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Moyer Eamon BarkhordarianPeriod C 10/5/09English World Culture

Cyrano, the Remarkable Role Model

What does it take for someone to be seen as a role model? Does it take a lot of courage or

wisdom? Does it take considerable skill or pride? In the eyes of many people, a superior role

model can be seen as a leader whose values and abilities stand as an example for people to

follow in the footsteps of. In every movie, book, and play, there is always one prevalent role

model that stands above all other characters. In Spiderman , it was Peter Parker; in Charlie and

the Chocolate Factory it was Charlie Bucket; and in Cyrano de Bergerac by Edmond Rostand it

was Cyrano. Throughout the course of the French play, Cyrano shows strong signs of skill and

leadership. He was shown as a hero that stood up for what he believed in and spoke up for what

he assumed was right. He was a man who eventually won the love of his beautiful cousin despite

his looks, and also the man that earned the respect of the notorious de Guiche. Cyrano is an

excellent role model for readers for he is an incomparable fighter, he is smooth with his words,

and he is very modest and sensitive.

Numerous times throughout the play, Cyrano proves to the reader again and again that he

is a talented fighter. At the beginning of the story, Valvert insults the size of Cyranos nose. In

response, Cyrano unleashes his fury by drawing Valvert into a duel in front of a whole audience.

The talented and incredible fighter easily defeats Valvert in front of everyone. Following the

fight, Cyrano walks upon his friend Ligniere sleeping outside in the dark. After asking why, he

soon learns there are hundred men waiting to murder Ligniere at the Port de Nesles on his way

home. Cyrano, being a good friend of Ligniere, takes on the 100 men, insisting to Ligniere that

he shall sleep in his home that night. Surprisingly, the incredible Cyrano defeats all 100 men,

killing eight of the men, and leaves the fight with only minor cuts. In fact, Cyrano has not only

proven to be an exceptional combatant on the field, but a strong fighter with his words as well.

The character has been seen to stand up for what he believes in, and is even willing to fight for

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Moyer Eamon BarkhordarianPeriod C 10/5/09English World Culturehis beliefs. At one point, de Guiche explains to Cyrano that if he were to sell his play to de

Guiches uncle, a lot of money would be involved, and that only a few lines would be altered

from the original. Cyrano strongly objects saying no money in the world would give him the

happiness of reading his own play again and again.

DE GUICHELet him rewrite a few lines here and there

He pays well.

CYRANOYesbut not so well as I

When I have made a line that sings itself

So that I love the sound of itI pay

Myself a hundred times. (85)

These important events reflect on how much of a fighter Cyrano really is, which help identify his

traits as those of a superior role model.

Cyrano can also be considered a good role model because he is exceptionally skilled at

expressing his emotions through words. Numerous times throughout the play, Cyranos ability to

speak clearly and intensely with his words has helped him through many important situations.

Once after being insulted on his nose by Valvert, Cyrano challenges the man to a battle in front

of a whole crowd. It was a bold move, but just winning the fight didnt cut it for Cyrano. In fact,

Cyrano claimed he could sing an entire ballad on the spot while fighting Valvert, and then

ending the fight on the last line. While we fence, Ill make you a Ballade Extempore. Ill

compose/one, while I fight with you; and at the end/of the last line-thrust home! (pg. 40). It was

an excellent battle, with Cyrano as the undisputed victor. Cyrano also uses his language skills to

his advantage when he approved Christians use of his own letters to win Roxanes heart. Cyrano

agreed to write these powerful and amazing poems to Roxane, who believed the whole time that

these letters were coming from Christian. Many could argue Cyrano agreed to do this act because

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Moyer Eamon BarkhordarianPeriod C 10/5/09English World Culturefor once in his life he could do something that Roxane would appreciate and recognize, even if

she didnt know it was him writing the letters all along. This ability to talk and write with such

ease is one prevalent example of Cyrano being a role model.

Cyrano can almost be seen as the perfect character, but there is one thing that holds him

back. He is depicted as strong and intelligent man, an excellent fighter, and a skilled poet and

writer. But it is a well known fact that no one is completely perfect, and it is certainly true that

Cyrano has one major flaw that no one can deny; his nose. His abnormally large nose has gotten

in the way of his confidence and ability to talk with the one woman he has loved for so long,

Roxane. To him, having the ability to defeat a hundred men or the ability to win any womans

heart through his words means nothing with his nose. Now many can argue this trait can be

considered a flaw, but they dont see the true value of this attribute. This is a strong quality of a

role model because it teaches people that no one is completely perfect, even a man like Cyrano,

yet they can still find success. His traits outperform those of most peoples, but with such skill as

Cyrano, often ones pride would get in the way, and one becomes overly confident. Cyrano is not

one to brag, and having a large nose doesnt help the situation. This is a lesson to people that

even the greatest of heroes have certain troubles. In one scene to Le Bret, Cyrano explains that

he is too ugly to win the heart of Roxane.

look at metell me how much hope remains for me

With this protuberance ! Oh I have no more

Illusions ! Now and thenbah!My poor big devil of a nose inhales(pg.49).

This sensitivity and act of modesty reserves Cyranos potential arrogance and represents him as a

role model.

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Moyer Eamon BarkhordarianPeriod C 10/5/09English World Culture

In conclusion, a role model has a number of different traits than help distinguish him or

her as a leader that people should follow in the footsteps of. One might be strong and intelligent,

or rather quick and witty. In the case of Cyrano, he is a combination of a humble gentleman, a

man of words, and an excellent warrior. He is one that stands up for what he believes in and will

take as many words as he believes necessary to prove a point. He is a strong man with certain

morals, and a modest man that does not think too highly of himself. In the end, Cyrano teaches

the reader a valuable lesson that even the greatest of people have their flaws, but that shouldnt

stop the rest of us from following them in their footsteps.