Analysis of Cyrano de Bergerac's Nose Tirade in Act I, Scene 4
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Cyrano de Bergerac, Edmond Rostand, Comedic Writing, Metaphor, Hyperbole, Rhetorical Devices, Literature Analysis, Comedy Analysis
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Abstract
This analysis delves into the comedic genius of Cyrano de Bergerac's tirade in Act I, Scene 4, where he mocks the Viscount's simplistic comment about his nose. Explore the use of metaphors, hyperboles, and rhetorical devices that make this scene a masterpiece of comedic writing.
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[...] Each remark in this tirade adopts the same structure: an adjective at the beginning of the verse announces the tone of the mockery, then the adjective is immediately followed by the remark illustrating it, introduced by two points and quotation marks. Each intervention therefore ensures a coherence between the indicated tone and the spoken words. Question 3 Why are there quotation marks at each phrase of Cyrano? What effect does this produce? The adjectives placed at the beginning of each variation are as many didascaliae indicating the tone he takes to say his lines. [...]
[...] Cyrano de Bergerac, Act Scene 4 - Edmond Rostand (1897) - Analysis of the Nose Tirade Cyrano de Bergerac, Edmond Rostand, Act Scene The Nose Tirade Question 1 What event led Cyrano to develop this tirade? This long tirade is intended as a response to the platitude of Valvert's response. The arrogant and assured manner in which Valvert draws the attention of his audience to the response he is about to make contrasts with the platitude of his retort. The imperative "Wait " (line 310) and the announcement in the present tense with the value of a near future going to throw one of his own traits at him " line 310) prepare his audience for a brilliant retort. [...]
[...] It is a comic tirade. The comedy comes from the metaphors employees who often liken the nose to everyday objects ('desk' around 322; 'scissors box' around 322; 'perch' for birds around 325) or who attribute it with useful functions ('hook [ . ] in fashion' around 336; sign 'For a perfumer' around 341). The comedy also comes from the hyperboles which give the nose absolutely gigantic proportions: its bleeding comes from 'Red Sea' (around 340); it is a 'monument' to visit (around 343); it takes the dimensions of a vast territory with the evocation of the 'Mistral' (around 339) or with the gradation of synonyms 'It's a rock . [...]
[...] Valvert's attack is extremely platitudinous since it consists of only one line and is reduced to the simple use of an adverb and an adjective: "You have [ . ] a nose [ . ] very big". The Viscount's laughter at Cyrano's ironic acquiescence shows that the character is not even aware of the ridiculousness of his retort. QUESTION 2 Re-read the adjectives that introduce each sentence. What function do these adjectives fulfill? The structure of the tirade is marked by the great variety of adjectives used. [...]
