Cyrano de Bergerac

Fiction | Play | Adult | Published in 1897

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Summary

Background

Act Summaries & Analyses

Act 1

Act 2

Act 3

Act 4

Act 5

Character Analysis

Themes

Symbols & Motifs

Literary Devices

Important Quotes

Essay Topics

Tools

Discussion Questions

Important Quotes

“I must find some way of meeting her. / I am dying of love!”

(Act 1, Page 10)

This is the beginning of the love triangle between Christian, Roxane, and Cyrano. Here, Christian talks about falling in love with Roxane having only seen her from afar. She also falls in love with Christian from afar, based on his good looks.

“Bloom of the peach— / Blush of the strawberry—”

(Act 1, Page 15)

This description of Roxane’s beauty by a marquis utilizes the motif of food. Many men harbor Unrequited Love for Roxane, and food is used to explain why they are enamored with her.

“I will not wound the mantle of the Muse—”

(Act 1, Page 30)

This is an example of the play’s love of poetry and poetic conventions. The Muse, which represents artistic inspiration, is invoked here by Cyrano. He offers all his money to close the play because he believes the lead actor is subpar, developing the theme of Artistry Versus Commercialism.