a serious work. • Melodrama – a romantic or sensational plot carried to the extremes of emotion in weeping, or dismay. The final act of Cyrano has been labeled melodrama

10. MORE Terms you should know Troubadours— • Lyric poets in Southern France, northern Italy, and northern Spain, who composed songs about courtly love. • A strolling minstrel. • The “real” Cyrano was said to be a minstrel and a great swordsman.

11. MORE Terms you should know Dramatic Irony— • Occurs when the audience of a play or the reader of a work of literature knows something that a character in the work itself does not know

12. MORE Terms you should know Unrequited Love--Love not returned in kind; "unrequited (unanswered) love“ "Let no one who loves be unhappy. Even love unreturned has it's rainbow." -James Matthew Barrie "Nothing takes the taste out of peanut butter quite like unrequited love." -"Charlie Brown"

13. MORE Terms you should know Tragedy— • A drama or literary work in which the main character is brought to ruin or suffers extreme sorrow, especially as a consequence of a tragic flaw, moral weakness, or inability to cope with unfavorable circumstances.

14. Themes and Motifs in Cyrano • Unrequited love • Physical beauty vs. spiritual beauty (is one more real than the other?) • Heroism • Arrogance • Loyalty • Sacrifice Extensive monologues using subtle wit, alliteration, and double entendres

15. Characters • Cyrano de Bergerac – our hero • Roxanne his precieuse – a person of highly affected language manners and dress – appearance was of utmost importance • Christian de Neuvillette – good looking soldier • Compte de Guiche – the villain • Ragueneau – poet, baker friend of Cyrano

16. Characters • Ligniere – drunk singer of satiric songs • Valvert – a dandy friend of de Guiche • Montfluerry – a horrible actor • And many, many, more…..