Cyrano Honorable Man free essay sample

The definition of honor is a keen sense of ethical conduct. As George Bernard Shaw once said, â€Å"A life spent making mistakes is not only more honorable, but more useful than a life spent doing nothing. † Similar to the quote honor is portrayed by Cyrano De Bergerac. In Cyrano de Bergerac, by Edmond Rostand, honor is a key element in the play which is shown through Cyrano’s deeds of honor, how it is based in society, and because Cyrano’s outstanding traits of honor outweigh other characters honor. Cyrano is an honorable man. To begin with, he shows his honor in many ways, but he does not do it to receive praise, he does it because of his faithful personality. For example, when Cyrano hears about the hundred men sent to kill Ligniere, Cyrano has far too much dignity to let Ligniere die when there was something he could do about it. â€Å" A hundred- is that all? You are going home Forward march! I say I’ll be the man to-night that sees you home. Cyrano speaks towards Ligniere and tells him that he will fight all hundred men single-handedly†(I 53). Cyrano does many deeds which makes him the honorable man he is. Secondly, Cyrano risks his life during every honorable act he carries out. One example of this is when he promises Roxane that Christian will send her a letter each day of battle. Roxanne says to Cyrano, â€Å"And have him write to me every single day! † Cyrano replies with â€Å"That I promise you! † (III 148). Cyrano’s honorable traits make him cross spanish lines each day to make the love of his life, Roxane happy. Lastly, Cyrano never missed a day visiting Roxane for ten years. His honorability is shown each time he comes to see her. Despite Cyrano being poor or weak he does not miss a visit with Roxane. Cyrano’s love and honor compel him to visit her each day. Cyrano risking his life without a big deal and visiting Roxane proves his honorable qualities. Throughout the play, honor is portrayed by its values in society. Cyrano is a very honorable man, he is admired everyday by society. â€Å"I carry my adornments on my soul. I do not dress up like a popinjay; but inwardly, i keep my daintiness† Cyrano speaks of himself and says that he does not need to dress fancy, yet he is still honorable (I 37). He is very talented and he shows this in many different ways. While fighting, Cyrano can compose and recite a ballad on the spot. While fighting Valvert he says, â€Å" The cloak that covers my bright array- than out of swords, and to work withal † (I 41). Cyrano is fighting Valvert and speaking the lines of a poem he is making up in his head. Secondly, honor has a value in the society because of how it is viewed by the audience and other characters. Honor is someone like Cyrano, well respected and witty. Le Bret speaks of Cyrano and says, â€Å" But your wit- Your courage- why the poor child who offered you just now your dinner † ( I 50). As he speaks of Cyrano it expresses how other characters look upon him. Finally, honor is shown in society when someone places others in front of themselves. Cyrano demonstrates this when he lets Christian have the love of his life. This shows that he can keep his honor by making both Roxane and Christian happy. The role of honor in society is represented throughout the play. Although, Cyrano is a honorable character many other characters are not. Christian is the first character to show dishonor compared to Cyrano. Cyrano does a great deal of honorable deeds for Christian, yet he does not do anything honorable in return. One of the honorable deeds being when he speaks and writes for Christian. This all begins because Christian has no wit and Cyrano does, Christian says, â€Å" I wish I had your wit-† Cyrano replies, â€Å" Borrow it then! Your beautiful young manhood-lend me that, And we two make one hero of romance! † Christian is surprised with the situation and asks Cyrano to explain more, â€Å" I mean Roxane shall have no disillusionment! Come, shall we win her both together † (II 99-100). Christian could at least think of a way to tell Cyrano he appreciates all his honorable qualities. By Christian doing something that simple would have made him a more honorable man. Another character who lacks honor or dignity is Le Bret. Cyrano and Le Bret are close friends, although Cyrano never performed any wonderful deeds towards Le Bret. That does not mean he cannot be honorable towards Cyrano. Le Bret could have warned Cyrano of his death. Regardless, he was late to let Cyrano know of the accident that caused his death, he still becomes a more honorable man. Imagine how much more honorable Le Bret could have been if he were to save Cyrano’s life. The last character who is not honorable is De Guiche. He is the opposite of an honorable man. He does an abundance of deeds, but most of them are for his own good not others. Some might classify De Guiche as a selfish man. Many characters have the chance to become honorable men, but they choose not to, unlike Cyrano. Cyrano de Bergerac reveals the role of honor as a key aspect which is displayed through Cyrano’s acts of honor, how honor is established in society and by contrasting less honorable characters with Cyrano. Honor impacts the play majorly and without the acts of honor the view of the play would not be the same. In the words of Abraham Lincoln, â€Å"I am not bound to win, but I am bound to be true. I am not bound to succeed, but I am bound to live up to what light I have. † Honor is a significant role throughout the play, Cyrano de Bergerac.