Cyrano De Bergerac

Cyrano de Bergerac As quoted from the heroic comedy Cyrano De Bergerac by Edmond Rostand, "I am afraid your speech was a little short, young man. You could have said...oh, all sorts of things, varying your tone to fit your words. Let me give you a few examples." Cyrano then proceeds to flood Valvert in a storm of witty remarks that mock himself, but he is unique in that he uses his self mockery as a device to utterly humble and humiliate Valvert. Then the scene is set for some harsh words prior to a fight, and that is when Cyrano makes his speech. In just one paragraph, his words explain everything about who he is. Cyrano is what he is, and he expresses it with frankness. He is proud of that; he is a great man to everyone.

VALVERT: Such arrogance from an uncouth barbarian who...who...isn't even wearing gloves! Who appears in public without ribbons, or tassels, or braid! CYRANO: I have a different idea of elegance.

English: Edmond Rostand, Aged Twenty-nine, at the ...

Cyrano

Old statue of Cyrano de Bergerac

I don't dress like a fop, it's true, but my moral grooming is impeccable. I never appear in public with a soiled conscience, a tarnished honor, threadbare scruples, or an insult that I haven't washed away. I'm always immaculately clean, adorned with independence and frankness. I may not cut a stylish figure, but I hold my soul erect. I wear my deeds as ribbons, my wit is sharper then the finest mustache, and when I walk among men I make truths ring like spurs.

Act I of Cyrano De Bergerac -- page 474 Cyrano is unique, and his uniqueness extends beyond his unattractive appearance. The nose only helps to symbolize it. ("I have a different idea of elegance. I don't dress like a fop.") He is not overly concerned with his appearance. His eloquence comes from deeper within. He doesn't dress himself up to look the part, he is it. His ethics are perfectly laid out in front of him. ("It's true, but my moral grooming is impeccable.") He has his morals straight and they are unyeilding.

     Cyrano does not have the flaws that many others have. He has a clean conscience, and he has never been dishonorable, nor has he ever done a wrongdoing. ("I never appear in public with a soiled conscience, a tarnished honor...") The other people have dirty deeds to their name, but in public they pretend they have perfect records. Unlike them, he has his his morals. They are not tattered or frayed and unraveling. ("...threadbare scruples...") When he is insulted he deals with it on the spot. He does not walk away mumbling and swearing revenge. (...an insult that I haven't washed away...").

    Inside, Cyrano is the perfect human. ("Always immaculately clean, adorned with independence and frankness.") He is morally spotless and unique in that he doesn't pretend to be what he isn't. He is straightforward and although he doesn't dress in a fancy manner, he is incredibly proud of who he is. ("May not cut a stylish figure, but I hold my soul erect. I wear my deeds as ribbons.") He lets his actions speak for himself, and he proudly tells stories of what he has done. He is also very clever, and he doesn't need be stylish to make himself look witty. ("Wit is sharper then the finest mustache.") He does not t need any certain image.

     "When I walk among men, I make truths ring like spurs." Cyrano's conclusion to his speech sums up all the traits that are his. This last line means he doesn't need jingling spurs polished shiny to make himself stand out. His frankness and straightforwardness ring louder then anything else. He is himself. He is not like the others, and he is proud for that. Cyrano de Bergerac is a heroic figure to admire.

Français : CYRANO

Français : Statue de Cyrano de Bergerac

Cyrano de Bergerac (1990 film)