Journal Entries for Cyrano de Bergerac

Essay by mauhan October 2004

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I have read Edmond Rostand's Cyrano de Bergerac before, a long time ago in francais, and loved it. This time around, it didn't take a long time at all to remember why I was so captivated by the story. Why would Valvert dare to even care about Cyrano pushing around the Meddler, why even speak? Cyrano is already on a role, and everyone seems to know that you don't challenge Cyrano de Bergerac, everyone except Valvert. Valvert opens his mouth and out comes a ridiculously simple insult aimed towards Cyrano's characteristic nose.

Thus, a beautifully and hilariously written monologue comes from Cyrano. His basis is nothing but his independent nose and how many ways it could be insulted. I love how this whole medley of insults designed towards his own stature results in an incredible insult to Valvert. Cyrano proves his own wit wonderful, and Valvert's sorely lacking.

Nevertheless, Valvert decides to speak once more and calls Cyrano a clown and questions where his gloves and ribbons are? Of course, Cyrano speaks of his adornments and then explains that he did have one glove, "the last on of an old pair--and lost that. Very careless...Some Gentlemen offered me an impertinence. [He] left it--in his face."

Journal Entry 2, 7/25/04: p.34

The argument between Cyrano and Valvert does not end peacefully; instead it ends in a duel. It was in no way an average duel though, instead a wonderful scene in which Cyrano decides to "make a Ballade Extempore." So as the two go on with their swords play, Cyrano delivers exactly what he premeditated, three stanzas of eight lines each, and a refrain of four, "and at the end of the last line--thrust home!"

Rostand composes a great scene in which Cyrano de Bergerac performs his "Ballade of...