SCENE 1.V.

In this chapter of “Cyrano de Bergerac,” Cyrano has just spectacularly spent his entire inheritance in a day, a gesture Le Bret deems as folly but which Cyrano defends as a graceful action. Although left with nothing, Cyrano’s pride and dignity are intact, a theme that continues to define his character throughout the narrative. The buffet-girl, witnessing Cyrano’s plight, offers him food from her buffet. Despite his Gascon pride that would typically prevent him from accepting such charity, Cyrano takes a few grapes, a glass of water, and half a macaroon to avoid offending her, showcasing his complex nature—proud yet considerate.

As they dine on this modest meal, Le Bret tries to reason with Cyrano about his provocative actions earlier that evening that earned him a multitude of enemies, including influential figures and institutions like Montfleury, De Guiche, and the Academy. Cyrano, however, delights in his insurgence, viewing his challenge against societal norms and mediocrity as a path to being “admirable in all.” He indicates that his disdain for Montfleury, an actor he disrupted, stems from a personal vendetta connected to his love interest, demonstrating Cyrano’s passionate side and hinting at the romantic entanglements and conflicts to come.

This chapter vividly illustrates Cyrano’s complex character—his bravado and wit, his disdain for societal expectations, and his inner conflict of noble sentiments versus personal vendettas. His interactions with the buffet-girl and Le Bret reveal a man of honor, pride, and sensitivity, setting the stage for the dramatic and emotional journey ahead. Through these interactions, the reader gains insight into Cyrano’s motivations, his disdain for compromise, and his struggle between personal desires and societal pressures, themes that resonate throughout the play.