Cyrano de Bergerac, Act 3, Scene 1 summary

What happens

1. Marquises flatter De Guiche, who heads toward the stage with Valvert and other gentlemen.
2. Christian catches a pickpocket who reveals that a hundred men await Lignière at the Porte de Nesle.
3. Christian leaves to warn Lignière, putting his concern for him above his feelings about Roxane and Valvert.
4. The noisy audience grows quiet amid reports that the Cardinal occupies a box.
5. Montfleury begins his performance, but a voice repeatedly orders him offstage and threatens him with a cane.
6. Cyrano appears standing on a chair in the pit and declares that his temper is failing.

In this scene

What to notice

The interruption reveals that Cyrano claims authority over Montfleury’s appearances. It turns the opening performance into a public confrontation.

Quick check