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Study guide

Cyrano de Bergerac Study Guide

Edmond Rostand

Cyrano de Bergerac is a witty, courageous poet and soldier whose remarkable imagination cannot hide his deepest insecurity. In love with the brilliant Roxane, he finds himself drawn into a complicated plan involving Christian, a handsome young man who struggles to express his feelings. Set among theatres, gardens and military camps, Rostand’s play blends humour, romance, adventure and thoughtful questions about appearance, loyalty and the power of words. Can true feelings be recognised when the voice behind them remains hidden?

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Scenes

Act I

Act II

Act III

Act IV

Act V

Characters

Settings

Society & Values

Symbols

Themes

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Cyrano de Bergerac

Edmond Rostand

  1. Act I
  2. Scene 1

    Scene 1 · The Theatre Audience

    As the audience gathers, the theatre fills with fencing, gambling, flirting, drinking and mischief. Pages plan pranks, pickpockets train recruits, and nobles worry about being noticed. This lively, disorderly crowd creates a comic picture of theatre before “the play” begins.

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  3. Scene 2

    Scene 2 · Christian Meets Lignière

    Christian arrives at the theatre with Lignière and learns that Roxane is beautiful, intelligent and connected to Cyrano. When he sees her beside De Guiche, Christian decides to confront Valvert, while rumours spread that Cyrano may disrupt the performance.

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  4. Scene 3

    Scene 3 · De Guiche and Valvert

    Christian prepares to confront Valvert, but a pickpocket warns him that Lignière is facing an ambush. Christian chooses rescue over romance. As the theatre settles, Montfleury begins his speech—until Cyrano’s furious voice interrupts the performance.

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  5. Scene 4

    Scene 4 · Cyrano Challenges Montfleury

    Cyrano forces Montfleury from the stage, then turns Valvert’s insult about his nose into a dazzling sword fight. After defeating him while reciting poetry, Cyrano gives away his money, proudly choosing a dramatic gesture despite having nothing left for dinner.

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  6. Scene 5

    Scene 5 · Cyrano and Le Bret

    Le Bret warns Cyrano that his bold behaviour is creating enemies, but Cyrano proudly says he wants only to be admirable. He then confesses his love for Roxane and reveals his fear that his appearance makes love impossible. Roxane’s duenna arrives with a private message.

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  7. Scene 6

    Scene 6 · Roxane's Message

    Roxane sends her duenna to arrange a private meeting with Cyrano at dawn after first mass. Overcome by hope, he struggles to respond, then chooses Ragueneau’s pastry shop as their meeting place and promises not to forget.

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  8. Scene 7

    Scene 7 · Cyrano's Exultation

    Cyrano rejoices when Roxane asks to meet him, feeling powerful enough to fight an army. His excitement turns heroic when Lignière arrives drunk and threatened by a hundred men. Cyrano leads a torchlit procession to protect his friend, refusing help and turning danger into a grand adventure.

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  9. Act II
  10. Scene 1

    Scene 1 · Ragueneau's Pastry Shop

    Ragueneau tries to balance poetry with cooking, describing sauces, loaves and pastries in elaborate verse. He proudly admires a pastry lyre, but Lise mocks his obsession after he discovers his precious poems have been turned into “bags for buns”.“teaser_question”:

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  11. Scene 2

    Scene 2 · The Children's Pies

    Two children ask Ragueneau to wrap their hot pies, but he becomes distracted by the poems printed on his paper bags. He searches for the right verse, then secretly offers six pies in exchange for the sonnet he wants returned, showing how fiercely he values poetry.

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  12. Scene 3

    Scene 3 · Cyrano Awaits Roxane

    Cyrano nervously waits for Roxane at Ragueneau’s shop. He hides the danger of his recent fight, asks for a pen, and struggles to write a letter confessing his love. As he prepares to “lay my soul open”, his courage and fear collide remarkably closely.

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  13. Scene 4

    Scene 4 · The Poets Arrive

    At Ragueneau’s pastry shop, hungry poets arrive and feast on cakes while he proudly recites a rhyming recipe. Cyrano quietly writes “I love you…” in a letter, warns the Musketeer away from Lise, and sends the poets inside with the remaining pastries.

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  14. Scene 5

    Scene 5 · Roxane Arrives

    Roxane and her masked Duenna arrive to meet Cyrano. Using quick wit, Cyrano distracts the Duenna with pastries wrapped in poems, then sends her outside so he can speak privately with Roxane about her urgent visit and his hopes.

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  15. Scene 6

    Scene 6 · Roxane's Confession

    Roxane visits Cyrano, recalls their childhood, and reveals that she loves Christian de Neuvillette, a handsome new soldier in Cyrano’s company. Worried for Christian’s safety, she asks Cyrano to protect him, and he agrees while hiding his pain.

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  16. Scene 7

    Scene 7 · The Cadets Celebrate Cyrano

    At Ragueneau’s shop, the Gascon cadets and a cheering crowd celebrate Cyrano’s victory. De Guiche offers patronage, but Cyrano refuses to let anyone alter his writing. When De Guiche hints at danger, Cyrano answers proudly: “Or lift me to the stars.”

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  17. Scene 8

    Scene 8 · Cyrano Rejects Patronage

    After the crowd leaves, Le Bret criticises Cyrano for rejecting help. Cyrano insists he would rather “be free, to dream” than depend on patrons, flatter powerful people, or chase fame. He explains why enemies make him stand taller, but Le Bret exposes the love he hides.

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  18. Scene 9

    Scene 9 · Christian Hears of Cyrano

    The cadets tease Christian about Cyrano’s famous nose before Cyrano retells a daring fight. Christian repeatedly interrupts with clever jokes about noses, provoking Cyrano’s anger. The cadets flee, leaving the two men facing one another in tense silence.

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  19. Scene 10

    Scene 10 · Christian and Cyrano Unite

    Cyrano discovers that Christian loves Roxane but cannot speak to her. He offers a daring solution: “your looks, my voice.” Christian accepts their partnership, and Cyrano gives him a heartfelt letter to deliver, calling him a true friend as their unusual plan begins.

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  20. Scene 11

    Scene 11 · The Cadets Discover Their Alliance

    The cadets are stunned to find Cyrano and Christian embracing after their conflict. They tease Cyrano about his nose, but his sharp reply, “It’s pigshit!”, reassures them that their fearless commander is himself again. The scene ends in joyful horseplay.

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  21. Act III
  22. Scene 1

    Scene 1 · Ragueneau's Story

    Ragueneau explains how Cyrano rescued him after Lise left him for a musketeer. Cyrano then serenades Roxane, who praises Christian’s poetry and calls him a genius. Cyrano hides his jealousy behind wit until Roxane learns that De Guiche is approaching.

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  23. Scene 2

    Scene 2 · War Delayed

    De Guiche announces that the Guards will besiege Arras, alarming Roxane because Christian may go. She cleverly persuades him to keep Cyrano and the cadets in Paris, then delays his departure. Her plan succeeds, but she hides it from Cyrano, saying, “Christian stays!”

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  24. Scene 3

    Scene 3 · The Gagged Knocker

    Roxane and the Duenna hurry to Clomire’s gathering, joking about a “gagged” knocker that must not interrupt. Roxane asks Cyrano to make Christian wait and secretly urges him to “improvise on love magnificently”, leaving Cyrano eager for Christian’s arrival.

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  25. Scene 4

    Scene 4 · Christian Rejects Cyrano's Help

    Cyrano prepares speeches to help Christian impress Roxane, but Christian refuses, insisting he can speak for himself after relying on another man’s letters and words. When Roxane appears, Christian panics and begs Cyrano not to leave him alone.

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  26. Scene 5

    Scene 5 · Roxane and Christian Reunite

    After the company leaves, Roxane invites Christian to sit with her and speak of love. He repeats “I love you” but cannot explain his feelings, frustrating her. She dismisses him as foolish, shuts the door, and leaves Cyrano to praise the failed attempt.

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  27. Scene 6

    Scene 6 · Christian Seeks Cyrano's Aid

    Christian panics when Roxane appears at her balcony and begs Cyrano for help, crying “Help me!” Cyrano quickly plans to prompt him from below while the Pages guard the street and signal if anyone approaches. fileciteturn0file2

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  28. Scene 7

    Scene 7 · The Balcony Conversation

    Cyrano secretly takes Christian’s place beneath Roxane’s balcony and speaks from his “true heart”. Roxane is deeply moved and admits her love, but Christian’s request for a kiss interrupts the moment. A monk’s arrival abruptly ends the conversation.

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  29. Scene 8

    Scene 8 · The Monk Arrives

    A monk arrives searching for Madeleine Robin’s house, interrupting Cyrano and Christian at a tense moment. Christian urges Cyrano to “Get rid of him!”, but Cyrano calmly misdirects the visitor, hiding his intentions behind courtesy and quick wit before the monk moves on.

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  30. Scene 9

    Scene 9 · Christian Demands a Kiss

    Christian insists that he must kiss Roxane, but Cyrano hesitates before accepting that “the time has come.” Cyrano recognises the contrast between Christian’s beauty and his own words, revealing his painful role in helping another man win Roxane’s affection.

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  31. Scene 10

    Scene 10 · Cyrano Speaks of the Kiss

    Cyrano poetically explains a kiss as “a confession” and urges Christian to act. Christian climbs to Roxane’s balcony and kisses her, while Cyrano quietly admits the moment also belongs to him because Christian has received the love carried by Cyrano’s words.

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  32. Scene 11

    Scene 11 · The Marriage Letter

    A monk brings De Guiche’s letter, but Roxane cleverly reads it as permission for her secret marriage to Christian. She bribes the monk with a “hundred silver pieces” and sends Cyrano to delay De Guiche while the wedding takes place inside. The plan depends on speed and deception.

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  33. Scene 12

    Scene 12 · Cyrano's Disguise

    To stop De Guiche from reaching Roxane’s house, Cyrano quickly invents a daring plan. He climbs towards the balcony, disguises himself by lowering his hat and wrapping himself in his cloak, then grips a tree branch, ready to launch into a surprising performance.

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  34. Scene 13

    Scene 13 · Cyrano Delays De Guiche

    Cyrano blocks De Guiche from entering the house by pretending to be a traveller who has fallen “from the moon”. His imaginative story keeps De Guiche fascinated until Roxane and Christian complete their secret wedding, leaving De Guiche shocked and furious.

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  35. Scene 14

    Scene 14 · The Secret Marriage

    De Guiche discovers Roxane and Christian’s secret marriage, then orders Christian to join the regiment at once. As drums call the soldiers away, Roxane asks Cyrano to protect Christian, keep him warm, and ensure he writes daily. Cyrano agrees: “That I can promise.”

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  36. Act IV
  37. Scene 1

    Scene 1 · The Siege of Arras

    At the starving siege of Arras, exhausted cadets struggle to sleep as gunfire draws near. Cyrano returns safely after crossing Spanish lines to deliver Christian’s daily letter. Though warned that the danger is real, he immediately disappears to write another.

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  38. Scene 2

    Scene 2 · Dawn at the Siege

    At dawn, the exhausted cadets wake to the sound of approaching guns and complain bitterly of hunger. Carbon calls for Cyrano to cheer them, but their desperate attempts to find food produce only a stickleback and a sparrow.

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  39. Scene 3

    Scene 3 · Cyrano's Morning Letter

    Cyrano jokes with starving cadets, turning hunger into spirited wordplay. He uses a familiar Gascon tune to awaken memories of “home, love, family, dreams”, then a drum-roll restores their fighting spirit. When De Guiche arrives, the men hide their hardship behind games and study.

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  40. Scene 4

    Scene 4 · De Guiche and the Gascons

    De Guiche arrives and reveals that the starving Gascons will face a Spanish attack, using them as a sacrifice to protect the army. Cyrano mocks his pride, then quietly gives Christian a tear-stained letter before Roxane arrives from the enemy side.

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  41. Scene 5

    Scene 5 · Roxane Arrives at the Camp

    Roxane reaches the besieged camp in a mud-covered coach after crossing enemy lines with charm and courage. Although De Guiche orders her to leave, she refuses, declaring, “I’ll stay,” beside Christian and face the danger with the soldiers. The cadets welcome her bold arrival.

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  42. Scene 6

    Scene 6 · Hidden Feast

    Roxane refuses to leave the starving cadets, declaring, “She’s staying.” She transforms her carriage into a secret feast, lifting the soldiers’ spirits with food, laughter and bold generosity. As the meal is quickly hidden, De Guiche arrives and senses something unusual.

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  43. Scene 7

    Scene 7 · Letters Revealed

    De Guiche joins the cadets as they joke, drink and prepare for battle, then chooses to stay beside Roxane. After the company marches off, Christian learns Cyrano has written her “every day” and sometimes twice, realising how deeply Cyrano has risked himself for their love.

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  44. Scene 8

    Scene 8 · Roxane Reveals the Letters

    Roxane reaches the camp and tells Christian that his letters drew her through danger. She declares that she now loves him for his “soul alone,” not his appearance. Christian is distressed by this change and sends her to comfort the cadets before battle.

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  45. Scene 9

    Scene 9 · Christian Learns the Truth

    Christian realises Roxane loves Cyrano’s “words” and “soul”, not merely his appearance. He urges Cyrano to reveal the truth, arguing that Roxane should love him for who he is. Then he leaves, forcing Cyrano to face Roxane alone.

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  46. Scene 10

    Scene 10 · Truth Delayed

    Cyrano asks whether Roxane would love Christian even if he were “ugly”. Before he can reveal the truth, Christian is brought back mortally wounded. Roxane grieves over his letter, while Cyrano hides his identity and leads the remaining cadets into battle.

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  47. Act V
  48. Scene 1

    Scene 1 · The Convent

    At the convent, the nuns jokingly accuse one another of vanity and greed while remembering how Cyrano entertains them. Mother Margaret reveals that he is “very poor” and refuses help, then sends them inside when Roxane arrives with the elderly Duc de Grammont.

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  49. Scene 2

    Scene 2 · Roxane and De Guiche

    Roxane explains why she remains at the convent, devoted to Christian’s memory. De Guiche admits that success has brought regret, then warns that Cyrano has enemies. Le Bret reveals Cyrano’s poverty and illness before Ragueneau arrives with troubling news.

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  50. Scene 3

    Scene 3 · News of Cyrano's Attack

    Ragueneau tells Le Bret that Cyrano has been struck by a log of wood and left unconscious, with his head bandaged and his life in danger. They hurry to help him, while Roxane notices their secrecy and dismisses it as “some story” from Ragueneau.

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  51. Scene 4

    Scene 4 · Roxane Awaits Cyrano

    On a “perfect autumn day,” Roxane prepares for Cyrano’s usual visit, arranging his chair and settling to her sewing. When the clock strikes and he does not appear, she grows uneasy, explaining his lateness while noticing a dead leaf and searching for her tools. A nun then announces him.

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  52. Scene 5

    Scene 5 · Cyrano's Last Visit

    Cyrano visits Roxane at the convent, hiding his serious condition behind jokes. When he reads Christian’s letter aloud, Roxane recognises his voice and realises that he wrote the letters and secretly loved her for fourteen years.

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  53. Scene 6

    Scene 6 · Cyrano's Panache

    Badly injured, Cyrano tells Roxane that he is dying and reflects on a life spent “hidden among the shadows”, giving his words to others. As the moon seems to call him, he faces death with courage, rejecting compromise and claiming one final possession: his “panache”.

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