Page (6 of 6) Quotes:
1 2 3 4 5 6
How we cite the quotes:
Citations follow this format: (Act.Line)
| Quote #16 ROXANE
Tell me now
The Court news – my gazette!
CYRANO
Let me see –
ROXANE
Ah!
CYRANO (More and more pale, struggling against pain)
Saturday, the nineteenth: The King fell ill,
After eight helpings of grape marmalade.
His malady was brought before the court,
Found guilty of high treason; whereupon
His Majesty revived. The royal pulse
Is now normal. Sunday, the twentieth:
The Queen gave a grand ball, at which they burned
Seven hundred and sixty-three wax candles. Note:
They say our troops have been victorious
In Austria. Later: Three sorcerers
Have been hung. Special post: The little dog
Of Madame d’Athis was obliged to take
Four pills before –
ROXANE
Monsieur de Bergerac,
Will be kindly be quiet!
CYRANO
Monday…nothing.
Lygdamire has a new lover.
ROXANE
Oh! (V. 193-209) |
Roxane’s concerns are frivolous when compared to Cyrano’s state of near-death. She wants only news of the court, a circle of society in which she no longer plays a part. Cyrano’s recounting tells of the trivial details of love affairs and the pets of famous names. Cyrano’s Gazette recalls our modern day tabloids.
| Quote #17 CYRANO (To Ragueneau)
The Scene
Went well?...
RAGUENEAU
Ah, monsieur, they laughed – and laughed –
How they did laugh!
CYRANO
Yes – that has been my life…
Do you remember that night Christian spoke
Under your window? It was always so!
While I stood in the darkness underneath,
Others climbed up to win the applause – the kiss! –
Well – that seems only justice – I still say,
Even now, on the threshold of my tomb –
"Molière has genius – Christian had good looks – " (V. 295-303) |
Cyrano’s words about himself, that while he "stood in the darkness underneath, / Others climbed up to win the applause" likens his life to a play, a made-up story, and somewhat deprives it of a gritty sense of reality.
| Quote #18 ROXANE
You shall not die! I love you!
CYRANO
No –
That is not in the story! You remember
When Beauty said "I love you" to the Beast
That was a fairy prince, his ugliness
Changed and dissolved, like magic…But you see
I am still the same. (V. 308 – 313) |
Cyrano likens his tragic life to a fairy tale. Though we would expect such a story to end happily, Cyrano deals us a reality check; he has not transformed into a handsome prince and his ending is far from happy.
