Cyrano de bergerac An Introduction

Edmond rostand Born in France in 1868, as the country was transitioning from a monarchy to a republican government. Raised in Marseilles in an artistic family (father a poet, uncle a composer) but pressured by his father to study law in Paris, where he also began to write plays and poems. Visited French troupes fighting in WWI, and died six weeks after the war ended, at the age of fifty. Born in France in 1868, as the country was transitioning from a monarchy to a republican government. Raised in Marseilles in an artistic family (father a poet, uncle a composer) but pressured by his father to study law in Paris, where he also began to write plays and poems. Visited French troupes fighting in WWI, and died six weeks after the war ended, at the age of fifty.

The play First produced in Although Rostand was a popular playwright, Cyrano de Bergerac was expected to fail. He used a form popular with French playwrights one hundred years earlier; modern Parisians were expected to be bored. Contrary to expectation, a full hour after the final curtain fell, the audience was still applauding thunderously.

Literary traditions Realism and Naturalism Major literary movements during Rostand’s timeMajor literary movements during Rostand’s time A response to industrialization and scientific advancesA response to industrialization and scientific advances Emphasis on objective documentation of everyday lifeEmphasis on objective documentation of everyday life Rejects idealization and glamorRejects idealization and glamor Depicts working class life and societal problemsDepicts working class life and societal problems Belief in social and psychological objectivity; theater should explain scientific laws of human behaviorBelief in social and psychological objectivity; theater should explain scientific laws of human behavior Romanticism A literary movement from before Rostand’s timeA literary movement from before Rostand’s time A revolt against aristocratic social and political norms of and a reaction against the scientific rationalization of natureA revolt against aristocratic social and political norms of and a reaction against the scientific rationalization of nature rationalization Validates strong emotion as an authentic source of aesthetic experienceValidates strong emotion as an authentic source of aesthetic experienceaesthetic Emphasis on idealism and heroismEmphasis on idealism and heroism Prevalence of romantic heroes, beautiful maidens, sword fights, and the power of poetry and artPrevalence of romantic heroes, beautiful maidens, sword fights, and the power of poetry and art

Terms to know SWASHBUCKLER Colorful swordfighter; heroic and idealistic, he rescues damsels in distress, fights dastardly villains, displays outstanding courage, resourcefulness, chivalry and a distinctive sense of honor and justice PANACHE Flair, individual sense of style, verve, or pizzazz HEROIC COMEDY Centered on a noble character who undergoes a test involving a romantic relationship ALEXANDRINE VERSE French line of poetic meter; each line has 12 syllables, divided into two parts by a caesura (audible pause) SWASHBUCKLER Colorful swordfighter; heroic and idealistic, he rescues damsels in distress, fights dastardly villains, displays outstanding courage, resourcefulness, chivalry and a distinctive sense of honor and justice PANACHE Flair, individual sense of style, verve, or pizzazz HEROIC COMEDY Centered on a noble character who undergoes a test involving a romantic relationship ALEXANDRINE VERSE French line of poetic meter; each line has 12 syllables, divided into two parts by a caesura (audible pause)

The real cyrano Savinien Cyrano de Bergerac (1619 – 1655) Accomplished swordsman and member of the French Guards Wrote plays, pamphlets and other works Had an unusually large nose Injured in the battle of Arras Severely injured at age 35 when a plank fell on his head Died at age 36 (either from the plank injury or syphillus)

The fictional cyrano The real Cyrano was born and died in Paris, while the fictional Cyrano is from Gascony, a region with Basque influence and the cultural stereotype of passion

Historical setting: France, 1645 The Thirty Years’ War (1618 – 1648) fought primarily in what is now Germanyfought primarily in what is now Germany involved most European countriesinvolved most European countries began as Protestant/Catholic feud, but became a conflict over the balance of powerbegan as Protestant/Catholic feud, but became a conflict over the balance of power Resulted in: extensive destruction of entire regions denuded by foraging armies; episodes of famine and disease; bankruptcy for most of the combatant powersResulted in: extensive destruction of entire regions denuded by foraging armies; episodes of famine and disease; bankruptcy for most of the combatant powers

Historical setting: France, 1645