SCENE 1.III.

In Scene 1.III of “Cyrano de Bergerac,” the atmosphere is thick with the intrigue and flamboyance of the French nobility. De Guiche, a prominent figure, descends from Roxane’s box, surrounded by a cluster of obsequious noblemen, including the Viscount de Valvert. The marquises admire De Guiche’s ribbons, jesting about their color, named ‘Sick Spaniard’, a nod to Spain’s anticipated downfall in Flanders due to De Guiche’s valor. This scene unfolds in the bustling environment of a theater, where the pit is full, and the audience eagerly waits for the performance to begin.

Christian, a new character intrigued by the mention of Valvert, finds himself unwittingly grappling with a pickpocket. This encounter unexpectedly turns into a revelation about Ligniere’s life being in danger due to a controversial song. The pickpocket, part of a group of a hundred men lying in wait for Ligniere, imparts this information to Christian under the condition of secrecy demanded by his ‘professional’ ethics. Pressed by urgency, Christian resolves to warn Ligniere, making haste to visit various taverns to convey the warning.

As Christian departs on his mission, the audience’s anticipation for the play becomes intertwined with concern for Ligniere’s fate. The atmosphere teeters between the comedic—an audience member’s wig is humorously stolen, rendering him bald—and the suspenseful, marked by the mysterious, authoritative presence of the Cardinal in one of the boxes. This juxtaposition of light-hearted banter and the looming threat injects the scene with a dynamic tension, setting the stage for unfolding drama and character interactions that promise to weave through themes of honor, deception, and valor.