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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. Who informs Cyrano that Roxane wishes to meet him?

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

3. What does one cadet say Christian will look like after Cyrano is finished with him?

4. What famous historical figure does the Comte de Guiche claim as his uncle?

5. How long does the monk say Cyrano needs to detain the Comte de Guiche?

Short Essay Questions

1. What new sadness has befallen Ragueneau at the beginning of Act 3?

2. Why does Cyrano embrace Christian at the beginning of Scene 10?

3. Why does Ragueneau expect Cyrano at the play?

4. Why does Cyrano consider himself a coward at the end of Scene 3?

5. How does Cyrano explain Christian's uncertain poetry to Roxane?

6. What is the Comte de Guiche's treachery against Ligniere?

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

8. What point does Cyrano make in Scene 8 about patronage of the arts?

9. Describe Lise.

10. Why does Cyrano decide to convince Roxane to kiss Christian?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Cyrano finds solace in writing letters under Christian's name. Write an essay about his ability finally to speak his heart through the more attractive man's voice. How does this come about? What is he able to say, and at what point does he realize he has wooed Roxane and not Christian? Focus on three parts in the script:

Part 1) The balcony scene

Part 2) The letters during the siege

Part 3) Christian's farewell letter

Essay Topic 2

Cyrano de Bergerac is an individualist of the highest order. His sense of honor is self-contained, and he is unwilling to equivocate to appease a crowd. Write an essay about his willingness to make enemies in pursuit of honor:

Part 1) How does Cyrano place himself in conflict with virtually the entire city in the first act of the play? Why does he do this, and what does this say about him?

Part 2) Why does Cyrano turn down de Guiche's offer of patronage for his verses? What is the crux of his argument after the Comte storms out?

Part 3) Describe Cyrano's station in life at the end of the play? How is he regarded by both his friends and Paris as a whole? What is Rostand saying about the play of the good man in society?

Essay Topic 3

Throughout the play, Rostand uses caricatures of certain character types to create a sense of society at large. Write an essay about these caricatures - focusing on three - and what effect they create. What are they mocking? How do they create the impression of a status quo? How do major characters interact with them, and why?

Part 1) Monfleury

Part 2) The poets of Ragueneau's shop

Part 3) The sisters of the convent

(see the answer keys)

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