1. Savannah Block
Pre-College English
Cyrano Reflection
March 06, 2009
Cyrano de Bergerac Reflection
My group's scene portrayal in Rostand's Cyrano de Bergerac describes the intense feelings the play's
"heroine," Roxane possesses for who she "loves." Throughout the play, Madeline Robin is lead astray,
believing a cadet, Christian, is the man responsible for stealing her heart with his words. However, this
is not the case, for the man truly writing all of these letters is Cyrano, a man with an interestingly large
nose. My intent is to imitate Roxane, to show my audience the deep love Roxane carries for Christian
(or more appropriately, Cyrano's letters).
Taking place in Act IV, Madeline Robin unexpectedly shows up close to Christian and Cyrano's war
battle. In my opinion, Roxane is very sunny, delighted to see the one she loves so dear again. Her
attitude is in complete contrast to those that she greets. Cyrano, de Guiche, Christian, Carbon, and
some cadets all inquire her ability to find where they camped. I hope to voice her with an incredulous
aura while Roxane describes how she arrived. "Oh! But I saw such things," the quote shows, although
she is telling of how she went through enemy lines, Roxane is not understanding the severity of the
fight (145). I believe Roxane, without true knowledge of life out on the battlefield, is taking the
situation too lightly. Through my portrayal, I hope to instill this lackadaisical mindset through
widening my eyes and my attempts to excite those that are prepared to die fighting this war. Hand in
hand with this laid-back temperament, Roxane seems to resemble a comedic character. While reading
in class, I thought Madeline Robin was mentally ill because she was so adamant about staying and
possibly dying in battle, and how she continually tells the group that she is indeed staying struck me as
humorous. Juxtaposition arises when de Guiche tells her to leave and Roxane asks, "Oh-you wish to
make a widow of me?" (146). Madeline Robin is obviously angry and frustrated, being told to leave
the area (or leave her lover). Although Roxane is a deep character showcasing a variety of emotions, I
believe I will be able to effectively interpret the scene through my depiction of such a woman.