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. The play First produced in 1896. 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 Romanticism Naturalism • Major literary movements during • A literary movement from before Rostand’s time Rostand’s time

• A response to industrialization and • A revolt against aristocratic social scientific advances and political norms of and a reaction against the scientific • Emphasis on objective rationalization of nature documentation of everyday life • Validates strong emotion as an • Rejects idealization and glamor authentic source of aesthetic experience • Depicts working class life and societal problems • Emphasis on idealism and heroism

• Belief in social and psychological • Prevalence of romantic heroes, objectivity; theater should explain beautiful maidens, sword fights, and scientific laws of human behavior 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)

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 Germany

• involved most European countries

• began 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 powers

Historical setting: France, 1645