How we cite our quotes: (Act.Line)
Quote #10
LE BRET
Yes…
(After a silence, draws Cyrano’s arm through his own.)
Tell this to all the world—And then to me
Say very softly that… She loves you not. (II.459-461)
Again, Le Bret is the only character to truly understand Cyrano and the complexity of his love.
Quote #11
CYRANO
Do you not know
I am her brother? Come!
CHRISTIAN
Whose?—
CYRANO
Hers—Roxane!
CHRISTIAN
Her… brother? You?
(Hurries to him.)
CYRANO
Her cousin. Much the same.
CHRISTIAN
And she has told you?...
CYRANO
Everything.
CHRISTIAN
She loves me?
CYRANO
Perhaps.
CHRISTIAN (Takes both his hands.)
My dear sir—more than I can say,
I am honored—
CYRANO
This is rather sudden.
CHRISTIAN
Please
Forgive me— (II.526-532)
Only when Christian learns that Cyrano is Roxane’s cousin does he ask his forgiveness; his actions, like Cyrano’s, are driven entirely by desire for Roxane.
Quote #12
CYRANO (change of tone)
Roxane expects a letter—
CHRISTIAN
Not from me?
Yes. Why not?
CHRISTIAN
Once I write, that ruins all!
CYRANO
And why?
CHRISTIAN
Because… because I am a fool!
Stupid enough to hang myself!
CYRANO
But no—
You are no fool; you call yourself a fool,
There’s proof enough in that. Besides, you did not
Attack me like a fool.
CHRISTIAN
Bah! Any one
Can pick quarrel. Yes, I have a sort
Of rough and ready soldier’s tongue. I know
That. But with any woman—paralyzed,
Speechless, dumb. I can only look at them.
Yet sometimes, when I go away, their eyes…
CYRANO
Why not their hearts, if you would wait and see?
CHRISTIAN
No. I am one of those—I know—those men
Who never can make love.
CYRANO
Strange… Now it seems
I, if I gave my mind to it, I might
Perhaps make love well.
CHRISTIAN
Oh, if I had words
To say what I have here!
CYRANO
If I could be
A handsome little Musketeer with eyes!
CHRISTIAN
Besides—you know Roxane—how sensitive—
One rough word, and the sweet illusion—gone!
CYRANO
I wish you might be my interpreter.
CHRISTIAN
I wish I had your wit—
CYRANO
Borrow it, then!
Your beautiful young manhood—lend me that,
And we two make one hero of romance! (II.536-560)
Both men are so desperate for Roxane’s love that they are willing to manipulate each other to achieve their ends.