70 pages 2 hours read

Cyrano de Bergerac

Fiction | Play | Adult | Published in 1897

A modern alternative to SparkNotes and CliffsNotes, SuperSummary offers high-quality Study Guides with detailed chapter summaries and analysis of major themes, characters, and more. For select classroom titles, we also provide Teaching Guides with discussion and quiz questions to prompt student engagement.

Introduction

Teacher Introduction

Cyrano de Bergerac

  • Genre: Fiction; historical drama
  • Originally Published: 1897
  • Reading Level/Interest: Grades 9-12; college/adult
  • Structure/Length: 5 acts; approximately 240 pages; approximately 4 hours, 28 minutes on audiobook
  • Protagonist/Central Conflict: The play follows Cyrano de Bergerac, a skilled swordsman, poet, and musician known for his large nose. Despite his wit and talents, Cyrano is plagued by self-doubt due to his appearance. He falls in love with his cousin Roxane but believes he can never win her love due to his physical features. When Roxane confesses her love for the handsome but inarticulate Christian, Cyrano agrees to help Christian woo Roxane using his own eloquent words. The central conflict regards Cyrano's internal struggle between his love for Roxane and his self-consciousness about his appearance.
  • Potential Sensitivity Issues: Duels; mild violence; themes of unrequited love

Edmond Rostand

  • Bio: Born 1868; French playwright and poet; known for his contributions to the French romantic tradition; most well-known for Cyrano de Bergerac, which became an instant hit and solidified his reputation as a playwright; explores themes of love, honor, and self-perception in his works; demonstrated a flair for poetic language and character development; received the Legion of Honour for his contributions to French literature
  • Other Works: Les Romanesques (1894); L'Aiglon (1900); Chantecler (1910); La Dernière Nuit de Don Juan (1921)