Cyrano de Bergerac is the main character in the book. Cyrano was an extraordinary man despite his less than perfect looks. He was a poet, Musketeer, and friend to most. Cyrano was very much in love with Roxane, who was very beautiful and his cousin. Cyrano thought that because he had such a peculiar, big nose that the beautiful Roxane could never love him in return. He learns that Roxane loved a man named Christian. Since Christian was what Cyrano was not, handsome, he gave Christian the words to win Roxane’s love. He wrote Roxane the words he would say if she loved him. The words won her heart for Christian. After learning that she would love Christian even if he was ugly he could have told Roxane the truth about her dear love but didn’t. Christian died in a battle. During her mourning Cyrano visited Roxane every Saturday. The day Cyrano was to die she learned the truth about her Christian. After Cyrano died maybe she loved him.

Roxane was Cyrano’s cousin and the woman he loved. Roxane was however in love with Christian. At first she loved him only because of his handsome looks, but then Cyrano helps Christian tell her how he feels. She then loves him for his soul and says she would love him even if he was ugly. Christian then dies, but Cyrano does not tell Roxane that he was using Christian to speak through, telling him the words to tell her. Roxane still mourns for Christian fifteen years later. The day Cyrano dies he comes to visit her. She allows Cyrano to read the last letter Christian had written her. When he is still able to read when there is no longer light to see with Roxane realizes that Cyrano had written her that letter as well as all the others and that it was his soul she loved not Christian’s.

Christian de Neuvillette was the man whom Roxane thought she loved. He was a Musketeer under Cyrano’s command. After Roxane told Cyrano that she loved Christian, Cyrano decided to help Christian win her heart. Christian was very handsome and this is the reason Roxane loved him in the beginning. Later she tells him for his soul, the soul Cyrano had given him. He realizes that Cyrano loves Roxane and demands Cyrano to tell Roxane that he was the soul not Christian and have her choose between the two of them. Cyrano cannot bring himself to tell her, especially after Christian is wounded and on his deathbed. He manages to whisper to Christian just before he dies that he told Roxane and she chose him. He dies happy.

Comte de Guiche is another man who is in love with Roxane. He is married to the niece of the Cardinal. He wants Roxane to marry Valvert so he can keep up with her. He is very powerful. He finds out that Christian and Roxane have been married and immediately sends the Guards to the war. In the end he ends up being a traitor. He gives the Spaniards the signal to fight. He wants Roxane to leave the camp but when she will not he remains also. This makes the other Cadets respect him.

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Ragueneau was one of Cyrano’s dear friends. At first he is a pastrycook but his business

fails because the poets eat all his goods and his wife Lise leaves him. He helps Cyrano out several times throughout the book. He is Roxane’s coachman when she comes to be with Christian. He also found Cyrano after he was hit in the head with the log and knew he would go to see Roxane before he died.

Le Bret was another one of Cyrano’s dear friends. He was always "growling." Cyrano told his problems to Le Bret and he listened. He was the first one to find out about Cyrano’s love for Roxane. Le Bret fought with Cyrano in Arras. He tries to warn Cyrano that people are trying to accidentally kill him but is to late. He was upset when Cyrano died.

Ligniere was another one of Cyrano’s many friends. He is the person who informed Christian what Roxane’s name was. Cyrano fought one hundred to one for Ligniere because they were friends.

This act takes place in the hall of the Hotel de Bourgogne, which is decorated for a theatrical performance. The theater is dark because the chandeliers have not been lit. Several people are in the theater talking merrily. The lamplighter begins his duty as Ligniere and Christian de Neuvillette enter arm-in-arm. Christian tells of how he is joining the Guards. Ligniere has come to assist Christian in finding out the name of his love. Ligniere only stays because he has wine. The theater is alive with the talk of how Montfleury was forbidden by Cyrano de Bergerac to appear on the stage. Roxane enters the theater Christian begs Ligniere for her name. Roxane and Christian gaze at each other. Christian is told that his now drunk friend Ligniere is to be ambushed by one-hundred men at the Porte de Nesle. Montfleury enters the stage and Cyrano has not made his appearance. From the back of the audience a voice calls to Montfleury that he has disobeyed. Cyrano enters. The crowd urges Montfleury to continue with the play. As Cyrano speaks more however the crowd starts to cheer for him. Bellerose, the manager, tells Cyrano he can interrupt the play anytime for the bag of money he had paid. Valvert tells Cyrano that his nose was rather large and Cyrano tells him off by saying that he could’ve thought of a better description. Cyrano then to entertain the crowd set a duel to poem. He tells Le Bret that he is in love with Roxane, but does not think she can love him because of his nose. He then receives a message from Roxane’s Duenna that she wishes to see him privately. They will meet at Ragueneau’s shop. Ligniere tells Cyrano of the hundred men waiting to kill him and Cyrano tells him to go home. Cyrano goes with him to fight with the odds one-hundred to one.

This act takes place in the Shop of Ragueneau. Pastrycooks are cooking food. The apprentice has baked a lyre. Lise has made paper bags out of Ragueneau’s poetry. Cyrano enters and asks for the time every few minutes nervous about his meeting with Roxane. He begins to write her a letter instead of having to speak to her. Ragueneau’s friends the poets enter the shop. They begin to tell of how dead are scattered about near the Porte de Nesle. Ragueneau reads his recipe in rhyme. Roxane and her Duenna appear outside the door. The poets are led to another room leaving them alone. Roxane tells Cyrano that she loves someone...Christian. Cyrano can hardly believe what he has been told. She only told him so that he could try to protect Christian and be his friend. Roxane wants Christian to write to her. Carbon appears to congratulate Cyrano along with the company. All of Paris has come to congratulate Cyrano. A cadet enters with a sword full of hats that used to belong to the men he killed. He turns down the offer to publish his poems. Le Bret finally understands Cyrano’s mood, Roxane does not love him. Christian has entered the shop. Other cadets try to explain to Christian not to mention Cyrano’s nose. Christian tries to prove that Cyrano is being too boastful. Cyrano begins to tell the

cadets his story. Christian begins mentioning Cyrano’s nose during story pauses. When

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he realizes who was saying these things he tried to ignore Christian. Cyrano becomes tired of his rude remarks and orders the other cadets outside. Cyrano tells Christian that he is Roxane’s cousin and that she expects a letter. When he tells Cyrano that he has no writing ability Cyrano comes up with a plan. With Christian’s face being an interpreter for his words surely she would be happy. Christian would use Cyrano’s words and his letters to win Roxane. They embrace as the others return. The cadets cheer when a musketeer insults Cyrano’s nose and is knocked out of his chair for it.

This act takes place at Roxane’s house. Ragueneau is talking to the Duenna. He tells her that his pastry had failed. They are preparing to go see the Tender Passion. Cyrano appears with two pages carrying theorbos that he has won from a bet with D’Assoucy. Roxane recites parts of Christian’s letters to prove how smart he is. De Guiche comes to bid farewell to Roxane he is going to besiege Arras. He tells of how he was made Colonel of the Guards of the Regiment Cyrano was in. Christian is also in this Regiment. Since he is sending the Guards there to seek revenge on Cyrano Roxane comes up with a plan. She tells De Guiche of how much Cyrano loves to fight, the thoughts of danger, so the best revenge would actually be to force Cyrano to not fight. He agrees and takes the Guards’ orders out of the pile. Roxane wants Christian to wait for her. When Cyrano tries to get Christian to learn the lines he should say Christian refuses. He wishes to speak for himself so Cyrano leaves. Roxane returns they missed the Tender Passion. Roxane sits with Christian and wants him to tell her things. The only words Christian can think of are "I love you." Roxane quickly becomes bored with this and goes home. Cyrano suggests that he stands unseen while Christian stands before the balcony. Cyrano will whisper to Christian what to say. He throws pebbles at her window and she comes out. Roxane does not think Christian loves her anymore. They begin their little charade. When she begins to ask why his words were so halting Cyrano and Christian trade places. Cyrano begins to speak to her with his soul instead of for Christian. Thinking that this is Christian speaking she replies that she loves him to. Christian then from under the balcony asks for one kiss. Cyrano thinks this is asking to much. Since sometime they would kiss Cyrano would rather win it than have Christian steal it so he tries to win Christian the kiss. She agrees and Cyrano has to push Christian into climbing up to claim his prize. Orders are sent for Roxane and Christian to be married at once. De Guiche is coming so Cyrano pretends to be a lunatic who believes he has fallen from the moon. At first De Guiche finds the act very annoying but he becomes amused. Just when De Guiche becomes interested Cyrano stops his charade. The bridal pair emerge from the house and De Guiche learns of their marriage and immediately decides to send the Guards afterall. Christian is forced away from his new bride as she calls to Cyrano to take care of him. Cyrano promises to have Christian write every single day.

This act takes place at The Siege of Arras. Every Cadet is thin and pale. Cyrano returns from his daily trip through Spanish lines to send a letter to Roxane. The Cadets awaken with low spirits because of their increasing hunger. Carbon calls to Cyrano to come and make them laugh. Hunters return with one gudgeon and one sparrow. He

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makes them more homesick than happy. All the Cadets moan because De Guiche is approaching, they grow weary of him. As to not swell De Guiche’s ego they all pretend to play games and be content. De Guiche begins to boast of how he drove Count de Bourquoi from Bapaume. Cyrano inquires about his white scarf. He tells of how he flashed his white scarf to show military rank and then managed to escape. Cyrano then ask if he can borrow this white scarf to lead the first charge with. De Guiche says that his scarf is on a river bank impossible to reach without being killed. Cyrano produces the scarf from his pocket. De Guiche then gives a signal to a Spaniard to tell the other side to attack. There is perhaps an hour before the attack. Once again the fighting odds will be a hundred to one. Realizing that they will probably die Cyrano gives Christian a farewell letter to Roxane. On the paper is a dried tear. Suddenly a coach is driving into camp. Roxane is inside. She said that she could not bare to be apart from Christian for so long. She came through the Spanish lines. The troops try to get her to leave since they are to die soon but she wishes to stay with Christian. The Cadets say she will stay and try to make themselves more presentable. They will use her handkerchief for a banner. Roxane’s carriage is full of hidden food for the starving Cadets to feast on. Her coachman turns out to be no other than Ragueneau. He hands out the food and wine to the hungry men. De Guiche approaches they hide all the food and wine he is not invited to dine. He realizes that some of the men are drunk. When De Guiche says he will stay to protect Roxane the Cadets see that he is afterall a Gascon and bring him some food and wine. Cyrano pulls Christian away from the others to tell him that he wrote to Roxane every day. Roxane tells Christian the reason she has come to join him is because of his letters. She tells him that at first she only loved him for his face but now because of his letters she loves his self, his soul. Roxane says she would love Christian even if he were ugly. Christian tells Cyrano that Roxane does not love him anymore but now loves Cyrano. She loves his soul that is Cyrano and Christian knows that Cyrano loves Roxane. Christian tells Cyrano that Roxane said would love him even if he was ugly. He wants Cyrano to tell her everything and have her chose between the two of them. Christian walks to the post leaving Cyrano to talk to Roxane. They hear gunshots before he tells her. He says he can never tell her now... Christian has been shot and is dying. The shots come closer and the other Cadets rush off to fight. While Roxane is occupied Cyrano tells Christian that he told Roxane and she chose Christian. A letter is lying over Christian’s heart for Roxane it is Cyrano’s farewell letter. He has died. On the letter are blood and tears. De Guiche and Ragueneau carry out the fainted Roxane. Cyrano rushes over the parapet to join the fight.

This act takes place fifteen years later (1655) at the Park of the Convent. Sister Marthe, Sister Claire, and Mother Marguerite are sitting around discussing Cyrano. Cyrano has come to see Roxane every Saturday for the past fourteen years. The nuns believe that one day they will convert Cyrano into a good Catholic. Cyrano is now poor. De Guiche and Roxane enter. Roxane says she will stay at the Convent in mourning faithful forever. Christian’s last letter forever hanging near her heart. Le Bret enters. They all stand around and talk about Cyrano. Le Bret pulls De Guiche to the side. He tells him that people have been saying that Cyrano may die accidentally. De Guiche tells Le Bret to keep watch over Cyrano. Ragueneau now enters. He tells Le Bret awful news.

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Cyrano was hit over the head by a log. He found Cyrano lying on the ground with a great hole in his head. He carried Cyrano home and the doctor said if he tries to raise his head he may die. They do not tell Roxane and depart. Cyrano appears late for the first time in fourteen years. He has his hat cocked forward so Roxane cannot see his bandages. Cyrano asks when the end of Roxane’s constant embroidery will be. Every Saturday Cyrano gives Roxane her own Gazette of the week and today is no exception. He faints but blames it on an old Arras wound and Roxane assumes everything is okay. Cyrano wishes to read Christian’s last letter. He reads it in a way that Roxane has never heard before. She trembles as she recalls this voice from the night under the balcony. When it becomes too dark to read and Cyrano is still reciting the letter Roxane knows that it was him that was its author. He tries to claim that it was not him but she knows it was. The tears on the letter were his not Christian’s. Le Bret and Ragueneau find Cyrano with Roxane. They tell her of how he could have died coming to see her. Cyrano finishes the story. Cyrano stops Roxane from going to the chapel saying he may not still be there when she returns. She tells him that she loves him. Cyrano decides he would like to live on the moon. Le Bret is very upset. Cyrano becomes more and more delirious. He begins to sword fight with an invisible enemy probably death. The last face he sees before he dies is that of his love, Roxane.