Cyrano Act 1 - Active Reading
Act I presents a number of events that help define Cyrano’s character and
highlight his system of value. Use the chart below to make notes on what the different
events tell us about Cyrano.
Act I: A Performance at the Hotel de Bourgogne
The year is 1640 and a young, ardent, and extremely attractive Frenchman, Christian de Neuvillette is attending a performance of the play La Clorise. The lively audience is full of pages, thieves, refreshment girls, soldiers and nobles. Among the crowd is Roxanne, a beautiful society woman. Christian is madly in love with Roxanne but every time he tries to talk to her he bungles his words and feels like a fool.
As Montfleury, the leading actor in La Clorise, steps out on to the stage, he is mercilessly heckled by Cyrano de Bergerac. Cyrano attacks him because Montfluery has been bothering Roxane. Cyrano is a Gascon known for his aggressive nature, wit, arrogance and extremely large nose. However, if anyone ever comments upon this distinguishing feature Cyrano is quick to disgrace them with either his words or his sword. After Montfleury leaves the stage, the Viscount de Valvert makes the fatal mistake of insulting
Cyrano and challenging him to a duel by striking Cyrano's nose with his glove. Cyrano quickly dispatches the Viscount while composing and reciting a ballad.
The audience is enthralled with this vibrant man, but what they don't know is that Cyrano is also secretly in love with Roxane. Just as Christian is insecure about his own lack of charm, Cyrano is mortified by his own lack of beauty.
Act I: A Performance at the Hotel de Bourgogne
The year is 1640 and a young, ardent, and extremely attractive Frenchman, Christian de Neuvillette is attending a performance of the play La Clorise. The lively audience is full of pages, thieves, refreshment girls, soldiers and nobles. Among the crowd is Roxanne, a beautiful society woman. Christian is madly in love with Roxanne but every time he tries to talk to her he bungles his words and feels like a fool.
As Montfleury, the leading actor in La Clorise, steps out on to the stage, he is mercilessly heckled by Cyrano de Bergerac. Cyrano attacks him because Montfluery has been bothering Roxane. Cyrano is a Gascon known for his aggressive nature, wit, arrogance and extremely large nose. However, if anyone ever comments upon this distinguishing feature Cyrano is quick to disgrace them with either his words or his sword. After Montfleury leaves the stage, the Viscount de Valvert makes the fatal mistake of insulting
Cyrano and challenging him to a duel by striking Cyrano's nose with his glove. Cyrano quickly dispatches the Viscount while composing and reciting a ballad.
The audience is enthralled with this vibrant man, but what they don't know is that Cyrano is also secretly in love with Roxane. Just as Christian is insecure about his own lack of charm, Cyrano is mortified by his own lack of beauty.
Event
|
What it tells us
|
He stands on his chair and forces
Montfleury from the stage. |
He is brave, aggressive, and follows
through on his threat to remove the actor. |
He challenges members of the audience
to find him. | |
He criticizes Montfleury acting style.
| |
He throws the bag of money on stage.
| |
He bullies the citizen who stares at
his nose. | |
He “teaches” the Viscount how to properly
insult his nose | |
He composes a ballad while defeating
the Viscount. | |
He takes very little food from the
fruit cellar. | |
He becomes moody and subdued
when a crowd has left. | |
He refuses to take Le Bret’s advice
about Roxanne. | |
He instantly decides to defend Ligniere
from the hundred attackers. |
Comments
Post a Comment