I read the books by the real Cyrano de Bergerac before knowing about Edmond Rostand's play (it's usually the case in Literature classes that you start studying from the old days on to modern days). The real guy lived from 1619 to 1655 and he was a rebel. He hated the writers who published whatever would please the nobleman à la mode. In order to control him, Richelieu offered him to be his sponsor, so he would not be able to broadcast his thoughts. Cyrano did not accept and he kept writing whatever was in his mind, which of course brought upon him persecussion, and ostracism. In fact, his life is extremely interesting; the political issues at stake are very much alive still today. He's satirical and caustic. I had much fun reading his "Les états et empires de la lune et du soleil" where he criticizes the monarchy from a common sense point of view. Highly skillful! Very talented!
Edmond Rostand imagined a love story around his controverted personality and inspired on the only surviving portrait of Cyrano, where he's depicted having a disproportionate nose!
Since the first time I read the play and saw the movie (Cyrano played by Gérard Dépardieu), the story became my all time favorite, I can watch the movie a hundred times and come back to the book a thousand and never get bored. It's such a fascinating story of unrequited love, self pride, honor, integrity and courage (which Cyrano calls, "mon panache"). The spectator feels automatically identified with the character because, who can say that hasn't had the experience of having loved without being loved in return? Who hasn't missed the love of the lifetime because he or she loved someone else?
I learned that the Mary Moody Theatre at St. Edwards University is showing the play in English this month of February and I can't miss it. I've been a Cyrano all my life, I have Cyrano's syndrome, I am a Cyrano de Bergerac. Like him, I always find ways to show off my courage, my strength, when in reality, my ugly nose makes me cry in front of my real friends. But I still hope that one day, someone will change the story, make Roxane cleverer... and bring comfort to Cyrano.
