Cyrano de Bergerac Study Questions

Before taking the exam on Wednesday, please read through all of your notes on Cyrano and prepare for all of the questions below. If you would like to earn up to 10 points extra credit, write out thorough answers to at least 17 of the questions below. Be sure to reflect on and answer those questions you are most unsure of. Use a separate piece of paper. Your answers are due at the beginning of the period on Thursday.

 

1.    Explain why Cyrano insults his own nose and what it shows about him in the Act I nose speech.

2.    What does the white plume/panache symbolize in Cyrano's final speech?

3.    Reflect on the importance of the following lines from the balcony scene.

"I remember last year, the First of May,
A little before noon, you had your hair
Drawn low, that one time only. Is that strange?
You know how, after looking at the sun,
One sees red suns everywhere--so for hours
After the flood of sunshine that you are
My eyes are blinded by your burning hair"
and
"But to-night . . . but to-night, I indeed speak for the first time."
and
"But such a babe is dangerous; why not have smothered it new-born?"

4.    Why do you think Roxane isn't angry with Cyrano when he finally tells the truth about the letters?

5.    Why did Roxane move to the convent after Christian died? Was it a good choice? Why do you think she never wondered about Cyrano's role?

6.    What confusion occurs during Roxane and Cyrano's conversation in Act II (at Ragueneau’s bakery)? What are they thinking?

7.    What was Christian's first impression of Roxane? Does that impression change? What kind of love does he feel towards her?

8.    What is revealed about Cyrano in the Poem-duel scene? Why is this an imporant scene at the beginning of the play?

9.    What does the following quotation mean and what does it show about Cyrano's character? "Tonight, when I march into heaven, I will carry with me something tall and proud, unbent by the world"

10.  In Act III, what was Roxane trying to do with De Guiche?

11.  What is the symbolism of the sword, the pen, and the white plume in Cyrano? How are these symbols connected?

12.  Why does Cyrano help Christian so many times?

13.  How does Roxane change in her attitude about love? Why?

14.  If you were Roxane, how would you react to Cyrano telling you the truth about the letters after 15 years?

15.  Describe the following characters: Ligniere, Ragueneau, Montfleury, De Guiche, Le Bret

16.  Why did Cyrano wait so long and then finally tell Roxane the truth? What would have been the best time to tell her and why?

17.  Explain the symbolism of Cyrano/Christian’s final letter? Be sure to discuss the letter itself and the tears and blood on it.

18.   Define metaphor. Give an example from the play. How does Rostand’s use of metaphor contribute to the play?

19.  What does Roxane mean when she says, "I never loved but one man in my life, and I have lost him—twice?"

20.  Define dramatic irony. Give two examples from the play and explain how they are ironic. How does irony contribute to the play as a whole?

21.     How does De Guiche change during the play?

 

 

 

Test format

7 - 8 quotation identifications

8 - 10 short answer (selected from the above questions)