Cyrano de Bergerac Principles Quotes

How we cite our quotes: (Act.Line)

Quote #13

CHRISTIAN (faintly)
Roxane!...
CYRANO (low and quick, in Christian’s ear, while ROXANE is dipping into the water a strip of linen torn from her dress.)
I have told her; she loves you.
(CHRISTIAN closes his eyes.) (IV.524)

When he sees Christian dying, Cyrano makes his decision; though he honors truth as one of his highest morals, he still lies to Christian and maintains Roxane’s illusion. The question is whether he does this for a dying man’s honor or for the happiness of the woman he loves.

Quote #14

MOTHER MARGUÉRITE
He [Cyrano] is poor;
Very poor.
SISTER MARTHE
Who said so?
MOTHER MARGUÉRITE
Monsieur Le Bret.
SISTER MARTHE
Why does not someone help him?
MOTHER MARGUÉRITE
He would be
Angry; very angry… (V.32-34)

Cyrano’s pride will not allow him to accept money from anyone. As in everything he does, Cyrano wants everything he earns or loses to be solely the product of his own effort.

Quote #15

DE GUICHE
And you [Roxane] remain here, wasting all that gold—
For ever in mourning? (V.39-40)

De Guiche’s material concern is petty when compared with Roxane’s undying love for Christian.