Name: ______
Period: ______
Cyrano de Bergerac
Study Guide – Act I
Answer the following questions in complete sentences. This work is to be done individually and will be turned in at the completion of the Act.
A Performance at the Hotel de Buorgogne
ACTIVE READING
(1) Christian’s Fear (page 19) “I am afraid she might be coquettish and refined…”
This passage provides an excellent direct characterization of Christian. How does he describe himself?
(2) Comte (Count) de Guiche (page 24) “That, my friend, is Count de Guiche…”
What, according to Lignière, is Counte de Guiche’s relationship to Roxane? How does he describe the Comte?
What has Lignière recently done that might make Comte de Guiche angry?
(3) Christian and Roxane have a “moment” (page 25)
What do you think is happening during the moment that Christian and Roxane look at each other?
Name: ______
Period: ______
(4) Which comes first? (page 28) “Yes, I’ll go!”
Christian learns from a pickpocket that someone plans to send 100 men to ambush Lignière as punishment for an offensive song he wrote. Why is Christian uncertain about leaving to help his friend, and what does he finally decide?
(5) The Ballade Brawl (pages 40-45)
The Viscount thinks he has sufficiently insulted Cyrano when he exclaims, “Your nose is… rather large!” Why do you think Cyrano decides to compose a ballade as he clashes swords with the Viscount to get his revenge?
(6) Cyrano’s plan (pages 49) “I have been wandering—“
After Le Bret warns Cyrano against living so brashly, he asks Cyrano what he plans to do with his life. What is Cyrano’s response?
Name: ______
Period: ______
(7) Words Unsaid (page 49)
What is the real reason why Cyrano hates the actor Montfleury (besides the fact that he can’t act)? Note that he never truly says it, so you’ll have to read between the lines.
Why hasn’t Cyrano confessed his true feelings to Roxane yet (page 48-49)?
(8) Cyrano to the Rescue (pages 55-57)
What does Cyrano plan to do when he learns that Lignière is being ambushed by 100 men?
Why does he claim that they must be sending a hundred swords against one man?
What do you think Cyrano is so energized? See the speech beginning with “I… I am going to be a storm—a flame—” on page 57.
THE ART OF INSULT
When Valvert insults Cyrano’s nose (rather poorly, one might add), Cyrano responds with a lengthy lesson on how one might properly insult his nose in a variety of different tones (such as Aggressive, Friendly, Descriptive, etc). Read through his monologue on pages 38-39. Choose FOUR (4) of these different styles and compose insults of your own that match them (they can be any kind of insults—not necessarily about a nose).