Will you let my soul pass from my leather
jerkin and lodge beneath your embroidered doublet?
(See Important Quotations Explained)
Summary — Act II, scene vii
Cyrano’s company of guards tumbles into the shop, ecstatic
over Cyrano’s triumphs the night before. The whole city is in a
tumult over the sensation he created. Carbon, the captain of the
guards, tries to lead Cyrano out into the adoring throng, but Cyrano
refuses to go. People begin rushing into the store, doting on Cyrano.
Prominent men ask for the details of the night before; Cyrano’s
friends see an opportunity for him to help his career, but he refuses
to provide any details. De Guiche enters with a message of admiration,
and Cyrano presents to him the song of the Cadets of Gascoyne. De Guiche
suggests that his uncle, Cardinal Richelieu, the most powerful man
in France, might be willing to help Cyrano. But again Cyrano refuses.
During the hubbub, a cadet appears with a set of hats belonging
to the men Cyrano defeated the previous night. De Guiche reveals
that he hired the hundred men, and he angrily storms out of the
store. The crowd dissipates, and only the guards remain.
Summary — Act II, scene viii
Le Bret argues that Cyrano is ruining his chances of becoming
a successful man or a famous poet. Cyrano says he will live according
to his ideals and that he has no interest in making friends with
unworthy men. Suddenly, Christian enters.
Summary — Act II, scene ix
The other guardsmen, not privy to Cyrano’s vow to Roxane,
tease Christian and warn him never to mention Cyrano’s nose. Christian, upset
that he is being teased, asks Carbon what to do when Gascons grow
too boastful. Carbon replies that he must prove a man can be a Norman
and still have courage. So when Cyrano begins to tell the story
of his fight with the hundred men, Christian repeatedly interrupts
him with references to his nose. Cyrano fills with anger, and the
cadets expect him to attack Christian. Remembering his promise to
protect Christian, however, Cyrano controls himself. Christian’s insults
continue until at last Cyrano angrily sends away the cadets. Expecting
him to kill Christian, they hasten from the room.
Summary — Act II, scene x
Rather than killing Christian, Cyrano embraces him and
reveals that he is Roxane’s cousin. Christian proclaims that he
simply cannot write to Roxane because he is too stupid—he thinks
she will lose all feeling for him the moment she reads his words.
Struck by a powerful idea, Cyrano offers to write letters for Christian—though
he says he is only interested in practicing his comic poetry, inwardly,
he burns for the opportunity to express his feelings to Roxane.
Christian agrees, and they embrace again.
Summary — Act II, scene xi
The cadets return to the room, stunned to see that not
only is Christian still alive, but that he is embracing Cyrano.
Lise’s musketeer decides to follow Christian’s lead and insults
Cyrano’s nose. Cyrano knocks him over a bench. The cadets, pleased
to have their old Cyrano back, rejoice.
Analysis — Act II, scenes vii–xi
The structure of Act II is important for several reasons.
It introduces the plot’s main event: Cyrano’s plan to woo Roxane
for Christian by writing the letters himself. It shows Cyrano at
the peak of his sensational popularity following his triumph at
the theater and in the duel against a hundred men. It also shows
how his pride and virtue compel him to shun his popularity.
