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Cyrano de Bergerac
A quarrelsome, hot-tempered, and unattractive swordsman falls hopelessly in love with a beautiful woman and woos her for a handsome but slow-witted suitor. A witty and eloquent drama.
Paperback, 96 pages
Published
May 24th 2000
by Dover Publications
(first published 1897)
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YET ANOTHER READING, December 15, 2009
I forced my class to read this book for their reading time, which is usually reserved for personal reading time.
They loved it.
I can't think of a better endorsement. No other book I know of can get the full enthusiasm of both an English teacher and a classroom full of stratified and unique, individual students--especially when they have been forced to read the book.
Why? Because Cyrano has a universal appeal that spans g...more
I forced my class to read this book for their reading time, which is usually reserved for personal reading time.
They loved it.
I can't think of a better endorsement. No other book I know of can get the full enthusiasm of both an English teacher and a classroom full of stratified and unique, individual students--especially when they have been forced to read the book.
Why? Because Cyrano has a universal appeal that spans g...more
oh! heartwrenchingly wonderful! to love someone from afar and to return to them when you're dying to confess of your love! those final scences are matchless!--where roxanne is sewing away in her convent and cyrano comes, fighting death to reveal that "how many things have died and are now newborn? why were you silent for so many years? all the while those letters, every night on my breast, YOUR TEARS! you knew they were your tears!" oh man oh man. *sigh*
re-read via Gutenberg Project on my nutty NUUT whilst sitting on a pink granite tump on the tiniest island imaginable, in the Skaggerak. Warm, windy and wine-y - holidays are good...
Intermittent internet access to laptop via dongle. My goodness but there is serious moneh cruising up and down these waters....
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CYRANO DE BERGERAC
by Edmond Rostand
adapted for radio by John Tydeman
Blurb - Cyrano de Bergerac is, perhaps, the greatest classic romance. ...more
Intermittent internet access to laptop via dongle. My goodness but there is serious moneh cruising up and down these waters....
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CYRANO DE BERGERAC
by Edmond Rostand
adapted for radio by John Tydeman
Blurb - Cyrano de Bergerac is, perhaps, the greatest classic romance. ...more
I read this along with my daughter. The first act didn't grab me but after that I really enjoyed it. I didn't like Cyrano at first then I grew to admire him. He had integrity. He was true to Christian. It is a sweet sad love story.
Ah Cyrano, you of the forever-unbesmirched white plume, you who compromiseth not, you witty boastful holy heathen. You whose facial prominence was unbegotten of lies, as Pinocchio, but by the cruel capriciousness of nature, who was made very much of flesh not wood and whose human heart lay unseen under the shadow of your long disability; you seemed consigned to a certain Pinocchio-like boyhood when you wanted to be a man in full. But, ah fate! Your nose was a beacon signalling unhappiness and yo...more
This is one of the best plays. I would love to see this done live.
Amazing story written in gorgeous verse -- it was all worth muddling through irregular verbs in French class to be able to read this drama in Rostand's language! The heartstopping climax of Cyrano's words to Roxane on the balcony are the epitome of romance expressed so beautifully and sincere. His definition of a kiss is one of the most memorable scenes in theater. The drama is cleverly written, with flowing tempo and rhyme that doesn't feel forced. [return][return]As for the story, many have im...more
Translated by Lowell Bair, afterword by Henry Hewes (on various stage productions of the play and the efficacy of Bair’s translation). The timeless tale of the big-nosed wit who agrees to write love letters for the handsome dullard Christian, who like Cyrano loves Roxane. The thing that struck me on this second reading (first was circa 1985!) was that not only is the play an admirably original take on star-crossed lovers, it’s the portrait of an intransigently independent and proud soul. Cyra...more
This was our book club's first play to read together, and I thoroughly enjoyed the reading, and particularly the discussion that came from the reading. First, the message of inner beauty being most important is so poignant, and Cyrano's character so fascinating. Although he has such bravado and seems impervious to harm, physical and emotional, Rostand clearly meant the viewers to understand that this was an act, and the educated speculation as to what lay behind this facade was one of the thing...more
Alright, I'm not one for plays but I had heard so much about "Cyrano de Bergerac" that I felt I just had to read it. Well, the plotline is pretty simple: Cyrando de Bergerac is a skilled fighter and a wonderful poet who is in love with Roxane, who is in love with a soldier named Christian. Christian, although handsome, is not very skilled in the department of poetry. Cyrano de Bergerac, in his desperation to make Roxane happy, decides to "help" Christian court Roxane by feedi...more
Five stars for one of the most heartbreaking lines in romance:
I have never loved but one man
And I have lost him - twice
and for the most self-deprecating and wittiest soliloquies ever:
Young man, I am afraid your speech was a trifle short. You could have said at least one hundred other things, varying the tone of your words. Let me give you some examples.
In an aggressive tone: "Sir, if I had a nose like that, I would amputate it!"
...more
I have never loved but one man
And I have lost him - twice
and for the most self-deprecating and wittiest soliloquies ever:
Young man, I am afraid your speech was a trifle short. You could have said at least one hundred other things, varying the tone of your words. Let me give you some examples.
In an aggressive tone: "Sir, if I had a nose like that, I would amputate it!"
...more
This review is all about the translation. About the play itself -- well, you already know whether you fell in love with Cyrano at a tender age or not.
Now I really believe I'm going to have to go back and figure out which translation it was that I read until it literally fell apart when I was in high school.
In some ways, I'm sure I'd find this translation superior. It's a nice one to read aloud, with pleasant rolling rhythms, some fun with internal rhymes, and no slavish devot...more
Now I really believe I'm going to have to go back and figure out which translation it was that I read until it literally fell apart when I was in high school.
In some ways, I'm sure I'd find this translation superior. It's a nice one to read aloud, with pleasant rolling rhythms, some fun with internal rhymes, and no slavish devot...more
Required reading my senior year of high school. At the time I read it I had seen Roxanne (the Steve Martin dramady based off the play). I thought the play was not nearly as funny although it was often quite witty in a drier way. I remember thinking that people just need to say what they think/feel and stop whining about it. And I do remember, in the end, feeling sorry for Cyrano... that he got a raw deal of it all.
Now just a couple years ago I saw a live performance at Stratford (...more
Now just a couple years ago I saw a live performance at Stratford (...more
Cyrano de Bergerac
One of the most celebrated plays of poetic love translated to many languages from French is “Cyrano de Bergerac”. Like “Romeo and Juliet” this is an engaging play of romance and courage and nobleness. However, it has a slightly different plot. Cyrano de Bergerac is the name of the hideous yet stunningly talented poet that is in love with his cousin Roxane. Unlike Cyrano, Roxane is a beautiful, flawless young woman. She however is in love with another man named Christi...more
One of the most celebrated plays of poetic love translated to many languages from French is “Cyrano de Bergerac”. Like “Romeo and Juliet” this is an engaging play of romance and courage and nobleness. However, it has a slightly different plot. Cyrano de Bergerac is the name of the hideous yet stunningly talented poet that is in love with his cousin Roxane. Unlike Cyrano, Roxane is a beautiful, flawless young woman. She however is in love with another man named Christi...more
Inner and Outer Beauty
Cyrano de Bergerac can be read as an allegory of inner and outer beauty. Cyrano, representing inner beauty, passively battles Christian, who represents outer beauty, for Roxane’s love. Roxane becomes the arbiter of the relative values of these characters and, by extension, of the values of inner and outer beauty. The play places a premium on inner beauty, integrity, and intellect. Yet Cyrano’s own swashbuckling, flamboyant character emphasizes his exterior rathe...more
Cyrano de Bergerac can be read as an allegory of inner and outer beauty. Cyrano, representing inner beauty, passively battles Christian, who represents outer beauty, for Roxane’s love. Roxane becomes the arbiter of the relative values of these characters and, by extension, of the values of inner and outer beauty. The play places a premium on inner beauty, integrity, and intellect. Yet Cyrano’s own swashbuckling, flamboyant character emphasizes his exterior rathe...more
"What's in the name? That which we call a rose by any other name would still smell as sweet?" This quote is from one William Shakespeare's most famous plays, Romeo and Juliet. I remember hearing this quote when I was younger, but I never truly understood what it meant up until a few years ago. That's about all the Shakespeare I understand. I know the story of Romeo and Juliet, but ninety- eight percent of the time I don't know what the characters are saying, unless someone explains to ...more
Cyrano de Bergerac is unequivocally among the greatest plays of all time. Ranking alongside Shakespeare, Beckett, and Molliere, Rostand, too, merits reading in the original language for a full appreciation of his mastery of words and verbal associations. Obviously, doing so is often impossible, and luckily, even in translation, the language shines. This quintessential story of pining and sacrifice transcends language and age, and comes alive with the playwright's blend of jovial humor and searin...more
Contains one of the great comic soliloquies in dramatic literature--Cyrano describing his nose in various fashions:
Young man, I am afraid your speech was a trifle short. You could have said at least one hundred other things, varying the tone of your words. Let me give you some examples.
In an aggressive tone: "Sir, if I had a nose like that, I would amputate it!"
Friendly: "When you drink from a cup your nose must get wet. Why don't you drink from...more
Young man, I am afraid your speech was a trifle short. You could have said at least one hundred other things, varying the tone of your words. Let me give you some examples.
In an aggressive tone: "Sir, if I had a nose like that, I would amputate it!"
Friendly: "When you drink from a cup your nose must get wet. Why don't you drink from...more
When we read this in class, I was always 2 acts ahead of everyone else. I would take home the book and read it so I could have the lines down. I felt that passionately about it!! (Sorry Mrs. Flanders for reading ahead!! =D) I got to Cyrano. If I were a guy in real life, I would REALLY want to be in this play. As it is, I'm not a guy.....so alas, Cyrano, you and your white plume will not be mine on stage! But if you enjoyed Dumas or Shakespeare or any play or perhaps the acting Gerard de Pardieu...more
Cyrano de Bergerac est indubitablement une des meilleures pièces de théâtre que j'ai lu.C'est surtout la fin qui m'a touchée ,non pas jusqu'aux larmes (il ne faut pas exagérer quand même)mais jusqu'au tréfonds de mon coeur. Cette pièce m'a encore une fois demontré que je suis irrémédiablement eprise du romantique et qu'aucun autre genre ne pourrait avoir un tel impact sur ma sensibilité. Par ailleurs , je m'obstine à penser que j'ai eu beaucoup à apprendre d'un personnage comme Cyrano. Peut-être...more
Génial !
La meilleure pièce de théâtre que j'ai lue, mêlant action, intrigues, amour et drame.
"CYRANO : Pourquoi donc prendre un air dénigrant ?
– Peut-être que monsieur le trouve un peu trop grand ?
LE FACHEUX, balbutiant : Je le trouve petit, tout petit, minuscule !
CYRANO : Hein ? Comment ? m’accuser d’un pareil ridicule ?
Petit, mon nez ? Hola !
LE FACHEUX : Ciel !
CYRANO : Énorme, mon nez !
– Vil camus, sot camard, tête plat...more
La meilleure pièce de théâtre que j'ai lue, mêlant action, intrigues, amour et drame.
"CYRANO : Pourquoi donc prendre un air dénigrant ?
– Peut-être que monsieur le trouve un peu trop grand ?
LE FACHEUX, balbutiant : Je le trouve petit, tout petit, minuscule !
CYRANO : Hein ? Comment ? m’accuser d’un pareil ridicule ?
Petit, mon nez ? Hola !
LE FACHEUX : Ciel !
CYRANO : Énorme, mon nez !
– Vil camus, sot camard, tête plat...more
This story is a classic and priceless. I've never read the play in book-form, but I've seen a couple versions played on the stage. I've seen a couple versions played on screen. Now, I've finally read the play on paper.
'Cyrano de Bergerac' is by far one of my favorite plays, so I was super excited when I found this book on sale at Goodwill (yes, I like searching through the bookshelves at Goodwill, one persons thrown away book could be my treasure. I think that's how that goes...). I'll...more
'Cyrano de Bergerac' is by far one of my favorite plays, so I was super excited when I found this book on sale at Goodwill (yes, I like searching through the bookshelves at Goodwill, one persons thrown away book could be my treasure. I think that's how that goes...). I'll...more
Ce livre est la pièce maîtresse de l'oeuvre de Rostand. Ce dernier s'inspire d'un personnage historique plus ou moins connu et lui a donné une renommée impressionante, de par son génie. L'histoire est très loin de la vérité, comme il en est de même pour de nombreuses tragédies et tragi-comédies cultes (on peut citer "le Cid" de Corneille ou bien "Lucrèce Borgia" de Hugo), car le talent de l'auteur prend à un certain moment le pas sur l'histoire et le personnage lui-même. Pour...more
Thomas
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review of another edition
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"Cyrano de Bergerac" is basically about this swordsman named Cyrano, who is an amazing fighter and poet and is in love with his cousin Roxanne. The only bad thing is that Cyrano has a huge nose which keeps him from approaching Roxanne in earnest. Anyway, there's also this other guy that likes Roxanne named Christian, but although Christian has really good looks, he is a screw up with words and doesn't know how to communicate with females. Finally, there's another guy (whose already mar...more
4.5 STARS
*I get this book from school for English*
*I read the first page*
*lost*
*Re-reads first page*
*still lost*
Me: Hey, do you guys get what's going on?
People in my class: nope-nada-not a clue-i'm so confused too!-wait...what?-I think we're supposed to ignore most of the words."
Me: Oh, then this is really boring...
-------Next day-------------
*discuss in class, first page reread and explained by teacher*
Cla...more
*I get this book from school for English*
*I read the first page*
*lost*
*Re-reads first page*
*still lost*
Me: Hey, do you guys get what's going on?
People in my class: nope-nada-not a clue-i'm so confused too!-wait...what?-I think we're supposed to ignore most of the words."
Me: Oh, then this is really boring...
-------Next day-------------
*discuss in class, first page reread and explained by teacher*
Cla...more
I got this book for Christmas two or three years ago. When I saw it on my bookshelf the other day, I decided it was weird (and kind of deceitful) to have a book there that I hadn't actually read, so I read it.
It's a pretty good play. The story is pretty famous, so I don't think there were any big surprises or anything. I'm sure it's better on stage - plays are written to be performed.
It's a pretty good play. The story is pretty famous, so I don't think there were any big surprises or anything. I'm sure it's better on stage - plays are written to be performed.
One of the best plays i've read in a long time. Also one of the most funniest and saddest play ever performed on stage. Rostand mirrors the genius of Shakespeare, he truly is the French Shakespeare in my mind. The performance of all the characters is just so good, while the irony of the story is which only the audiences know and not the main characters. It's a story in which you don't get the big Shakespearean dramatic finish instead what you get is the human touch of the end. The two male chara...more
This is another book where I know I'm the odd one out. To start, I did start the book fully expecting to love it, but as I read, several issues came up. I have almost no good theater experiences, so that's a start to my indifference. I suspect if this had been a novel, I would have enjoyed it more (I certainly enjoyed the movie version). Also, love-triangle. Not my thing. I also was very annoyed by Cyrano in the first act - I know that it's supposed to be witty and funny and everything, but it j...more
My first encounter with Cyrano (even before watching the excellent film version with Gérard Depardieu) was while watching Wishbone at a very young age. Even then, I found something to love in the story, and in the witty, brusque, but also shy Cyrano. Then I read it in English. Then I read it in French. Every encounter was more rewarding than the last.
It could very well be that my fondness for Cyrano comes from having, at certain points in high school, nearly found myself in his position. I...more
It could very well be that my fondness for Cyrano comes from having, at certain points in high school, nearly found myself in his position. I...more
Edmond Rostand's "Cyrano de Bergerac" is probably one of my top favorite plays. It's funny, intelligent, romantic, sad, etc. This play is just so extremely well written. The dramatic irony throughout the story kept me on the edge of my seat reading and dying to shout to Roxanne what was really going on. The character's Rostand creates are simply fantastic, especially when it comes to Cyrano himself, a man with a famously large nose. Cyrano is witty and extremely intelligent and you can...more
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| Who would you say is the most guilty in the text? | 3 | 23 | Oct 09, 2011 10:57pm |
Edmond Eugène Alexis Rostand was a French poet and dramatist.
Rostand is associated with neo-romanticism, and is best known for his play "Cyrano de Bergerac". Rostand's romantic plays provided an alternative to the naturalistic theatre popular during the late 19th century. One of Rostand's works, Les Romanesques, has been adapted as the highly successful musical comedy The Fant...more
More about Edmond Rostand...
Rostand is associated with neo-romanticism, and is best known for his play "Cyrano de Bergerac". Rostand's romantic plays provided an alternative to the naturalistic theatre popular during the late 19th century. One of Rostand's works, Les Romanesques, has been adapted as the highly successful musical comedy The Fant...more
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“And what is a kiss, specifically? A pledge properly sealed, a promise seasoned to taste, a vow stamped with the immediacy of a lip, a rosy circle drawn around the verb 'to love.' A kiss is a message too intimate for the ear, infinity captured in the bee's brief visit to a flower, secular communication with an aftertaste of heaven, the pulse rising from the heart to utter its name on a lover's lip: 'Forever.”
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“All our souls are written in our eyes”
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Nov 18, 2010 07:31pm