Quote 1
Valvert: Your
nose is . . . very big.
Cyrano: Yes,
very.
Valvert: Ha!
Cyrano: Is
that all?
This speech appears in Act I, just after
Cyrano makes his first entrance. After several characters describe
Cyrano to those who do not know him, Cyrano appears and fulfills
everyone’s expectations. Valvert, one of de Guiche’s men, pokes
fun at the size of Cyrano’s nose—a big mistake. Cyrano makes fun
of Valvert’s lack of creativity and eloquence, and proceeds to put
on a jesting exhibition of sorts, making fun of his own nose. This
quotation demonstrates several of Cyrano’s important qualities:
eloquence, sense of humor, creativity, resourcefulness, courage,
and confidence, as well as his showmanship and bravado. Remembering
the promise he made to Roxane to keep Christian safe, Cyrano responds
to Valvert’s ridiculing of his nose with biting, ironic criticism
instead of violence.
