Otto M. Schwarz

Cyrano

What defines a person? External beauty or inner values? Or a balance of both? Everyone has probably asked themselves this question and the answer is as difficult as it is subjective. This is also the subject of this work. The poet and soldier Cyrano de Bergerac is known for his big nose and great intellect. The character from the 17th century novel has feelings for the beautiful Roxanne, but is certain that this love will never be reciprocated. Roxane falls in love with the cadet Christian von Neuvillette, who is described as handsome but rather stupid. Cyrano de Bergerac writes love poems in Christian's name in order to win Roxane's favor. But there is also the married Count Guiche, who also wants to make her his mistress. Christian and Roxane finally marry and the furious Count Guiche sends Christian and Cyrano, who are serving together in the Gascon cadet regiment, to the front and from there, after several months, to a suicide mission. Shortly before the battle, Roxane confesses to her husband that she no longer loves him so much for his beauty, but for his inner values. Christian is horrified and urges Cyrano to tell Roxane the truth, but he does not have the heart to do so. Christian von Neuvillette dies in battle and Cyrano de Bergerac remains silent about the true authorship of the letters. It is not until much later that the truth comes to light: scarred by the war, Cyrano visits Roxane in the convent where she has been living since Christian's death and confesses his love for her. He eventually dies in Roxane's arms.