When choosing between two paths, either of which will bring death and defeat, one should choose the path wherein he or she die fighting for honor and justice. This thematic element evolves in Edmond Rostand’s Cyrano de Bergerac which sets in 17th century France. Cyrano, a chivalric man who is willing to battle for a noble cause, is the epitome of this theme as shown in his relationships with other characters. However, one of Cyrano’s flaws is his nose, which hinders him from openly loving Roxane, his beautiful cousin, who is in love with Christian De Neuuvillette, a Gascon guard in Cyrano’s military unit. Cyrano’s companions see him as lordly and inspiring as he lives his life to the fullest with pride and dignity. Even Comte De Guiche, a Count who desires Roxane to be his mistress, respects Cyrano and his noble spirit. Cyrano’s thoughts, feelings, and actions are all influenced by his code of honor and sense of self-respect. Thus, Cyrano’s expectations of honor in himself, his love for Roxane, and in others play a crucial role in his life and create his identity as a respectable character.
Cyrano’s philosophy toward himself forms the foundation of his life. This character’s nobility is evident in his admirable outlook on life and the true value of life. Through his proclamation that a man should have the freedom to do as he pleases without having someone dictate his actions, Cyrano displays a strong faith in every person’s free will and individuality. Cyrano’s ability to express himself freely, “to cock [his] hat / Where [he chooses],” “to fight,” “to sing, to laugh, the century French society, Cyrano sees clothing as a superficial disguise that presents no knowledge about the heart and mind of the individual. Anyone can “dress up like a popinjay,” but a strong personality and excellent qualities are what determine the true nobleman (Rostand 37). Cyrano declares that one should “carry [his] adornments on [his] soul” (Rostand 37) and have a name “with deeds for decorations” (Rostand 38), instead of mere articles of clothing. He views the heart and spirit of individuals as the only credible indicators of their character, for true nobles do not need to wear worthless “ribbons…and buckles on their shoes” to appear magnanimous (Rostand 37). He also notes that those who are judged by their poor dress may “go caparisoned in gems unseen” (Rostand 38). Cyrano is the archetype of the struggle against society’s evils and the strive for ideal values. Besides his views concerning the true beauty of the individual, Cyrano’s esteem is present in his views about his own personal appearance. Although many would be ashamed of bearing a feature such as an oversized nose, Cyrano sees his most prominent external characteristic as a symbol of greatness. Cyrano reveals his dignity and pride in what he has been given by nature through this proclamation. Cyrano “[has] glory in this nose of [his]” and believes that it proves him to be “virile
Cyrano’s ethics are worthless if he fails to transform them into actions. Cyrano’s decisions revolve around self-respect, appearing in the idea of one’s status in life. When Cyrano refuses Cardinal Richelieu’s offer to be a patron, Cyrano expresses his dignity in the fact that he rejects the option of being lower in life than another human being. Cyrano sees those who have patrons as inferior parasites who are similar to chess pieces controlled by a more eminent or powerful figure who determines their position in the game of life. Cyrano, however, would never allow himself a patron since his sense of dignity is so firm. “[Seeking] introductions, favors, [or] influences” from those who are rich or famous would be a dishonorable act against his code of self-righteousness (Rostand 89). Cyrano would never allow himself to become a “creeping vine on a tall tree”, since such an act would make him powerless and dependent (Rostand 88). He is “too proud to be a parasite” and believes that people in society should achieve their status honorably based on their own actions (Rostand 89). Only those who achieve their positions in life through their own deeds reap the benefits of their nobility. In addition to his dignity, Cyrano also reveals his lofty qualities when those whom he holds dearly are in peril. By defending Ligniere and agreeing to fight a hundred men for his friend, Cyrano stays true to his friendship and seeks to protect his friend’s name. Since he is willing to endanger his own well being for Ligniere, it is clear that Cyrano values his life and his friendships equally. Instead of dishonoring his friendship and letting Ligniere fight his own battle, Cyrano takes over as Ligniere’s protector.
Moreover, since Cyrano always expects things to be done honorably and righteously, an attack by an army that is sent out to hunt down “one poor poet” whose crime was simply speaking his mind would be unjust (Rostand 54). Cyrano cannot bear to watch another man’s honor challenged and especially one who Cyrano considers to be noble and honest. In this situation, Cyrano sees it as his duty to look after his friend’s well being, an act that not many would take upon themselves. Cyrano’s immediate response that he will “be the man…that sees [Ligniere] home” is distinct evidence of his strong morals since he spoke “in a voice of thunder” without hesitation as he began his march to find the hundred-men army (Rostand 53). Cyrano’s honor is woven into his companionships and creates his image as a priceless friend. Also, Cyrano’s loftiness is revealed through his behavior and attitude toward death By refusing to die lying down or without holding his sword, Cyrano illustrates how his honor is keeping him alive and strong. Cyrano does not want to lie down when he meets his death because it is a sign of weakness and a sign of a fragile man who is willing to accept death. However, Cyrano is the opposite; his strength stems from his honor and pride in himself. He knows that by lying down to meet his death he would embarrass and disgrace his spirit. Cyrano wants death to “find [him] on [his] feet” (Rostand 226) standing tall and proud in the life where “[he] has clung to his principles. Moreover, Cyrano’s sword has always been a symbol of his struggles for good causes, so his need to hold on to his sword to fight off death really depicts a man who is battling his fate with dignity and is fighting for his own good cause, his life. Cyrano wants to stand strong and tall even when he is the weakest that he has ever been. Cyrano wants to die nobly, and “[lets] no one help [him]” (Rostand 226). The presence of honor and dignity in Cyrano’s soul is so powerful that it drives him at all times and remains as a part of his identity even at death.
While his nobility drives his actions, Cyrano’s honor is also closely intertwined with the place of love in his life. His actions toward his love for Roxane exhibit pure loftiness. Cyrano makes a noble sacrifice to satisfy Roxane’s love for another man and defies his personal interests when he helps Christian woo her by providing poetry and the language of love. Although Roxane’s affection is directed at Christian, Cyrano believes that he should renounce his own emotions to satisfy Roxane’s feelings for Christian. Cyrano’s decision to entrust Christian with the noble “soul within [the] leathern jack of [his]” that bears many qualities that Christian lacks is an honorable act that would help please Roxane, who is searching for an attractive and poetic man to love (Rostand 100). But even though Cyrano may not directly reap the benefits of Roxane’s love, his soul is content with the good that he has done by putting his gift of poetry and his emotions to a noble use. In addition to sacrificing for a noble cause, Cyrano also exhibits his chivalric qualities in his love for Roxane through his compliance to what he promises. When Cyrano delivers a letter to Roxane trough enemy lines every morning, he risks his life to keep a pledge that he has made. Cyrano’s word is an aspect of his code of honor, and he knows that he must keep the promises that he is able to deliver. Roxane had entrusted Cyrano with a duty, and Cyrano sees the failure to fulfill that duty as a dishonorable disgrace to his name. Whenever someone challenges his habit of “risk[ing] [his] life every morning before breakfast / To send a letter,” Cyrano stands by his honor and the task that “[he] promised” he would complete (Rostand 151).
Not many people go to the extremes that Cyrano has to complete their promises. Cyrano’s nobility is rooted in these sacrifices that he makes for what he pledges to do, increasing the value of his word. Furthermore, Cyrano’s nobility is evident in his commitment to pleasing Roxane. When Cyrano visits Roxane every Saturday at the convent for fourteen years, he exhibits his mission bring joy to Roxane. At the convent, Cyrano “makes [Roxane] almost laugh…and he pleases everyone”, presenting a noble soul that is interested in pleasing the love of his life (Rostand 203). Although he could be in other places occupying himself with things of greater importance, Cyrano instead sacrifices his time to entertain and to keep company a mourning Roxane. His devotion in doing so for such a length of time indicates his nobility and mission of pure love to satisfy a woman who does not know about his adoration for her. Even though Roxane does not love him at the time, Cyrano still profits from the joy that he sees in Roxane’s eyes. Cyrano’s objective of putting a smile upon Roxane’s face is proof of his lofty soul. All aspects of Cyrano’s love for Roxane are driven by his honor and his noble character.
In addition to his values concerning Roxane love, Cyrano’s nobleness creates his expectations of honor in others as well. His honor is evident in the respectful way he expects others to behave. By scorning Lise, Ragueeneau’s wife, for cheating on her husband, Cyrano unleashes his anger on a woman who has disgraced and dishonored his friend with her actions. Cyrano is disgusted by the lack of respect that he witnesses from Lise and her disregard for her husband’s feelings. Cyrano “”allows no one…to take [his friend’s] name in vain” (Rostand 69), and is outraged by Lise’s insensitivity to the good soul. Cyrano cannot bear to see people break the code of honor that he sees as crucial to life. Cyrano sees dignity and respect as important assets to a person, and is disgusted by those who selfishly act on their own interests. Lise is the complete opposite of Cyrano in her behavior, and her unjust actions violate the core of the code of honor. Cyrano is sickened by Lise because his standards for people are based on respect and dignity, aspects which are absent from Lise’s soul. Moreover, Cyrano’s lofty essence is evident in the way he expects others to approach life. Convincing the cadets not to worry about hunger on the battlefield and instead think of home, Cyrano proves that the nobility of a man stems partly from the idea that physical suffering is insignificant when compared to the more noble mental and emotional suffering. Cyrano believes that this is the noble way to handle an obstacle like hunger and the situation in which the cadets find themselves in. He sees the cadets’ hunger for home as “more noble than the hunger of the flesh”, an aspect of the human psyche that in his mind is insignificant (Rostand 157). Cyrano believes that one should not always be concerned about his or her personal needs, such as the body’s desire for food, but instead consider the greater meaning in life and the needs of the mind, such as the desire for home. Cyrano sees that only when one ignores his or her own insignificant hungers and needs he or she shall feel the “iron in [the] blood” and see the nobleness in doing so (Rostand 158).
Also, Cyrano’s honor comes into play in his expectations for those who have the chance to perform honorable deeds. When Cyrano ridicules Count De Guiche for throwing away the white scarf of rank during battle, he exhibits his disgust with people who fail to act on a noble task with pride and dignity. Cyrano sees “the privilege / Of being a target” as a noble opportunity, one of courage and pride (Rostand 161). He sees De Guiche’s action as a failure to accept responsibility and a failure in carrying on the honor and pride of the army. If Cyrano was given the same opportunity as De Guiche, he would “lead the first charge, with [the] scarf / Over [his] shoulder” with dignity and satisfaction for a chance to exhibit his own nobility in addition to the loftiness of his men (Rostand 162). The white scarf of rank is a symbol of the pride of the French army and the nobility of its leaders. Cyrano sees the chance to bear such a symbol of pride as one of the greatest honors in one’s life. His ridicule of a man who “flung away / His white plume” of dignity, respect, pride, and morals as a violation of the code of honor. Cyrano’s expectations of honor in others illustrate his own nobleness and the quality of his life as a result of his code.
Cyrano’s code of honor establishes his status as an admirable human being and serves as the basis of his life. Cyrano sees the world with honor and dignity on his mind, seeking the best for all and nothing but pride for himself. All of the aspects of Cyrano’s life are driven by pure and genuine nobility to make the lives of others better. Cyrano is enlightened by his philosophy and transforms those thoughts into action with the hope of spreading his ideology. Cyrano is the one who reaps the benefits of all aspects of his nobility, as he is engulfed with satisfaction when he examines his deeds. Such gratification and such a central role of honor lead to the conclusion that in the complicated pathways of life, one must choose the way that would bring honor and pride, even if that road is a dark one that may bring failure. This concept of honor and its value in one’s life apply to today’s world, appearing in domains such as modern politics. For example, in the 2005 Presidential Election, as the results of the election were announced and the incumbent President George Bush was declared the winner, the Democratic candidate John Kerry stepped down without arguing the outcome. Although John Kerry could have requested a recount of the votes and although his supporters raged against the results of the election, he instead congratulated the winner and retreated with a final request that the country’s people unite as one. The honor of this action is clear in this setting, since John Kerry saw the well being of the nation as more important than his personal interests. By accepting the President’s victory, John Kerry assisted in a higher cause, the effort to unite the people under the title of “Americans” despite their Democratic or Republican differences. Overall, honor is the core of the noble spirit, and the noble spirit is the one that profits from a true, meaningful life.
Sources:
Edmond Rostand, “Cyrano de Bergerac.” Bantam Classics.
