This is undoubtedly open to interpretation, but the two
strongest comedic scenes in Rostand's Cyrano de Bergerac are the
"nose" speech in Act I and the scene between DeGuiche and Cyrano as Roxane and Christian
get married in Act III. Each of these scenes demonstrates Cyrano's wit and panache, two
things of which he is quite proud.
In the first scene, the
rather insipid Valvert offers a mild insult to Cyrano. Cyrano has no respect for those
who are weak (plus Valvert is part of a nefarious plan which involves Roxane, the woman
Cyrano loves). Though Valvert says nothing about Cyrano's prodigious nose, the cadet
chooses to take umbrage as if he did and launches into all the things a real man with a
real wit might have said. The humor is Cyrano's dramatic exaggeration of his own
greatest flaw; he is self-deprecating (making fun of himself) as well as
quick-witted.
You are too simple. Why, you might have
said--...
'Tis a rock--a crag--a
cape--
A cape? Say rather , a
peninsula!
In the second
scene, Cyrano disguises himself as a man fallen from another planet, something he can
do under cover of darkness. As in the incident with Valvert, Cyrano has no respect for
DeGuiche and is trying to protect Roxane. His wordplay here regarding the constellations
is equally witty and delightful.
Curious place up
there--
Did you know Sirius wore a nightcap?
True!
The Little Bear is still too young to
bite.
In both cases, Cyrano
thinks quickly and demonstrates his quick wit, an obvious disdain for men who of low
character, and a desire to protect those he loves. In both cases, the humorous scene is
followed by a much more serious incident. After the nose speech, Cyrano stabs Valvert in
a duel; after the alien scene, Cyrano and Christian are sent to the front lines of
battle.
On a personal note, I have directed this play on a
high school stage. While there are many comedic moments, these two scenes got the most
laughs, by far. If you had asked for a third, I would have suggested the balcony
scene.
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