On Favorite Authors: Edmond Rostand

When it comes to French playwrights, there are two authors who stand out, Moliere and Edmond Rostand. Though each of them wrote numerous works, both are remembered primarily for one crowning achievement, those being "Tartuffe" and "Cyrano de Bergerac" respectively. While Moliere's hilarious "Tartuffe" rose to success largely due to its extremely controversial plot material, "Cyrano de Bergerac" owed its popularity to being a unique story with a truly memorable hero who connected with his audience. 

The narrative of "Cyrano de Bergerac" revolves around its titular character, Hercule de Savinian de Cyrano de Bergerac, or Cyrano, a Gascon soldier whose most distinctive characteristics are his overpowering panache and oversized nose.

Though incredibly gifted in poetic language, wit, and combat, Cyrano is extremely self-conscious about his nose, not believing it possible for any woman to see past it and love him.  This leads him to partner with a handsome but bumbling soldier named Christian in an attempt to woo the beautiful Roxanne.  Naturally, this sets into motion a hilarious and wildly amusing string of events, culminating in an ending that sets it on par with the much more popular Shakespearean comedies.

Pros

The entirety of "Cryano de Bergerac's" narrative bursts with distinction in its colorful characters, engaging narrative, and brilliant ending. Whether it's Rostand's humorous take on the 'balcony scene' or witty verbal exchanges between rivals in romance, "Cyrano de Bergerac is a well-paced masterpiece that easily earns its place as one of the finest examples of French drama.

Cons

There are very few works that could be called flawless, however, "Cyrano de Bergerac" strives to, and almost succeeds at reaching this distinction.  It should be noted, though, that the ending is of a divisive nature and won't leave all audiences as enamored as my earlier implications may have suggested.

Conclusion

Edmond Rostand's most memorable work is one of the most fantastic examples of performed literature and should be ranked alongside the likes of Shakespeare, Sophocles, and Aeschylus.

Postscript:
The 1990 film, "Cyrano de Bergerac," starring Gerard Depardieu and Anne Brochet is an excellent film adaption of the book that does a fantastic job of retaining the play's vivid story and characters. It is definitely well-worth checking out.