Search for Self
Cyrano de Bergerac delves into themes such as fear, beauty, loyalty, friendship, love, and individuality. As Cyrano sets out on a quest to find his true self, he wrestles with the conflict between his genuine identity and his dreams. Along this journey, he builds friendships and makes enemies. He challenges those around him while also entertaining them. Ultimately, Cyrano must come to believe that Roxane can genuinely love him and that he is worthy of her affection before he can make peace with his adversaries. Unfortunately, this understanding comes too late, and he dies just as Roxane declares her love for him.
Fear
Cyrano is reluctant to admit his feelings for Roxane, his cousin, because he's terrified of being rejected and mocked. He believes that a woman as stunning as Roxane could never fall for someone who isn't conventionally handsome. This insecurity pushes him to master swordsmanship, poetry, and clever repartee. He chases the actor Montfleury off the stage and duels with the Vicomte de Valvert, wielding both his sword and his words. Cyrano fights not only his opponents but also his own fear of rejection.
Beauty
Cyrano de Bergerac often explores the themes of beauty and ugliness. Cyrano views himself as too unattractive to be loved by the beautiful Roxane or any woman at all. Yet, he underestimates the profound beauty found in his intellect and heart, a beauty capable of crafting eloquent poetry and captivating Roxane with his words. Ironically, it is Cyrano's own words that express his inner conflict:
This nose precedes me everywhere/A quarter of an hour in front, to say, 'Beware/Don't love Cyrano' to even the ugliest/And now Cyrano has to love the best, /The brightest, bravest, wittiest, the most/Beautiful!"
Nevertheless, Cyrano does not fully appreciate the source of his true beauty—his heart and mind. With this inner beauty, he creates moving poetry, enthralls Roxane with his words, and uplifts the spirits of starving, disheartened soldiers.
The play highlights several contrasts between beauty and its absence. Christian's handsome appearance contrasts sharply with his limited intellect, whereas Cyrano's situation is the reverse. It is only when Roxane writes to Christian/Cyrano during the siege of Arras that both men realize words mean more to her than looks: "Your beauty is a barrier to you/If you were ugly..., /... I know I should/Be able to love you more." This indicates that Cyrano's beauty is internal and more profound than Christian's. Roxane falls for the words—Cyrano's words—not Christian's physical attractiveness. The powerful message is that true beauty arises from within, from the soul, rather than the exterior. The play's tragedy is Cyrano's delayed realization of this truth.
Loyalty
Even though Cyrano knows that it was his words that won Roxane's heart, he remains loyal to his deceased friend Christian after Christian's death at the siege of Arras. Cyrano chooses not to pursue a romantic relationship with Roxane. Christian decides to face death in battle rather than live on after realizing that it is Cyrano’s spirit—his words and emotions—that Roxane truly loves. Fearing rejection, Cyrano keeps this truth hidden for fifteen years. To preserve Roxane's memories of Christian, Cyrano honors his friend's legacy by keeping the secret. Only when he is on the brink of death does he feel able to reveal to Roxane that it was he who penned the letters and wooed her from beneath the balcony. Roxane’s expression of love is something Cyrano yearned for more than anything, and he dies knowing it was truly his heart and soul she cherished.
Le Bret, Ragueneau, and Roxane are all profoundly devoted to...
(This entire section contains 224 words.)
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Cyrano. Despite the risks they sometimes face because of the poet-hero's actions, they remain loyal and supportive. Le Bret and Ragueneau stay by his side until the end, trying to shield him from his enemies, though their efforts come too late. This unwavering loyalty, rooted in deep friendship, is a central theme in Rostand's work. Those who form friendships with Cyrano stand by him unfailingly.
Difference
Cyrano's unique appearance is the root of his insecurities and anxieties. His conviction that Roxane could never love him leads to his partnership and camaraderie with Christian, while also igniting his daring and cleverness. Anyone who makes a remark about his unusually large nose, like the unfortunate citizen in the theater during Act I, risks facing his anger. Christian avoids such an attack in the pastry shop solely because of Roxane’s affection. Those who look past his physical differences—like Ligniere, Ragueneau, Le Bret, and eventually Christian and Roxane—come to realize that Cyrano's true beauty is within him. His physical appearance does not impact his spirit. Even Comte de Guiche grows to admire the "true Cyrano" by the conclusion: "He lives his life as he wishes, he’s one of those rare beings who choose to be free... Nevertheless, I’d be proud to shake his hand.''
Freedom
In the end, Cyrano's quest for freedom becomes his undoing. He refuses the Foodseller’s offering at the theater (Act I), rejects de Guiche’s proposal of Richelieu’s patronage at the pastry shop (Act II), and turns away the help of the Sisters at the convent (Act III). His relentless pursuit of independence and self-reliance ultimately leads to his downfall. Believing he is unlovable, Cyrano strives to rely on no one. This intense craving for freedom drives him to express himself in ways that earn him many enemies; ultimately, he is killed because of his words—the very words that, ironically, reveal his inner beauty.
Rostand's brilliance shines in creating a character full of boldness, wit, and cleverness, yet too scared to confess his love to the one he adores. His distinctiveness fuels his fear but also drives his pursuit of freedom and independence. His love and friendship inspire his loyalty, yet he is too frightened to reveal his feelings. This complex character leads to a simple scenario: a love triangle that unfolds over fifteen years. Cyrano de Bergerac explores numerous themes: fear of rejection, loyalty, love, friendship, and the quest for freedom and independence. Through Cyrano, all these themes come alive. Yet, in the end, when Cyrano faces his destiny, the prevailing sentiment is one of vindication: Cyrano triumphed, and for a brief moment, he knew he was loved.
