Cyrano de Bergerac Literature Essay Sample

No matter how beautiful a person might seem on the outside, their true beauty comes from within. In Edmond Rostand’s play, Cyrano de Bergerac, he proves this to be true. Although Cyrano is not very attractive, he knows how to use his words and actions to prove his eloquence. By paying attention to Cyrano’s word choice and how he expresses himself, one can begin to understand his true emotions. During the balcony scene, Cyrano uses different types of language styles to create a romantic mood that supports the underlying theme of inner beauty overpowering outer beauty. 

Cyrano uses comparisons throughout the balcony scene to showcase his true love for Roxane. He points out similarities between Roxane and other magnificent things to create a more detailed confession. After Cyrano wishes to remain unseen and is questioned for it, he says: 

CYRANO. Yes!-yes… Night, making all things dimly beautiful,

One veil over us both You only see

The darkness of a long cloak in the gloom

And I the witness of a summer gown

You are all light-I am all shadow!

How Can you know what this moment means to me?

If I was ever eloquent-

ROXANE. You were Eloquent-

CYRANO. -You have never heard till now

My own heart speaking! (Rostand 3. 245-250)

Cyrano uses this metaphor to compare Roxane to light and himself to shadow. He does this to flatter Roxane and create a lovely mood between the two. Cyrano believes that Roxane will never love him, but that does not stop him from expressing how he feels about her.  This moment means everything to Cyrano, although Roxane is oblivious. He goes on later to say that he has never expressed his love through his mouth and that he has always spoken through another. This later statement furthers the dramatic irony within the scene and helps to prove that Roxane has fallen in love with Cyrano’s words, and not Christian’s beauty. Cyrano continues to describe his love for Roxane by using metaphors throughout this scene. Not only does Cyrano use metaphors when speaking with Roxane, but he also uses similes such as, “Your name is like a golden bell / Hung in my heart; and when I think of you / I tremble, and the bell swings and rings-” (Rostand 3. 303-305). Cyrano uses this simile comparing Roxane’s name to a golden bell to charm her. Bells typically symbolize joy and a world of happiness, and just hearing Roxane’s name or thinking of her puts him in this joyful state. Roxane makes Cyrano happy and he feels this connection to Roxane that cannot be felt with anyone else. This helps to show that Cyrano has fallen in love with Roxane for who she is on the inside and not just what she looks like. Cyrano is an excellent writer who knows how to use poetic devices to his advantage, so not only does he use figurative language in this scene, he also uses his diction to showcase his love. 

The use of affectionate diction between Cyrano and Roxane proves how their intelligence connects them romantically. They both want partners who are intellectual and can express themselves formally. Cyrano can use poetic devices, such as alliteration, to effectively change the mood of the scene like, “...Too large a mark to miss! My words fly home / Heavy with honey, like returning bees / To your small secret ear (Rostand 3. 231-234). Cyrano’s use of alliteration in these lines creates a flow in his words, it makes them seem more poetic, thus more romantic. By doing this with his words he also appears more intelligent because he can make these phrases up in a very little amount of time. Roxane is attracted to this intelligence and pleased to hear how well the words are now flowing out of what she still believes is Christian’s mouth. Cyrano also uses poetic devices such as alliteration to showcase his intelligence and his love for Roxane. An example of this is when he states, “...Love, I love beyond/breathe, beyond reason, beyond love's own power/Of loving! (Rostand 3. 301-304). There is a great amount of passion and eagerness behind Cyrano’s words. He is explaining to Roxane that his love for her is unconditional and goes beyond limitations and reason. He describes what makes him unique and desirable rather than just simply stating that he loves her. Cyrano can not control his infatuation with Roxane and believes that what he feels might even be stronger than love. Roxane agrees and tells him that his words perfectly explain what love truly is. Cyrano is able to communicate with Roxane through his words, but he is also able to use his actions to show his affection for her. 

The stage directions and Cyrano’s movements throughout the balcony scene show his passion for Roxane. Not only can he use his words to grasp Roxane’s attention, but he can also use his physical behavior. Cyrano tells Roxane that he can feel her trembling through the jasmine and the stage direction right after that states,  “(He kisses wildly the end of a drooping spray of jasmine)” (Rostand 3. 717). Before this stage direction, Cyrano is speaking to Roxane in a very affectionate manner. He says that he can feel her trembling with love through the branches which he then decides to embrace. He does this to show his desire for Roxane, and show how passionate he is about her. Cyrano expresses his love through the simple embrace of the jasmine and it helps to create that intimate mood between the two. He continues to use movements and actions to demonstrate his love throughout this conversation. Cyrano is hidden in the dark until suddenly a stage direction implies that he, “(Passionately; moves nearer)” (Rostand 3. 716). Although this stage direction is brief, it effectively shows Cyrano’s confidence level rising. As he continues his conversation with Roxane, he realizes that she loves his words and his intelligence. Cyrano knows that he is not the best-looking character, but he gains confidence with every word of acceptance from Roxane. Moving closer to Roxane was a risk because she could have figured out that it was him and not Christian, but at this moment he did not seem to care. During this point of the balcony scene, Cyrano gets so tied up in his emotions for Roxane that nothing else seems to matter to him. Cyrano’s use of not only words but also physical actions throughout this scene helps to portray his genuine love for Roxane. 

In the play Cyrano De Bergerac, Rostand uses multiple literary devices to emphasize the importance of inner beauty. Although Cyrano is not the best looking, by using affectionate diction and passionate movements he is able to prove that he is worthy of Roxane’s love. Cyrano is a very romantic character who knows how to use his words to make up for his appearance. One thing that the play Cyrano de Bergerac proves is that looks can be quite deceiving, and physical beauty is only skin deep.