Major+Theme

In this play, there is an underlying theme that is very important. This is the idea that spiritual beauty is more important than physical beauty. Rostand clearly portrays this when he splits up the physical beauty and spiritual beauty that every romantic hero has. When he made Christian handsome and Cyrano witty, he was essentially making Roxane (the ideal woman) choose between inner and outer beauty. At the start, she is clearly attracted to Christian, but after communicating with Cyrano (playing Christian) she falls for his inner beauty. Roxane even says, "I would love him if he were ugly." Although Cyrano represents the spiritual beauty, he possesses other traits, such as superb strength. He can fight off 100 men at once and gives away all of his money in order to keep his pride. These traits are revered by his fellow townsmen, and even Roxane praises him for his abilities.