Cyrano provides a fascinating case study in many of the enlightenment values at the turn of the century. Cyrano is the perfect example of mind over matter. He uses his wits, intelligence and his unique skill set to remain just in the peripherals of his beloved's mind. As ghost writer for Christian, Cyrano helps him woo the lovely Roxane. The characters in this play like Cyrano feel real love due to their selfless nature and their willingness to help others even at their own expense. Despite the fact that Cyrano is in love with Roxane himself, he defers to Christian because Roxane expresses interest in him. Even after Christians death, Cyrano refuses to soil his honor by coming clean about his authorship of Christian’s words. the gesture suggests a great deal about the contrast between inner and outer beauty, as well as our own tendency as humans to not know what we really want until its too late (i.e. Roxane).
It is also interesting to note how this play comments upon itself. At the beginning of the play Cyrano is attending a play which results in an altercation because someone was disrespecting the performance. Also, the play itself is written in a 12 syllable meter, which makes the poetic aspects of the story as well as its discussion of words and language especially interesting.
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