Discussion Topic
Cyrano's Dislike for Montfleury: Values and Motivations
Summary:
In Cyrano de Bergerac, Cyrano dislikes Montfleury for two primary reasons. Publicly, Cyrano criticizes Montfleury for being a poor actor, which offends Cyrano's high regard for the arts. Privately, Cyrano is angered by Montfleury's advances toward Roxane, whom Cyrano loves. This reveals Cyrano's values of artistic integrity and his protective love for Roxane. Despite his insecurities, particularly about his appearance, Cyrano prioritizes these values, even at personal cost.
In "Cyrano de Bergerac," why does Cyrano hate Montfleury?
When it comes to this question, the first thing to remember about Cyrano is that he is not comfortable in his own skin. Though he possesses a lot of wonderful qualities, including great humor, artistic talent, and quick cognition, he has negative thoughts that he keeps to himself. Mainly, he is insecure about his large nose. He sees his strange appearance as an obstacle for him to attain a loving partner.
Let’s now contrast Cyrano to Montfleury. The overweight Montfleury is not much better in the looks department. In addition, Cyrano detests his a terrible acting skills. It is true that Cyrano's affection for Roxane made him want to keep Roxane away from Montfleury. However, his feelings are not entirely selfish. Roxane is a truly outstanding woman, in every way, so Cyrano does not believe that he or Montfleury are truly worthy of her affection. On the other hand, Cyrano...
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does assist Baron Christian de Neuvillette in his pursuit of Roxane because Christian is an upright individual. He does not have Cyrano’s intellect, but he is noble and earns Cyrano’s respect. The events of the play prove that Cyrano is capable of putting his feelings aside to help the people he loves.
There are two reasons for Cyrano's hatred of Montfleury.
The reason Cyrano states is that he hates Montfleury because he is a terrible actor. He chases him off the stage after ridiculing him for being fat and banishes him from the stage for a month.
The true reason that Cyrano hates him is one he keeps from others. The reason is that Cyrano is in love with Roxanne. Montfleury made a pass at her and this infuriates Cyrano. Cyrano is insanely jealous and want s to keep him away from Roxanne.
How do Cyrano's reasons for disliking Montfleury reveal his values or moral standards?
In Rostand's Cyrano de Bergerac, Cyrano is not a character who hides what he believes or how he feels except in one area of his life--Roxane, of course. Aside from his love for her, Cyrano is fairly straightforward about what he sees as right and wrong, good and bad. The incident with Montfleury is a great example of that. Cyrano gives two reasons for his disgust.
Montfleury is a bad actor and an insult to good theatre. He is unpleasantly corpulent and overacts when he is on stage. This is the first reason which he cites for all to hear. The second reason he does not share until he is alone with his friend Le Bret after Montfleury has run off and the theatre has been cleared. Cyrano says he is displeased with Montfleury because
while he stammers through his little piece,
[he] makes sheep’s eyes with his frog’s eyes, if you please!
I hate him since he allowed himself one night
to raise his eyes to her ...
Though Le Bret does not know and Cyrano does not say, the woman Montfleury dared to be flirtatious with is Roxane. This offensive act is part of what gets Montfleury booted from the stage.
Cyrano is willing to spend his last coin, which he literally does, to defend two things he loves and values: the arts (theatre) and Roxane.