Beauty In Rostand's Cyrano De Bergerac

The strife between outer and inner beauty captivates many societies. Often people struggle, constantly battling looks versus personality. This conflict, demonstrated by the characters in Rostand’s drama Cyrano de Bergerac, comes to light as the three main characters form their own meaning of beauty. Caught between inside character and outward appearance, Cyrano, Christian, and Roxane, possess contrasting beliefs and types of beauty. The characters’ ideas, words, and actions toward beauty reveal the admirable qualities of each person. Cyrano exhibits inner beauty through his attractive qualities and courageous deeds. The other characters admire him for his wit and intelligence but ridicule him for his features, particularly his nose. Ragueneau notes him as stunning in his actions and his intellect but lacking in his good looks. …show more content…
She embodies both inner and outer beauty and comes to appreciate the importance of both. Her qualities and her individuality make her an admirable woman, praised for her combination of beauty. The characters converse about Roxane saying she is, “ ‘not too exquisite - too too / Adorable…She is a flawless peach/With the faint perfume of a strawberry’ ”(8). They comment that she is, “ ‘A threat, a peril, though she’s unaware/That she can be a danger. Nature’s snare;/A damask rose, the perfect trap for love./Whoever wins her smile wins heaven itself’ ”(25). Marveled at by many characters, Roxane’s incomparable elegance makes her unique and an idol for many. In addition to her looks, Roxane also possesses many good qualities. De Guiche compliments her saying, “ ‘No one but a woman / could dream of such a sly and subtle trick’ ”(61.) Cleverness and flair add to Roxane’s ability to captivate the community. Appreciated for her inner and outer beauty, Roxane motivates members of the audience to face the true meaning of

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