Cyrano de Bergerac Lesson Plan

Discuss the tonal pacing throughout the act. Where and when does the tone shift, and why? How does Rostand lead the audience through to the climax of the piece?

Act IV features Cyrano's usual blend of humor and gallantry, but Rostand knows he's going to arrive at a tragic moment at the end of the act. He keeps the tone relatively light throughout, letting the wartime setting provide gravitas. There are moments of humor, a pastoral tribute, and a feast scene made all the more humorous by the cadets' earlier complaining - even the starvation of war is kept light.

Meanwhile, Rostand increases the stakes by announcing a major battle, with little chance of survival; this adds...