SCENE 4.III.

In this chapter of “Cyrano de Bergerac,” the cadets are struggling with hunger and despair in their camp near Arras. Amidst their misery, they long for the slightest taste of food, envisioning pheasants and carps only to reveal their meager finds—a gudgeon and a sparrow—which ignites thoughts of mutiny among them due to the dire state of their provisions.

Carbon de Castel-Jaloux, the captain, calls out for Cyrano’s assistance as the men’s spirits hit a low point. Cyrano emerges, embodying calm and wit with a pen and book in hand, ready to confront the despair of his comrades. He engages the cadets with his characteristic blend of humor and stoicism, making light of their hunger by jesting that a hollow stomach can serve as a drum for the assault or suggesting humorously that they could eat “patience” or even the pages of the “Iliad” he was carrying. His attempt to lift their spirits includes satirical remarks about wishing for meals from the first minister in Paris, hinting at their dire need for support and sustenance.

Despite the cadets’ vocal expressions of hunger and desperation, Cyrano maintains a focus on morale rather than physical needs, emphasizing the power of words and spirit over the body’s demands. He romanticizes the notion of dying for a noble cause with a poetic gesture, rather than succumbing to illness or the passive defeat by hunger.

To shift the focus from their gnawing hunger, Cyrano directs Bertrand the fifer, formerly a shepherd, to play old country airs on his flute. He recognizes the need to evoke memories of home and simpler times, using music as a means to transport the cadets away from their immediate hardships. The playing of traditional airs from Languedoc serves as a poignant reminder of their heritage and personal histories. Cyrano’s efforts to distract and uplift emphasize the themes of resilience, camaraderie, and the enduring strength of the human spirit amidst adversity. Through Cyrano’s leadership, the scene encapsulates the blend of tragedy and comedy, with the grim reality of war contrasted against the enduring wit and resolve of its characters.