Alex Weiss

1. Why has Christian come to the play? What concern does he express to Ligniere?-Christian comes to the play to see the woman hes fallen in love with whos known as Roxanne. Hes concerned that he wont know what to say to her and about whether shes intellectual or not.

2. Prior to his entry, what do learn from the others about Cyrano's appearance and personality?-We learn that he is the most delightful man under the sun, has a long and imposing nose, he is a poet, swordsman, scientist, musician, wild swashbuckler, and a formidable figure.

3. What does Cyrano confide to LeBret after the crowd goes home? Why did he close the play?-He confides to LeBret because he has insecurities about his nose and romantic failures. He closed the play because he thinks monfluery is a bad actor and the play is wretched.

4. How does the duenna's visit change his mood?-It changes his mood because Roxanne wants to see him at seven in the morning at Ragueneaus shop.

5. What favor of Cyrano does Ligniere request? How does he respond?-He requests that Cyrano hosts him for the evening. He responds by saying he will fight all the men after him and escort him home.

6. What does the fact that Cyrano gives away his entire income show about him?-It shoes that he likes to help people, he will stand up for what he believes in, and he doesnt make very much money.

7. By the end of Act I, Cyrano has revealed much of his character through his actions. Describe him carefully by relating his actions so far. What do you think of him?-He is a flamboyant, intraverse, and a renascence man. He tells the crowd his opinion, he has a duel, he shows off and is a people person, and everyone says he is many things like a poet, scientist, etc.

8. One of the main characteristics of this play is the witty exchanges of dialogue between Cyrano and the other characters. Choose 3 examples of his verbal attacks and explain how he "scored points" by using puns, exaggeration, and understatement.-In the duel he does this. The following examples score points because he exclaims better insults which prove that he is smarter verbally than the meddler. He says When it blows, the typhoon howls, and the clouds darken, Somebody fetch my parasoul-Those delicate colors fade so into the sun, and What is that receptacle-A razor-case or a portfolio.

Act II

9. Briefly summerize Cyrano's conversation with Roxanne in the beginning of Act II. What news does she give him and what promises does he make?-She tells him that she is glad that he killed Valvert who she is being forced to marry and they reminisce about there childhoods. She gives him the news that she is in love with someone. He promises to befriend, protect, and have Christian write to her.

10. Describe De Guiche's offer to Cyrano. What is Cyrano's response?-De guiches offer to Cyrano is to become his patron. He refuses and is offended by the thought.

11. What does Christian do to prove himself to the Cadet's?-Christian proves himself to the cadets by making fun of Cyranos nose during the story of his battle.

12. Cyrano tells Roxanne "I've done better since" after relating the triumph over the "100" men the night before. What did he mean by the statement?-He has overcome bigger obstacles.

13. Describe De Guiche's attitude towards other people.-He doesnt like people who are outside the social class that he is in.

14. Describe the agreement between Christian and Cyrano. What might Cyrano hope to get from it?-Cyrano agrees to help Christian write letters to Roxanne since he is almost like a brother to her. He hopes to get entertainment from it and probably secretly Roxannes affection.

15. Many of you identify with either Cyrano or Roxanne in this scene. You have been either the unrecognized lover or the girl who wants a "friend" to help her with a boy she likes. Write about either your own experience or that of someone you know.-I have been an unrecognized lover before. 

Cyrano study guide act 3 and 4

1. In the beginning of Act III, what does Roxanne tell Cyrano about Christian and his letters?-Roxanne tells Cyrano that she is impressed with his writing ability which she sees in the letters. She also tells him that Christians poetic soul is as beautiful as his face.

2. Explain the circumstances that lead to Cyrano's speech under the balcony to Roxanne.-Christian is confident that he can verbally tell Roxanne his love for her. He ends up being nervous and messing the words up. After begging Cyrano eventually comes up with an idea. The musicians play and Christine takes Roxanne into the shadows which lead to Cyranos speech under the balcony.

3. During the balcony speech what does Cyrano tell Roxanne about his feelings for her?-Cyrano tells Roxanne that he is obsessed over her and everything pales next to love.

4. Explain how Roxanne arranges for her marriage to Christain.-She pretends not be fearful for Christian and she proposes to De Guiche on how to get revenge on Cyrano.

5. What does Cyrano do to delay DeGuiche, and what does DeGuiche do to retaliate?-Cyrano falls by him and blocks his way. He does this by masking himself, making small talk, tells him that he fell from the moon, telling him about visiting and being attacked by constellations, telling him about inventions he has invented. De Guiche retaliates by telling Christian that he must go to the royal guard immediately depriving him of his honeymoon.

6. Describe Cyrano's mixed feelings when he speaks to Roxanne unseen.-He for the most part feels love for her.

7. Explain how Cyrano's speech to Roxanne and his deception of DeGuiche each represents a triumph over physical reality.-He knows that Roxannes heart is set for someone else but he delivers the speech as though it was set for him. He knows De Guiche knows what he looks like physically so he disguises himself which represents triumph over a physical reality.   

8. An idealist is someone who follows his or her beliefs beyond the point of practicality and who acts as if the world were better than it really is. From what you have seen of Cyrano so far, show how he is an idealist.-He strongly follows his beliefs. He is an idealist because he thinks his nose is magnificent and he defends that belief. He also stops the play even though its better according to other people.

9. Do you think a love like Cyrano's is actually greater than a love like Christain's? Why or why not?-I think it is greater. He has liked her longer than Christian and his love is bottled up inside him. Unlike Christian who hasnt known her as long.

10. In the balcony scene the tone shifts abruptly with Cyrano's words "Let me enjoy/the one moment I ever--" Describe the change in TONE. What other side of Cyrano is now revealed? Does this change the way you feel about him?-It goes from love to passion. The passionate side of Cyrano is revealed. It doesnt change the way I feel about it.

11. Why Does Cyrano, speaking as Christian, refuses to recite poetry to reveal his feelings to Roxanne?-He is afraid that he will reveal his feelings and himself for real.

Act 4 

12. What mission does Cyrano undertake each morning at Arras?-The mission that Cyrano undertakes at Arras is to deliver love letters under Christians name to Roxanne.

13. How does Roxanne explain the reason for her visit to the camp to Christian? According to her, how and why has her love for him changed?-The reason why she is visiting the camp is to die as long as its alongside her husband. There love has changed according to her because she seen inside his soul.

14. How does Christian feel about Roxanne's declaration? What does he ask Cyrano to do?-He feels heartbroken because he knows she loves the true author of the letters. He asks Cyrano to tell her the truth so she can decide who she loves.

15. What event prevents Cyrano from fulfilling Christians request? What does Cyrano tell Christian about Roxanne's love?-The event that prevents it is Christians death. He tells him that she would love him even if he was ugly.

16. What new dimensions does Roxanne reveal in her conversations with Christian? What does she fail to see?-She loves his letters. She fails to see that she really loves Cyrano.

17. What discoveries about Roxanne and Cyrano does Christian make in this act?-He discoveries that Cyrano has been risking life while delivering the letters and he discoveries that she really unknowingly likes Cyrano.

18. Why does Cyrano not tell Roxanne the truth about the letters? Why does he not tell Christian the truth about Roxanne?-He thinks his lack of wit means he shouldnt be loved. He doesnt want to hurt Christian.

19. Do you agree with Christian when he says that it is really Cyrano whom Roxanne loves? Explain. Yes I do since she knows Cyrano better and Cyrano is the real author of the letters.

20. How do you think Roxanne would have responded if Cyrano had been able to tell her the truth about the letters and his feelings for her?-She would have been mad. However I think she would be impressed by his writing abilities and realize that he is the one she has truly been in love with.

Act V study guide questions 

1. Where does Act V take place?-Act V takes place in a convent out side of the French capital Paris.

2. How often, and for how long, has Cyrano come to visit Roxanne?-Cyrano visits Roxanne every Saturday until dark.

3. How does Cyrano tease Sister Marthe? What is really going on?-He says he eats red meat and in reality he is malnourished.

4. Why does DeGuiche tell LeBret not to pity Cyrano?-He tells LeBret that Cyrano is a man who lived without compromise and by that he means he has a fulfilling life. He also means that Cyrano lived on the edge and lived life to the fullest.

5. What "accident" befalls Cyrano?-The accident that befalls him is someone attempts to murder him by trying to drop a log on him.

6. Cyrano tells Roxanne he was "detained by an unexpected visitor." Explain this remark.-He means he was detained by death who he had an encounter with him.

7. What request does Cyrano make of Roxanne?-Cyrano requests is to read Christians last letter before his death.

8. How does Roxanne discover (finally!) that Cyrano is the true lover?-She realizes that he is devoted to her and through Cyranos reading of Christians final letter.

9. How does Cyrano, as a cadet of Gascoyne, go to meet his death?-He meets his death by being cruelly murdered an hour before dinner.

10. What is Cyrano's unique symbol for his unstained soul?-His unstained soul is symbolized by a white flume.