8/14/2019 Cyrano de Bergera- Revision Reading Log

1/2

Moyer Eamon BarkhordarianPeriod C 9/29/09English World Culture

Revision Reading Log

For many reasons, in my eyes the conclusion to Cyrano de Bergerac is considered a mix

of a disappointing ending and a pleasing one. Act 5 takes place 15 years after the previous acts,

and a lot has changed. Cyrano has grown older, Roxane has come to live with the nuns to mourn

the death of her husband, and de Guiche has come to respect Cyrano. Unfortunately while

walking one time, a lackey accidentally drops a log of wood on Cyranos head. Cyrano

becomes weak and pale from the pain.

Personally I believe this act was done on purpose, and someone hired the lackey to do the

job of killing Cyrano, since he has made enemies over the years. Regardless of his pain, Cyrano

forces himself to go to Roxane. They discuss many things including Cyranos wound, and the

topic of Christians last letter came up. Cyrano asked to read it, and regardless of it being too

dark to read, Cyrano continues the poem as if it was as bright as day. Roxane slowly catches on

that Cyrano had been the one writing the letters all along, and although in denial for a long time,

Roxane convinces Cyrano to admit the truth. Then, Cyrano falls asleep, never to be awaken

again.

Second PoetDead men all scarred and gory, scattered on the stones, villainous- looking scoundrels-eight of

them.

Cyrano

(Looks up an instant)

Eight? I thought only seven-

Ragueneau

Do you know the hero of this hecatomb?

Cyrano

I?.....No.

8/14/2019 Cyrano de Bergera- Revision Reading Log

2/2

Moyer Eamon BarkhordarianPeriod C 9/29/09English World Culture

-Act 2

The reason why I believe this ending was a little corny and inconsistent is because

throughout the book, the reader is convinced into thinking Cyrano is this unstoppable man. He

would sing poetry on the spot and fight a man at the same time, he survived a whole war, and he

even took on a hundred men and won. So to think that a log that was accidently dropped could

possibly kill Cyrano just made it seem too inconsistent for me. As well, given its a French play

it was also banal that Cyrano would die, so there wasnt much surprise at the end of the play.

Roxane(Lays her hand on his shoulder.)

How can you read now? It Is dark

(He starts, turns, and sees her there close to him. A little movement of surprise, almost of fear;then he bows his head.

A long pause; then in the twilight now completely a long pause; then in the twilight nowcompletely fallen, she says very softly, clasping her hands)

And all these fourteen years He has been the old friend who came to me to be amusing.

CyranoRoxane!

RoxaneIt was you.

CyranoNo, no, Roxane, no!

At the same time though, I believe the play ended very pleasingly. Cyrano slowly dies yet

forces himself to see Roxane regardless of his condition. Before he dies, he sees the women he

has loved his entire life fall in love with him. The hero dies accomplishing his one goal of being

loved, even if not for his beauty, but for his poetry. As well, for once, Roxane acts somewhat

intelligently for catching on to the fact Cyrano had been the one writing the letters, not Christian.

This made the play seem at least a little more realistic, for I could not imagine Roxane go

through life so cluelessly not even realizing her true love was right in front of her all along.