By Michelle Berger
In Edmond Rostand”s play Cyrano De Bergerac, the hero of the story gives an interesting response when asked why he never compromises where he stands with others.
He said, “I watch others going about everywhere making friends, the way a dog makes friends. I sneer at these canine courtesies and say to myself: thank God, here comes another enemy.” In the story, Cyrano is a well-known lieutenant in the French military as well as a columnist for the Parisian Gazette. He is notorious for continuously writing comedic pieces about the corruption in the government, the pomposity of the supposed learned professors in the education system and the hypocrisy of many religious leaders. As such, he is also one of the most hated, feared and respected men in all of France, with many powerful people threatening to do harm to him if he will not resign from writing such opinions in the paper.
Cyrano however, simply laughs at their ridiculous attempts to silence him and points out that they are either fearful that the rest of the world will know the truth and see them for what they really are, or completely na?ve to the truth, despite the fact that it”s staring them right in the face. At one point in the play Cyrano”s best friend tells him that he should not have antagonized the Count De”Giche the Cardinal”s nephew, “There”s power there,” his friend warns him. Cyrano simply replies by pointing to himself and saying, “And power here.
They may destroy me physically, but my words and memory live on to forever haunt them.” Though Cyrano De Bergerac is mostly known as a love story, a very tragic one at that, the other powerful aspect of the story lies in the depiction of a man who would never, ever compromise his beliefs or give into the pressures around him. He would rather have enemies than friends if it meant he could hold on to what he valued and believed in. His “white plum of freedom” as he liked to call it, was the philosophy that by speaking the whole truth and nothing but the truth. He was free from corruption and fear, never having to live with secrets, lies and paranoia like those who he mocked.
In the story, Rostand clearly depicts this as Cyrano moves through the world with his head held high and a knowing smile on his face whenever those who despise him shake a fist in his direction. You, as the reader or member of the audience, can”t help but cheer him on, waiting to see his truth triumph in the end.
No spoiler for those who are unfamiliar with the story, but his truth does win, unfortunately at a terrible price. But Cyrano”s tragedy is something of a great inspiration to us all; to stand up for what we believe despite what others think or say. To not let those around you drag you down, to always seek truth and to never fear or reject it. Cyrano has become such a beloved character in fiction because of his modest and humble origins and yet possessing a powerful soul and mind.
In the story, the politicians, religious leaders and teachers whom he criticizes scoff at him in their own defense, remarking: “Who is this braggart and what makes him think he has the right to speak of such things?”
In the play, one man in particular believes he can get the best of Cyrano by saying in front of a large crowd, “Look at this scarecrow. He has no ribbons, no lace, no medals, no diploma, not even a pair of gloves!” To which everyone laughs in agreement, for despite the fact that Cyrano is a military man, columnist, poet and musician born to a good family, he has no formal education and no piece of paper or other physical proof to show his accomplishments.
However, Cyrano calmly responds, “Tis all true. I carry my effects and accomplishments only on my soul, decked with good deeds instead of ribbons or diplomas. And yes, I have no gloves. A pity really, I had a pair once, an old set and lost one. A man offered me an impertinence once. I left it in his face.” Let”s always remember never to be afraid of the truth, let”s always be honest with others and with ourselves; don”t be afraid of having enemies. You can”t tell people a lie just because it”s what they want to hear; it”ll destroy you in the end. And always, always keep a glove handy.
When Michelle Berger is not writing, she”s usually re-enacting famous fight scenes from Kung-Fu flicks. Reach her at mberger_om@yahoo.com.
