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MonkeyNotes-Cyrano De Bergerac by Edmond Rostand
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Scene 4 Summary
Scene 4 begins with Cyrano standing his ground against the
audience, which is loudly insisting that Montfleury should not stop
his performance. Cyrano threatens to draw his sword and fight
anyone in the audience who dares to challenge him. He then insults
the actor and chases him off the stage. Next Cyrano criticizes the
dramatist, Baro, for his worthless writing. When the intellectually
pretentious women in the audience protest his actions, Cyrano
compliments them as subjects of literature but implores them not to
judge it.
Bellerose, the manager of the theater, confronts Cyrano and tells
him that the money of the patrons will have to be refunded if the
play is cancelled. Cyrano hands over his purse, which if filled with
gold, and tells him to pay the patrons. The audience is then told to
leave. An obnoxious man comes up to Cyrano and warns him that
Montfleury and his key patron have been greatly insulted and will
want revenge. When the man continues and will not leave in spite
of Cyrano's insistence, he quarrels with him and kicks him out.
Count De Guiche calls upon his followers to silence Cyrano.
Valvert approaches Cyrano and dares to comment on the size of
his nose. Cyrano responds by giving a witty exposition on noses
and imagining what all sorts of people might say about the size of
his nose. Valvert, feeling he has been put down by Cyrano, tries to
insult his clothing. Cyrano retorts by explaining that his morals are
impeccable even if his clothing is not. Valvert, failing to gain the
upper hand, becomes more aggressively rude. Cyrano reacts with
wit. When he is called a buffoon, however, Cyrano draws his
sword to fight Valvert. He claims that he will fight the duel while
he is composing a ballad, which he will recite as he fences. The
two draw their swords and begin fighting to the verses of Cyrano's
witty poem. By the ballad's refrain, Cyrano lunges and strikes
Valvert, making him stagger. As Valvert is led away, the audience
applauds Cyrano for his performance; they then depart the theater.
After the patrons have left, Cyrano confesses that he has no money
to buy dinner. When his friend, Le Bret, rebukes him for giving
away his whole month's income to the theatre, he claims that it was
a noble and worthwhile gesture. When the refreshment waitress
offers him food, he takes a token bite and courteously and
grandiosely thanks her.
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