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In the play Cyrano de Bergerac, Edmond Rostand emphasizes the theme that inner beauty is more significant in romance than outer beauty. Rostand conveys this theme through the character of Roxane. Before the battle against the Spaniards, Roxane says to Christian, “You do not altogether know me… Dear, There is more of me than there was - with this, I can love more of you - more of what makes you your own self - Truly!... If you were less lovable - … Less charming - ugly even - I should love you still” (188). The character of Roxane places higher significance on inner beauty compared to outer beauty than in the past, as implied when she says that there is more of her than there was. Roxane’s focus on inner beauty is further revealed when
she says that she would love Christian even if he were physically unattractive, which supports the theme because it shows through what Roxane says that she places more significance on inner beauty than outer looks. Also, Roxane is indirectly characterized as believing that inner beauty is more important in making up a person than outer appearance, and is more important in a love affair, when she states that she can now love more of what makes Christian his own self. Therefore, the character of Roxane in Cyrano de Bergerac supports the theme that outer beauty is not as critical in an amorous relationship as inner beauty, by demonstrating through her words that she can love an outwardly ugly person if they have a beautiful inner spirit.
Superficial passion revolves around outward beauty, but true love is always found in the heart. In Cyrano de Bergerac, Edmond Rostand conveys this truth beautifully. This play follows Cyrano in his quest for love from Roxanne, believing she could not love him due to his oversized nose. Little do they know that she does not truly love the handsome Christian, but rather Cyrano, the master of words.
“Everything has beauty, but not everyone sees it.” (Confucius) Cyrano’s insecurity of his nose effects his relationship with Roxane. In Edmond Rostand’s play Cyrano De Bergerac, Cyrano’s insecure and eloquent self-perception results in Cyrano’s companionship & loving in his relationship with both Christian & Roxane. Cyrano’s level of eloquence helps him combat the insults of his nose. Cyrano is a poetic, witty, & eloquent man who is insecure & has trouble showing his true feelings for Roxane .Cyrano and Christian work together to win Roxane’s heart, and at the end Cyrano allows love to kill him, even after Roxane discovers & reciprocates his feelings.
Appeal to emotions, individualism, and intellectual achievement were three important elements of Romanticism. This essay will explore the degree to which Cyrano de Bergerac exemplifies these elements of Romanticism.
In the beginning of the play all aspects of society come together to the theater which involves the poor and the richest people. There’s were Roxane first saw Christian and she was immediately attracted to his looks, she’s just like society is quick to judge looks over personality, completely under minding Cyrano. Roxane tells Cyrano about Christian beauty in Act two Scene five Roxane said “His face shines with wit n intelligence, He’s proud, noble, young, fearless, and handsome.” This shows that she’s completely blinded by his looks! Society will describe Christian just like Roxane but will have different aspects of him. She’s saying that Christian is a bright person judging him by the way he looks. Roxane starts to look for Christian by letting Cyrano know that he is part of his regiment. In Act two Scene five Roxane said “ And it s happens, cousin, that he’s a member of your regiment.” Roxane had just seen Christian once and she already knew who he was and what he did....
Control of ones tongue, or wit, and the ability to use it well is an incredibly necessary trait of an honorable individual. The cowardice of Count de Guiche demonstrates that the lack of bravery, on or off the battlefield, leaves a man without honor or respect. And finally, unconditional and extravagant love must be practiced by those men of honor, as shown by Cyrano’s love of Roxane. True honor cannot be won, nor can be bought, honor is something that can only be given by those who see these traits within a
In The play Cyrano de Bergerac, the main character, Cyrano, is a noble idealist who fights against the harsh reality of ordinary life, and creates his own world. On the outside he is a strong man with a hard shell, but inside he is a melancholy poet yearning for love. He feels that the world bases love too much on appearance. He believes that no one will ever love him because of his grotesquely long nose. For this reason Cyrano cuts himself off of true reality and creates a world where love exists without appearance.
This is emphasized when Roxanne realizes that Cyrano was the one who had written these letters after many years. He denies that it was him because he does not want to tarnish her memory of Christian. She recognizes Cyrano’s voice and declares how it was him she loved all this time. His fate, sorrowfully, is that they would have had the opportunity for a long lasting love if she had accepted his appearance and seen the poet underneath. His long nose stands
Cyrano has created a mental stage where women are kept on the outside and men are free to go within. Because he lacks confidence around women, he has no choice but to express his feelings by writing letters and does not have any kind of physical contact with women. When Cyrano is complaining to Le bret that he can never have Roxane he says, “With this nose of mine that marches on… Whom should i love? Why-of course-it must be the most beautiful woman in the world”(48). If a man does not have any confidence in himself, then any attemp...
One of Cyrano’s most significant traits as a friend was his loyalty. He would always look out for friends in their time of need, which makes the audience feel sympathetic towards him. Because Cyrano is such a loyal friend, the audience feels angry with Roxane for manipulating him, and taking advantage of his loyalty. An example of Cyrano’s loyalty was when Ragueneau’s wife was having an affair with a musketeer, Cyrano confronted her, “Make sure you do./I like your husband, and I don’t intend/To see him made a fool of./Is that clear?”(II.iv.115-118). He stood up for his dear friend, and did not want him be made a joke of. I believe this is important because it shows that he is not only loyal to his friend, but also caring and has strong moral principles. What Lise was doing was wrong, and the author put this part in to emphasize the reader’s sympathy for Cyrano. Later when Ragueneau’s wife left him, Cyrano did not hesitate to support Ragueneau by talking him out of killing himself and providing him with a proper job. Furthermore, as everyone must be aware of, Cyrano was in love with Roxane. But because he was such a trustworthy friend, he agreed to protect Christian...
The theme of this play is inner beauty and outer beauty. In the beginning of Cyrano de Bergerac, it seems like the theme focuses heavily on outer beauty. As you continue to read on, the play actually puts more emphasis in inner beauty. Symbolism is very important in this play. The letters written by Cyrano symbolizes Cyrano’s inner beauty because what you write comes from your soul which is shaped by your personality. Cyrano’s nose symbolizes his ugliness and his insecurity. Because Cyrano knows Roxane would never consider him because of his nose, he decides to help Christian since Cyrano believes he can help Christian win Roxane’s heart. “
Given that Roxane only really knows her "lover" through his letters, she builds an image of him in her mind that corresponds with the level of passion incorporated in to the letters. The image she has envisioned is of a young, healthy, good-looking, strong man whom she finds in Christian.
As in his portrayal of Desdemona, here too Shakespeare has presented a woman of beauty and culture. Her demeanor is gentle and refined though not lacking in strength or determination. Her emotions are deep, pure, loyal and e...
In King Lear William Shakespeare gives king Lear a very kind personality and a very caring father towards his daughters. King Lear possesses traits that make him a soft person one that is very, calm and gentle hearted. His softness comes out in the beginning when he exclaims he tells his daughters she who loves him the most will get all the land. Lear falls victim to the lies of Reagan and Goneril while he casts out Cordila his only daughter that did not sweet talk him and loves him truly. You learn that his daughters Goneril and Reagan want to betray him so they get the kingdom to themselves. The two evil sisters plot to kill Lear seeing that he is blinded by his love for them and his willingness to help them in times of need. The author betrays lear as king but the reader knows the plot from the beginning on to the end on what his daughters plans are for their father and how it leads into the later parts of the story.
Othello is one of the typical Shakespearean plays in that it deals with the tragic hero. Othello is convinced that his wife, Desdemona, is cheating on him with Cassio. Beginning with the aperture lines of the play, Othello remains at a distance from much of the action that concerns and affects him. Roderigo and Iago refer equivocally to a “he” or “him” for much of the first scene. When they commence to designate whom they are verbalizing about, especially once they stand beneath Brabanzio’s window, they do so with racial epithets, not designations. These include “the Moor” , “the thick-lips” , “an old ebony ram”, and “a Barbary horse” (Cite). Although Othello appears at the commencement of the second scene, we do not hear him called by his name until well into Act I, scene 3. Later, Othello’s will be the last of the three ships to arrive at Cyprus in Act II, scene 1; Othello will stand apart while Cassio and Iago suppositious discuss Desdemona in Act IV, scene 1; Othello will postulate that Cassio is dead without being present when the fight takes place in Act V, scene 1. Othello’s status as an outsider may be the reason he is such easy prey for Iago.
In every great play, there must be a villain to assist in forming the base of the plot. Without a villain, no story or play will be successful or interesting. Shakespeare is well known for his use of different types of villains in his plays. “What constitutes a villain? -- You could probably write a whole thesis on that one. I'm going to adopt a rather loose working definition - villains are people who do bad stuff.” (Dooley) Dooley’s description of villains is a very accurate summary of the description of villains. They are, essentially, people who do things that are seen as morally wrong by readers. Many of the villains in Shakespeare’s plays come across as almost sociopathic. In Shakespeare’s plays Othello, Midsummer Night’s Dream, and Hamlet, the villains are Iago, Oberon, and Claudius, respectively.