Journal Question:

The play we’re about to read focuses on the importance of physical appearance. Why do you think physical appearance is so important in our society? Is it important to you personally? If so, why?

CYRANO DE BERGERACCONTEXT AND INTRODUCTION

EDMOND ROSTANDBorn in Marseilles, France in 1868

His father (a poet), encouraged him to become a lawyer. Rostand instead had a passion for French literature and theater, and went to college in Paris.

Became more and more successful as a playwright, with Cyrano de Bergerac premiering in 1897

Famous for his romances and tragedies

His work has been compared to Shakespeare

HISTORICAL CONTEXTPerformed during the late nineteenth century (1897), but takes place in the mid-1600s. Plays during this period were usually very dark and realistic, but his play was a comical, historical romance. Surprisingly, it was a big hit.

Character of Cyrano was based on a real person, who was actually very similar to the character in the play.

The “real” Cyrano did fight in the Thirty Years War like he did in the play, and was said to have a large nose. However, the love story that takes place in the play is entirely fictional.

SETTINGWHEN: First 4 acts take place in 1640, and the 5th act takes place in 1655.

WHERE: Play takes place in Paris, France. The scenes take place in a theater, a pastry shop, Roxane’s home, the battlefield, and a convent.

WHO: The characters include noblemen, musketeers, soldiers, intellectuals, and romantics.

THIRTY YEARS’ WARThe battle that occurs during Act IV was a real battle that took place in France in the 1640s - the seige of Arras. This was before the French Revolution officially began.

This battle was a part of the Thirty Years’ War, which began with rebellion in Spain. France got involved along with many other European countries.

The real Cyrano de Bergerac fought in this battle, and so did the real Christian.

The play is very historically accurate and researched, but the historical context is only a backdrop for the story. Historical fiction (?)

PREMISE / OVERVIEWA clever and unusual man named Cyrano de Bergerac is in love with a woman named Roxane (who also happens to be his cousin), but doesn’t believe she could ever love him because of his absurdly large nose.

Cyrano decides to help another (handsome) man woo Roxane in hopes that she will fall in love with him.

Roxane ends up falling for the handsome man because he seems witty, clever, and writes beautiful poetry. In reality, Cyrano is giving him all of the words he needs to win Roxane’s heart.

FILM ADAPTATIONS1950: Cyrano de Bergerac (film), directed by Michael Gordon (most famous)

1959: Aru kengo no sugai (Samurai Saga) – Samurai film directed by Hiroshi Inagaki

1987: Roxanne – film starring Steve Martin, and directed by Fred Schepisi

1990: Cyrano de Bergerac – French film version directed by Jean-Paul Rappeneau

1994: Duet – Indian film version of the play, a musical. Directed by K. Balachander

2008: Cyrano de Bergerac, PBS production

2012: Let it Shine - Disney Channel Original Movie based on the play

Other adaptations can also be found in radio, television, opera, ballet, stories, and music.

WORKS CITED

http://www.imdb.com/find?ref_=nv_sr_fn&q=cyrano+de+bergerac&s=all

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cyrano_de_Bergerac_(play)#Movies_and_other_adaptations

http://www.sparknotes.com/lit/cyrano/context.html

http://www.centerstage.org/cyrano/DigitalDramaturgy/Glimpsesof17thcenturyFrance.aspx