Cyrano de Bergerac By Edmond Rostand Born 1868

Cyrano de Bergerac By Edmond Rostand

�Born 1868 in France �Born to artistic family ◦ Father was a poet and professor ◦ Uncle was a composer �Spent childhood in Marseilles �Brilliant student; studied law in Paris ◦ Never practiced law ◦ Real love was literature Meet Edmond Rostand

�Rostand’s early works feature poetic sentiments and noble ideas �April 1896 Rostand began working on what is considered his masterpiece— Cyrano de Bergerac �Cyrano was very different from popular mainstream plays of the time �In 1900 Rostand produced second-best work—The Eaglet Meet Edmond Rostand Cont. ’d

�After The Eaglet Rostand’s health deteriorated �Moved to southern France seeking more healthful climate �Received Legion of Honor (award for cultural achievement) �Supported French effort in WWI and visited the trenches which shocked him greatly �Died six weeks after WWI ended at age 50 Meet Edmond Rostand Cont. ’d

� During rehearsal of the play fall of 1897, mood was grim � Rumors were the play was highly artificial (a form that was popular 100 yrs. earlier) � Last years of 19 th century industrialization taking place � Realism becoming popular ◦ Emphasizes objective documentation of everyday life, working-class life—rejects idealization or glamor (Cyrano de Bergerac is the epitome of this) � Realism developed into naturalism ◦ Same goals as realism but also stresses the governing of human life by natural laws ◦ People argued that theater should explain scientific laws of human behavior Introducing the Play

�Play about romantic heroes, beautiful maidens, sword fights, etc. �Directors of theater who accepted the play regretted their decision and cut funding �When curtain rose on Cyrano de Bergerac for first time on Dec. 28 1897, expectations low �However, audiences pleasantly surprised �Theatergoers cheered, sighed, laughed, cried, and applauded an hour after the curtain fell �Was one of the century's greatest smash hits Introducing the Play Cont. ’d

�Many critics attributed play’s tremendous success to its romanticism ◦ Emphasis on idealism or heroism �Readers and viewers able to recognize aspects of universal human condition �Also popular because cleverness of writing �Cyrano known and loved most of all for his panache (flair, individual sense of style, verve, or pizzazz) Introducing the Play Cont. ’d

� Play set in France during 1640 -1655 � France fraught with political tension and conflict with foreign enemies � Majority of play takes place in 1640 when Louis XIII sat on throne and Armand-Jean du Plessis Richelieu (Roman Catholic cardinal) dominated political landscape � Richelieu’s goals were to strengthen French monarchy and make France most powerful nation in Europe � He led France in Thirty Years’ War (1618 -1648) � Key battle French siege of town of Arras—the setting for a scene in the play Background of the Play

� Hero in play based on real-life person � Real Cyrano born 1619 and from Paris � Castle owned by his father was called Bergerac � Cyrano had beautiful and intelligent cousin, Madeleine Robineau, who was married to Count de Neuvillette—helped Cyrano become member of high society � Well known for dueling skills and inordinately long nose � Coached comrades on how to speak and write effectively, especially on matters of love � An accident took his life when he was 36 Background of the Play Cont. ’d