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This test consists of 5 short answer questions, 10 short essay questions, and 1 (of 3) essay topics.

Short Answer Questions

1. What are the players of the Hotel de Bourgogne doing at the end of the first act?

2. What does Cyrano warn the officers at the theatre not to do as the ruffians attack?

3. Where does Ragueneau take his poets to give Cyrano privacy?

4. In his long monologue of Scene 8, Cyrano mentions the name of his editor. Who is it?

5. How does Roxane describe Christian's wit to Cyrano in Scene 1?

Short Essay Questions

1. What plan do Cyrano and Christian hatch by the end of Scene 10?

2. Why does Ragueneau expect Cyrano at the play?

3. Describe the scene at the beginning of the play.

4. How does Roxane prevent Christian's going to battle in Scene 2?

5. What requests does Roxane make of Cyrano before leaving in Scene 3?

6. How does Cyrano react to the loutish Citizen's attack on his nose?

7. How do Cyrano and Christian intend to speak to Roxane at the end of Scene 6?

8. Describe Lise.

9. What furtive disagreement do Christian and Cyrano has at the end of Scene 7?

10. How does Roxane trick the monk in Scene 11?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Throughout the play, Cyrano combines his desire for glory in battle with his desire to create beautiful verses. Write an essay about this unity of combat and rhyme. What does Cyrano do to add an aura of melody to his combat? Who does he take with him? What is the public reaction to this aplomb?

Part 1) Cyrano's duel with Valvert

Part 2) Cyrano's fending off of the 100 ruffians

Part 3) The Gascony Guard's stand against the Spanish at Arras

Essay Topic 2

The Comte de Guiche seems to be a simple villainous presence at the beginning of the play, but he proves to be one of the most dynamic figures of the narrative. Write an essay analyzing the Comte's transformation over the course of the play. What is the root of his villainy? Why does he suddenly change? What hopes and regrets does he express in Act 5?

Essay Topic 3

Write an essay about the relationship between Le Bret and Cyrano. As the protagonist's foil, what information does Le Bret provide the audience at the beginning of the play? Throughout the ensuing four acts, what new information does Le Bret draw? How does Rostand create a relationship that allows this disclosure to occur organically?

(see the answer keys)

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