Cyrano de Bergerac

Use this activity to engage all types of learners, while requiring that they refer to and incorporate details from the text over the course of the activity.

“Character Scrapbook: A Walk in ____’s Shoes”

In this activity, students will choose a main character from the play Cyrano de Bergerac; create detailed, first-person diary entries including specific quotes from the play; and incorporate the main themes.

Cyrano excels at using poetic language to convey his feelings. Think about other ways in which he, Roxane, or Christian might convey their part of the story. Select one of the three main characters from the play Cyrano de Bergerac. Then, demonstrate your understanding of the novel’s main plot points, characters, and themes by contributing entries and designing pages of that character’s scrapbook.

Requirements:

• Write a minimum of five 1-page entries in first-person point of view.
• Detail key plot points utilizing first-person language.
• Include one important quote from each act and demonstrate your understanding through written analysis.
• Refer to each theme at least once throughout the entirety of the scrapbook.
• Include images, drawings, and/or artifacts that match the character and their written journal entries.

After the scrapbook is complete, share one entry with the class and explain how it integrates your chosen theme. In your response journal or class notes, react to a peer’s scrapbook pages for the same character you chose. What attributes are emphasized in their pages? How do your character’s pages compare?

Teaching Suggestion: Prior to students choosing their characters, it may help as a class to brainstorm possible quotes and review main plot points for Cyrano, Roxanne, and Christian. Students may do a gallery walk or break into small groups to identify and share vital plot points and dialogue. Then, as a class, you can bring all the information together as a shared resource.

Differentiation Suggestion: For advanced learners or those who would benefit from performance skills practice, consider asking students to act out their chosen entry for the class. They can design blocking for their entry (as though it is a monologue) and match the scene and character to the movement as a way to deepen their understanding of theatrical performance.

Paired Text Extension: Sonnet 18 by William Shakespeare

Cyrano communicates with Roxane primarily through letters of love throughout the duration of the play. Read this love poem by William Shakespeare, “Sonnet 18.” Referring to Cyrano’s poems, create a brief poem of Unrequited Love or Beauty and The Mind in the style of “Sonnet 18.”

• One line must be from one of Cyrano’s poems and/or love letters.
• The poem must be a minimum of 14 lines.
• The theme of your poem and your chosen quote should demonstrate your understanding of the themes Unrequited Love or The Nature of Beauty and The Mind.

Teaching Suggestion: Prior to having students write their poem, read “Sonnet 18” as a class. It may also help to show this modern 3-minute musical interpretation of the poem with visuals to provide another way to understand the text and how the chosen words coincide with the themes and topics.

Use these essay questions as writing and critical thinking exercises for all levels of writers, and to build their literary analysis skills by requiring textual references throughout the essay.

Differentiation Suggestion: For English learners or struggling writers, strategies that work well include graphic organizers, sentence frames or starters, group work, or oral responses.

Scaffolded Essay Questions

Student Prompt: Write a short (1-3 paragraph) response using one of the bulleted outlines below. Cite details from the text over the course of your response that serve as examples and support.

1. Throughout the play, Cyrano is conflicted about his love for Roxane and experiences personal insecurities about his appearance.

• To what extent do Cyrano’s internal conflicts impact his decision-making? (topic sentence)
• Identify a minimum of 3 instances in which Cyrano struggles in coming to terms with his insecurities and his love for Roxane. Explain each plot point and analyze the consequent decisions Cyrano makes. Demonstrate how each example supports the idea you proposed in your topic sentence.
• In your concluding sentence or sentences, briefly speculate on the potential differences in the play had Cyrano’s internal conflicts not contributed to his decision-making.

2. Throughout the play, there is tension between artistic integrity versus turning to commercialization.

• What overall message does the playwright convey regarding these conflicting ideas? (topic sentence)
• Compare two characters in the play whose actions or beliefs connect to the theme Artistry Versus Commercialization. Explain and analyze at least one key plot point per chosen character. How does each plot point help to develop the theme? How does each support the message you detailed in your topic sentence?
• In your concluding sentence(s), evaluate Rostand’s narrative choices in demonstrating this conflict and briefly comment on their effectiveness in conveying his message.

3. Cyrano de Bergerac utilizes multiple symbols to imply notions of love, beauty, and pride.

• What seems to be the playwright’s primary purpose in using symbolism? (topic sentence)
• Identify a minimum of three symbols consistently employed by Rostand. Analyze and discuss each symbol’s effect on the narrative and the reader’s perceptions of the characters.
• In your concluding statement(s), synthesize the three symbols into an overarching statement and evaluate their overall impact on the narrative.

Full Essay Assignments

Student Prompt: Write a structured and well-developed essay. Include a thesis statement, at least three main points supported by text details, and a conclusion.

1. Consider Cyrano’s “nose monologue” in Act 1 in which he is involved in a battle of wits against Valvert. Analyze this monologue and examine a minimum of three specific statements he makes about his appearance. For each statement, cite your quotation with the line number. Explain the various ways the reader may interpret his meaning for each statement. Elaborate on the justification behind his choice of words and examine how it correlates with the theme The Nature of Beauty and The Mind.

2. Compare Cyrano de Bergerac and Christian de Neuvillette. Explore their individual strengths, weaknesses, and personal conflicts and discuss how those aspects change (or do not) throughout the play. Then, elucidate the ways in which these characters are foils to each other, citing evidence from the play. Finally, evaluate how both characters either support or subvert the themes provided in the narrative.

Multiple Choice and Long Answer Questions create ideal opportunities for whole-text review, exams, or summative assessments.

Multiple Choice

1. “Bloom of the peach— / Blush of the strawberry—” (Act 1) How does this description of Roxane match the play’s themes?

A) It demonstrates the commercialization of beauty.

B) It demonstrates the beauty she holds in the minds of men.

C) It demonstrates the symbolic use of food for unrequited love.

D) It demonstrates how nature and beauty are symbiotic.

2. How are allusions used throughout the play?

A) They are primarily used through Greek and Roman mythology and culture.

B) They are primarily used to demonstrate the theme Artistry Versus Commercialization.

C) They focus on symbols such as the “moon” to imply romantic tones.

D) They focus on providing a metaphor for Cyrano’s various insecurities.

3. Which of the following quotes utilizing the food motif represents the theme Unrequited Love?

A) “[He] had not eaten / Anything, for two days.” (Act 5)

B) “Lay down the lute—the oven calls for thee!” (Act 2)

C) “My coronet for half a pound of cheese!” (Act 4)

D) “[M]y eyes drink the sight of you like wine.” (Act 5)

4. Which of the following traits is a main focus of Cyrano’s insecurities?

A) His inability to speak fluently

B) His mediocrity in the written word

C) His nose as a physical attribute

D) His teeth in regard to health

5. “I am a fool! / Stupid enough to hang myself” (Act 3). Why is Christian often referred to as “the fool?”

A) He is unable to obtain his love for Roxane.

B) He is seemingly shallow and inarticulate.

C) He lacks intellect and schooling.

D) His only strength is in swordsmanship.

6. Cyrano believes in making art for art’s sake. Which of Cyrano’s actions best relates to this theme of Artistry Versus Commercialization?

A) He is upset his friend’s wife uses poems to wrap pastries.

B) He allows Montfleury to perform the play La Clorise.

C) He writes the letters to Roxane for Christian.

D) He rejects patronage from Guiche.

7. Why does Roxane’s love for Christian temporarily turn to disappointment and disgust?

A) Christian tells her he is moving to the army’s front.

B) Christian refuses to speak to Roxane, claiming love for another.

C) Christian attempts to use his own words to show his love to her.

D) Christian admits that Cyrano had been writing his letters to her.

8. Why does Christian want Cyrano to declare his love to Roxane?

A) Roxane has admitted that she would love Christian even if he were “ugly,” signifying her unknown love for Cyrano.

B) Christian is about to die on the battlefield and wants Roxane to know the truth.

C) Roxane joins the military troupe, claiming she would die should Christian perish.

D) Christian is overcome with guilt over his deception.

9. How does Cyrano’s perception of the theme Artistry Versus Commercialization affect him by the end of his life?

A) Cyrano comes to terms with writing as financial stability, living a modest life by the end.

B) Cyrano writes for freedom of speech instead of money, becoming impoverished and hated.

C) Cyrano’s fame overtakes him, causing him to reject his initial beliefs about artistic merit.

D) Cyrano’s written ideology is shared with those who agree with him, creating a following.

10. Which of the following actions best demonstrates Roxane’s feelings toward Christian’s death?

A) She moves to a convent and becomes isolated.

B) She visits Cyrano on his deathbed and proclaims her love to him.

C) She marries Guiche, having been impacted by grief.

D) She kills herself in order to never live without him.

11. What does Cyrano’s symbol of the “white plume” at the end of Act 5 best represent?

A) Cyrano’s desire to lead

B) Cyrano’s grief for his Unrequited Love

C) Cyrano’s belief in the afterlife

D) Cyrano’s view of his life as a writer

12. The line “I am too proud to be a parasite” (Act 2) best represents which of the following themes?

A) Unrequited Love

B) Artistry Versus Commercialization

C) The Nature of Beauty and The Mind

D) Staying True to One’s Beliefs

13. Ragueneau alludes to both Mars, the god of war, and Apollo, his patron of poets, along with other Greek mythologies to what end?

A) To best demonstrate the love he has for his wife

B) To best demonstrate his views on war

C) To best demonstrate the disloyal actions of his wife

D) To best demonstrate his religious beliefs

14. Why does Christian rely on Cyrano to express his desire for Roxane?

A) Christian does not love Roxane and needs Cyrano’s help in the deception.

B) Christian knows very little about Roxane while Cyrano has a stronger understanding.

C) Cyrano purely enjoys the art of expression and helping Christian.

D) Cyrano is able to express love in a way Christian cannot.

15. “Hark—the horn / of Roland calls to summon Charlemagne!” (Act 1). What is meant to be the interpretation of this line?

A) It is a call to the start of war against the Spanish.

B) It is an insult against Cyrano’s large nose.

C) It is an allusion to the monarchy of the time.

D) It is an allegory for pride.

Long Answer

Compose a response of 2-3 sentences, incorporating text details to support your response.

1. How does Cyrano’s internal conflict between his physical appearance and his poetic soul contribute to the central ideas of identity and self-acceptance in the play?

2. How does Cyrano’s role in Christian and Roxane’s deceptive relationship connect back to the themes of The Nature of Beauty and The Mind, Unrequited Love, and Artistry Versus Commercialization?