Cyrano de Bergerac By Edmond Rostand

Meet Edmond Rostand Born 1868 in France Born to artistic family Father was a poet and professor Uncle was a composer Spent childhood in Marseilles Brilliant student; studied law in Paris Never practiced law Real love was literature Meet Edmond Rostand

Meet Edmond Rostand Cont.’d Rostand’s early works feature poetic sentiments and noble ideas April 1896 Rostand began working on what is considered his masterpiece— Cyrano de Bergerac Cyrano was very different from popular mainstream plays of the time In 1900 Rostand produced second-best work—The Eaglet Meet Edmond Rostand Cont.’d

Meet Edmond Rostand Cont.’d After The Eaglet Rostand’s health deteriorated Moved to southern France seeking more healthful climate Received Legion of Honor (award for cultural achievement) Supported French effort in WWI and visited the trenches which shocked him greatly Died six weeks after WWI ended at age 50 Meet Edmond Rostand Cont.’d

During rehearsal of the play fall of 1897, mood was grim Rumors were the play was highly artificial (a form that was popular 100 yrs. earlier) Last years of 19th century industrialization taking place Realism becoming popular Emphasizes objective documentation of everyday life, working-class life—rejects idealization or glamor (Cyrano de Bergerac is the epitome of this) Realism developed into naturalism Same goals as realism but also stresses the governing of human life by natural laws People argued that theater should explain scientific laws of human behavior Introducing the Play

Introducing the Play Cont.’d Play about romantic heroes, beautiful maidens, sword fights, etc. Directors of theater who accepted the play regretted their decision and cut funding When curtain rose on Cyrano de Bergerac for first time on Dec. 28 1897, expectations low However, audiences pleasantly surprised Theatergoers cheered, sighed, laughed, cried, and applauded an hour after the curtain fell Was one of the century's greatest smash hits Introducing the Play Cont.’d

Introducing the Play Cont.’d Many critics attributed play’s tremendous success to its romanticism Emphasis on idealism or heroism Readers and viewers able to recognize aspects of universal human condition Also popular because cleverness of writing Cyrano known and loved most of all for his panache (flair, individual sense of style, verve, or pizzazz) Introducing the Play Cont.’d

Background of the Play Play set in France during 1640-1655 France fraught with political tension and conflict with foreign enemies Majority of play takes place in 1640 when Louis XIII sat on throne and Armand-Jean du Plessis Richelieu (Roman Catholic cardinal) dominated political landscape Richelieu’s goals were to strengthen French monarchy and make France most powerful nation in Europe He led France in Thirty Years’ War (1618-1648) Key battle French siege of town of Arras—the setting for a scene in the play Background of the Play

Background of the Play Cont.’d Hero in play based on real-life person Real Cyrano born 1619 and from Paris Castle owned by his father was called Bergerac Cyrano had beautiful and intelligent cousin, Madeleine Robineau, who was married to Count de Neuvillette—helped Cyrano become member of high society Well known for dueling skills and inordinately long nose Coached comrades on how to speak and write effectively, especially on matters of love An accident took his life when he was 36 Background of the Play Cont.’d