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Cyrano de Bergerac
- Language
- EN
- Format
- EPUB
- Size
- 167 KB
Description
Cyrano de Bergerac is a verse drama that centres on the titular character, a talented swordsman and poet living in 17th-century France. Known for his wit and remarkable poetic skill, Cyrano is also burdened by an exceptionally large nose, which causes him to doubt his worthiness of love. His unrequited affection for his cousin Roxane, coupled with his insecurities, shapes much of the play’s emotional landscape. When Roxane falls in love with Christian, a handsome but inarticulate soldier, Cyrano assists him by composing eloquent love letters, effectively sacrificing his own chance at happiness. The play examines themes of honour, love, identity, and self-perception, within the context of French literature of the late 19th century. Originally written as a play in 1897 by Edmond Rostand, it adapts romantic and heroic conventions into a verse drama that explores personal and social masks.
The work is set against the backdrop of classical France, combining historic and literary elements typical of late 19th-century theatrical production. It presents a mixture of comedic and tragic tones, illustrating Cyrano’s internal struggles and acts of selfless affection. Rostand’s play remains notable for its poetic dialogue, and its depiction of a character who embodies both wit and vulnerability within a romanticised historical setting.
The work is set against the backdrop of classical France, combining historic and literary elements typical of late 19th-century theatrical production. It presents a mixture of comedic and tragic tones, illustrating Cyrano’s internal struggles and acts of selfless affection. Rostand’s play remains notable for its poetic dialogue, and its depiction of a character who embodies both wit and vulnerability within a romanticised historical setting.
From the opening pages
Translated from the French by Gladys Thomas and Mary F. Guillemard CONTENTS Dramatis personae Dramatis personae CYRANO DE BERGERAC CHRISTIAN DE NEUVILLETTE COUNT DE GUICHE RAGUENEAU LE BRET CARBON DE CASTEL-JALOUX THE CADETS LIGNIÈRE DE VALVERT A MARQUIS SECOND MARQUIS THIRD MARQUIS MONTFLEURY BELLEROSE JODELET CUIGY BRISSAILLE THE DOORKEEPER A LACKEY A SECOND LACKEY A BORE A MUSKETEER ANOTHER A SPANISH OFFICER A PORTER A BURGHER HIS SON A PICKPOCKET A SPECTATOR A GUARDSMAN BERTRAND THE FIFER A MONK TWO MUSICIANS THE POETS THE PASTRY COOKS ROXANE SISTER MARTHA LISE THE BUFFET-GIRL MOTHER MARGUERITE THE DUENNA SISTER CLAIRE AN ACTRESS THE PAGES THE SHOP-GIRL The crowd, troopers, burghers (male and female), marquises, musketeers, pickpockets, pastry-cooks, poets, Gascons cadets, actors (male and female), violinists, pages, children, soldiers, Spaniards, spectators (male and female), precieuses, nuns, etc. A Representation at the Hotel de Bourgogne. The hall of the Hotel de Bourgogne, in 1640. A sort of tennis-court arranged and decorated for a theatrical performance. The hall is oblong and seen obliquely, so that one of its sides forms the back of the right foreground, and meeting the left background makes an angle with the stage, which is partly visible. On both sides of the stage are benches. The curtain is composed of two tapestries which can be drawn aside. Above a harlequin’s mantle are the royal arms. There are broad steps from the stage to the hall; on either side of these steps are the places for the violinists. Footlights. Two rows, one over the other, of side galleries: the highest divided into boxes. No seats in the pit of the hall, which is the real stage of the theater; at the back of the pit, i.e., on the right foreground, some benches forming steps, and underneath, a staircase which leads to the upper seats. An improvised buffet ornamented with little lusters, vases, glasses, plates of tarts, cakes, bottles, etc. The entrance to the theater is in the center of the background, under the gallery of the boxes. A large door, half open to let in the spectators. On the panels of this door, in different corners, and over the buffet, red placards bearing the words, ‘La Clorise.’ At the rising of the curtain the hall is in semi-darkness, and still empty. The lusters are lowered in the middle of the pit ready to be lighted. The public, arriving by degrees. Troopers, burghers,…
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