SCENE 3.XI.

In this captivating chapter from “Cyrano de Bergerac,” we are thrust into the thick of a comic yet tension-filled scenario. Cyrano, with his sharp wit and boundless ingenuity, devises a clever ruse to detain De Guiche, going to great lengths to ensure that Roxane and Christian can share private moments. His plan unfolds dramatically when he leaps from a balcony, feigning a miraculous fall from the moon right in De Guiche’s path.

Upon “landing,” Cyrano adopts a Gascon accent and launches into an elaborate and fantastical tale of his journey from the moon, employing a blend of confusion, astonishment, and scientific jargon to bemuse and distract De Guiche. Claiming no metaphor, Cyrano vividly describes his celestial fall, astonishing De Guiche with declarations of his travel methods, including tears of dew for ascension and encounters with constellations, presenting each absurdity with the earnestness of a scholar and the zeal of an explorer.

Cyrano’s performance is so compelling and detailed that despite De Guiche’s impatience and skepticism, he finds himself unwittingly engaged, following Cyrano as he describes six innovative methods he purportedly invented for moon travel. From harnessing dew and sunbeams to constructing a grasshopper-like apparatus powered by saltpeter, Cyrano’s imagination knows no bounds. Each method surpasses the last in creativity and scientific fantasy, pulling De Guiche further into Cyrano’s charade.

Cyrano’s adept manipulation of the conversation, marked by his feigned ignorance of earthly matters upon his “return,” and the inventive explanations for his space travel, not only stalls De Guiche but also showcases Cyrano’s unparalleled quick thinking and eloquence. This spectacle culminates in an amusing yet poignant moment of distraction, enabling the lovers their coveted time together and highlighting Cyrano’s loyal and sacrificial nature.

Throughout the exchange, despite De Guiche’s initial frustration and desire to dismiss Cyrano’s ramblings, he becomes entranced by the sheer audacity and innovation of Cyrano’s claims. By the end of their conversation, De Guiche, though dismissing Cyrano as a mad but learned fool, cannot help but be swayed by the fantastic narrative, proving the power of Cyrano’s intellect and the depth of his dedication to aiding Christian and Roxane’s love.