Summary:
Describes how the character Cyrano de Bergerac is a tragic hero in the novel, Cyrano de Bergerac, by Edmond Rostand. Reviews Cyrano's tragic flaws, admirable traits, his downfall, and other traits which characterize tragic heroes.
Cyrano de Bergerac, by Edmond Rostand,is the story of Cyrano de Bergerac, a poet and an excellent swordsman who tries to gain the love of his cousin, Roxane. Cyrano is a tragic hero. To be considered a tragic hero, a character must have arouse pity from the audience, have a downfall, and posses admirable traits. Cyrano accomplishes all of these, making him a tragic hero.
Admirable traits and characteristics such as loyalty, bravery, and honor are all common within tragic heroes. Cyrano is very proud. He refuses any form of help or aid. This is seen when Sister Marthe asks Mother Marguerite why no one helped Cyrano financially. Mother Marguerite responds, "He would be angry: very angry....."(175). Cyrano's loyalty is shown when he fought one hundred men in order to protect his friend, Ragueneau. Cyrano's loyalty is demonstrated again by his keeping his promises to Roxane. Roxane made him promise to keep Christian safe and to make him write her daily. Cyrano kept these promises even
though Christian is his rival in a way. Cyrano had many characteristics necessary to be considered a tragic hero.
Many of Cyrano's characteristics, such as his honor, are also the source of his greatest weaknesses. These weaknesses lead to a downfall, which a character must have to be considered a tragic hero. Cyrano's pride causes much trouble for him. An example of Cyrano's pride hurting him is when he throws away all of
his gold to the audience of the theater. Le Bret confronts him about this act, stating, "What a fool!(37)" Cyrano responds, "But what a gesture!"(37) His independence and pride are the reasons why he has so many enemies. His many enemies create one of his biggest downfalls, his death.
Arousing pity from the audience is necessary for a character to be considered a tragic hero. The audience pities Cyrano many times throughout the play. He is pitied many times because of his large nose. For example, when Cyrano confesses his love for Roxane to Le Bret, Le Bret tries to convince Cyrano to express his feelings to Roxane. Cyrano replies, "Through my nose? She might laugh at me: That is the one thing in the world I fear"(42). The audience pities Cyrano's inability to tell Roxane he loves her because his nose is far too large and because he is not physically attractive. A second example of Cyrano arousing pity from the audience is when he is dying. Cyrano is eventually killed by a
surprise attack, unlike the glorious death he had hoped for. He expresses his frustration saying, "Too logical- I have missed everything, even my death.(191) "This quotation arouses pity because Cyrano is saying he has missedeverything he has wanted, especially his love for Roxane, and he is now going to die in a non glorious fashion.
In conclusion, Cyrano de Bergerac has all of the characteristics required to be a tragic hero. He arouses pity from the audience, possesses admirable traits and characteristics, and has a downfall. Cyrano de Bergerac is a tragic hero.
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