Chesterton on "Cyrano De Bergerac"

Cyrano De Bergerac, a verse drama in five acts, was performed for the first time in 1897 and published the following year. Set in 17th-century Paris, the action revolves around the emotional problems of the noble, swashbuckling Cyrano, who, despite his many gifts, feels that no woman can ever love him because he has an enormous nose. It is one of my favorite plays. And it was one of Chesterton's favorite plays too.

In his essay "French and English," G. K. Chesterton comments on several French plays. Then writes, "I do not know much of humanity, especially when humanity talks in French. But I know when a thing is meant to uplift the human soul, and when it is meant to depress it. I know that Cyrano de Bergerac...was meant to encourage man."

Now, you know if Chesterton liked something it had to be very, very good. So go run down to your bookstore or library and grab a copy of Cyrano De Bergerac. It really does uplift the human soul.

Posted by Nicole Bianchi at 11:16 AM