1. Cyrano de Bergerac
By Edmond Rostand

2. 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

3. 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

4. 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

5. 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

6. 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 , 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

7. 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

8. 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 ( )
Key battle French siege of town of Arras—the setting for a scene in the play
Background of the Play

9. 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