Magdalene Robin / Roxane Character Analysis in Cyrano De Bergerac

Roxane is the beautiful, charismatic, and witty cousin of Cyrano de Bergerac. She’s known Cyrano since they were both children, and trusts him completely, though she isn’t aware that he’s in love with her. Early on, Roxane falls in love with a man whom she believes to be Baron Christian de Neuvillette, though in actuality the “man” is a combination of Christian’s face and Cyrano’s words. Roxane must also fend off the advances of the Count de Guiche, who desires her almost as much as Christian and Cyrano do. Roxane is much more than a mere “love interest,” however, and throughout the play she demonstrates her considerable wit—a wit matched only by Cyrano. Roxane’s other virtues include her constancy, as after Christian’s tragic death she mourns him for 15 years, confirming her love for “Christian,” an eloquent, handsome man who quite literally doesn’t exist.

Magdalene Robin / Roxane Quotes in Cyrano De Bergerac

The Cyrano De Bergerac quotes below are all either spoken by Magdalene Robin / Roxane or refer to Magdalene Robin / Roxane. For each quote, you can also see the other characters and themes related to it (each theme is indicated by its own dot and icon, like this one:

LIGNIERE (tasting his rivesalte in sips):
Magdalene Robin--Roxane, so called! A subtle wit--a precieuse.

CHRISTIAN:
Woe is me!

Related Characters: Baron Christian de Neuvillette (speaker), Ligniere (speaker), Magdalene Robin / Roxane

Page Number and Citation: 29

Explanation and Analysis:

ROXANE:
Then you will be his friend?

CYRANO:
I swear!

ROXANE:
And he shall fight no duels, promise!

CYRANO:
None.

Related Characters: Cyrano de Bergerac (speaker), Magdalene Robin / Roxane (speaker), Baron Christian de Neuvillette

Page Number and Citation: 97

Explanation and Analysis:

ROXANE:
You would vex a saint!. . . But 'tis your jealousy.

CYRANO (starting):
What mean you?

ROXANE:
Ay, your poet's jealousy!

Related Characters: Cyrano de Bergerac (speaker), Magdalene Robin / Roxane (speaker), Baron Christian de Neuvillette

Page Number and Citation: 130

Explanation and Analysis:

CHRISTIAN:
And how know you I cannot speak?--
I am not such a fool when all is said!
I've by your lessons profited. You'll see
I shall know how to speak alone! The devil!
I know at least to clasp her in my arms!
(Seeing Roxane come out from Clomire's house):
--It is she! Cyrano, no!--Leave me not!

Related Characters: Baron Christian de Neuvillette (speaker), Cyrano de Bergerac, Magdalene Robin / Roxane

Page Number and Citation: 140

Explanation and Analysis:

CYRANO:
Ay, it is sweet! Half hidden,--half revealed--
You see the dark folds of my shrouding cloak,
And I, the glimmering whiteness of your dress:
I but a shadow--you a radiance fair!
Know you what such a moment holds for me?
If ever I were eloquent. . .

ROXANE:
You were!

CYRANO:
Yet never till to-night my speech has sprung
Straight from my heart as now it springs.

Related Characters: Cyrano de Bergerac (speaker), Magdalene Robin / Roxane

Page Number and Citation: 148

Explanation and Analysis:

ROXANE:
That he shall be faithful!

CYRANO:
Doubtless, but. . .

ROXANE:
That he will write oft?

CYRANO (pausing):
That, I promise you!

Related Characters: Cyrano de Bergerac (speaker), Magdalene Robin / Roxane (speaker), Baron Christian de Neuvillette

Page Number and Citation: 172

Explanation and Analysis:

LE BRET:
To think you risk a life so precious. . . for the sake of a letter. . . Thankless one.
(Seeing him turning to enter the tent):
Where are you going?

CYRANO:
I am going to write another.

Related Characters: Cyrano de Bergerac (speaker), Le Bret (speaker), Magdalene Robin / Roxane

Page Number and Citation: 176

Explanation and Analysis:

CYRANO (in despair. to Roxane):
He's gone! 'Tis naught!--Oh, you know how he sees
Importance in a trifle!

ROXANE (warmly):
Did he doubt
Of what I said?--Ah, yes, I saw he doubted!

CYRANO (taking her hand):
But are you sure you told him all the truth?

ROXANE:
Yes, I would love him were he. . .

(She hesitates.)

CYRANO:
Does that word
Embarrass you before my face, Roxane?

Related Characters: Cyrano de Bergerac (speaker), Magdalene Robin / Roxane (speaker), Baron Christian de Neuvillette

Page Number and Citation: 215

Explanation and Analysis:

ROXANE:
Ah!
Things dead, long dead, see! how they rise again!
--Why, why keep silence all these fourteen years,
When, on this letter, which he never wrote,
The tears were your tears?

CYRANO (holding out the letter to her):
The bloodstains were his.

Related Characters: Cyrano de Bergerac (speaker), Magdalene Robin / Roxane (speaker), Baron Christian de Neuvillette

Page Number and Citation: 243

Explanation and Analysis:

CYRANO:
That night when 'neath your window Christian spoke
--Under your balcony, you remember? Well!
There was the allegory of my whole life:
I, in the shadow, at the ladder's foot,
While others lightly mount to Love and Fame!
Just! very just!

Related Characters: Cyrano de Bergerac (speaker), Baron Christian de Neuvillette, Magdalene Robin / Roxane

Page Number and Citation: 246

Explanation and Analysis:

CYRANO:
Despite you there is yet one thing
I hold against you all, and when, to-night,
I enter Christ's fair courts, and, lowly bowed,
Sweep with doffed casque the heavens' threshold blue,
One thing is left, that, void of stain or smutch,
I bear away despite you.

ROXANE (bending and kissing his forehead):
'Tis?. . .

CYRANO (opening his eyes, recognizing her, and smiling):
My panache.

Related Characters: Cyrano de Bergerac (speaker), Magdalene Robin / Roxane (speaker)

Page Number and Citation: 250

Explanation and Analysis:

Magdalene Robin / Roxane Character Timeline in Cyrano De Bergerac

The timeline below shows where the character Magdalene Robin / Roxane appears in Cyrano De Bergerac. The colored dots and icons indicate which themes are associated with that appearance.

...the woman he’d noticed before. Ligniere explains that the woman’s name is Magdalene Robin, or Roxane, a cousin of Cyrano. (full context)

Christian and Ligniere watch as a young, handsome nobleman goes to speak to Roxane. Ligniere—who’s quickly becoming very drunk—explains that the man is the Count de Guiche. Although the... (full context)

Social Hierarchy and the Romantic Ideal Theme Icon

...to name—are stationed at every pub and tavern in town. Christian is reluctant to leave Roxane, but out of loyalty to Ligniere he rushes out of the Hotel to find his... (full context)

...This woman, Cyrano goes on, is the most beautiful he’s ever known: his own cousin, Roxane. Le Bret tells Cyrano that he should tell Roxane how he feels, but Cyrano dismisses... (full context)

...a Duenna (a serving woman) approaches them and tells Cyrano that she has come from Roxane to deliver a message. (full context)

The Duenna tells Cyrano that Roxane has sent her to summon Cyrano to Roxane’s chambers tomorrow after she’s come back from... (full context)

Cyrano has just gotten word that he’s to meet with Roxane, his cousin and love, tomorrow morning. Suddenly, a group enters the Hotel hall: Cuigy, Brissaille,... (full context)

...pastry shop, where Cyrano has agreed to meet the love of his life, his cousin Roxane. Inside the shop, there are dead birds hanging from the roof, to be plucked and... (full context)

...sits in the shop. To pass the time, he decides to write love verses to Roxane. He produces a pen and goes to work as Ragueneau and Lise go about their... (full context)

Cyrano sits, writing a love-letter in verse for Roxane. As he writes, a group of poets, dressed in black, enters the shop. The poets... (full context)

Cyrano sits in the shop. Suddenly, Roxane walks in, wearing a mask and accompanied by the Duenna. Cyrano greets the Duenna and... (full context)

Cyrano greets Roxane, who takes off her mask. Roxane tells Cyrano that she has come to meet him... (full context)

Roxane tells Cyrano that she needs a confidant. She begs Cyrano to once again be the... (full context)

Cyrano asks Roxane what she sees in Christian. She explains that he is very handsome, but Cyrano points... (full context)

As Cyrano sits alone in the shop, contemplating what Roxane has just told him, Ragueneau and the poets walk in. Ragueneau is about to ask... (full context)

...by Christian’s insult. Cyrano, furious, asks a cadet for Christian’s name. Remembering his promise to Roxane, however, Cyrano forces himself to be calm, and goes on. He explains how he ventured... (full context)

...his bravery to his peers. Cyrano compliments Christian for his bravery and introduces himself as Roxane’s brother, immediately correcting himself and saying “cousin.” Christian is excited by this news. He asks... (full context)

Cyrano explains that Roxane wants Christian to send her a letter. Christian finds this intimidating—while he’s handsome, he’s extremely... (full context)

Cyrano then has an idea. Together, he and Christian will woo Roxane. Christian will be the “face,” and Cyrano will be the “voice.” Cyrano produces the beautiful... (full context)

...set in the year 1640) begins in a small public square in Paris, adjacent to Roxane’s house. Ragueneau and the Duenna stand talking, and Ragueneau explains to the Duenna that his... (full context)

The Duenna, listening to Ragueneau’s story, calls out to Roxane. Roxane is scheduled to visit a nearby house to hear a lecture of poets who... (full context)

Roxane emerges from her home and greets Cyrano. She gushes that Christian is brilliant and handsome—she... (full context)

The Count de Guiche appears outside Roxane’s house. He explains that he is heading off into battle. Roxane wishes him farewell, and... (full context)

Roxane asks de Guiche if he’s ordering Cyrano and his troops into battle out of spite... (full context)

De Guiche, now convinced that Roxane is on his side, tells Roxane that he’ll come to visit her in a few... (full context)

As de Guiche leaves, Roxane calls the Duenna and tells her to keep secret what she’s arranged with the Count.... (full context)

After de Guiche leaves, Cyrano emerges from the house, and Roxane, the Duenna, and Cyrano walk across the square to the house of Clomire, where the... (full context)

Roxane tells Cyrano that she’s sure Christian will attend the lecture. She tells him that she’s... (full context)

Outside Clomire’s house, Cyrano and Christian discuss Roxane. Christian insists that he’s going to wait outside the house for Roxane. After weeks of... (full context)

The lecture at Clomire’s house has just finished, and Roxane is leaving with her Duenna—they arrived far too late, and missed the entire lecture. As... (full context)

Christian begins his conversation with Roxane by saying, “I love you.” But he finds that he can only repeat his sentiment,... (full context)

Cyrano walks toward Christian, who has just done poorly in his first conversation with Roxane. Christian cries out to Cyrano, “Come to my aid!” Cyrano agrees to help Christian. He... (full context)

Christian calls up to Roxane. Roxane replies disdainfully that she doesn’t care to speak to him further. Christian, prompted by... (full context)

Cyrano continues wooing Roxane. He praises Roxane’s beautiful eyes and her sweet voice. As he goes on, his voice... (full context)

After Cyrano’s speech, Roxane begins to weep with love for “Christian.” Christian himself then calls out, “A kiss!” Roxane... (full context)

A Monk finds Cyrano and Christian standing outside Roxane’s house. The Monk tells the men he’s looking for the house of Roxane. Cyrano points... (full context)

Alone outside Roxane’s house, Cyrano and Christian discuss how to proceed with wooing Roxane. Christian begs Cyrano to... (full context)

Cyrano resumes speaking to Roxane, who’s standing at a high window. Imitating Christian once again, Cyrano tells Roxane that she... (full context)

Suddenly sad and happy music fills the air—the Monk is back. Roxane and Christian look down from the window, and see—of course—Cyrano standing below. Christian, feigning surprise,... (full context)

The Monk walks through the square, complaining that he’s still looking for Roxane’s home. He greets Cyrano, and then Roxane, Christian, and Ragueneau emerge from Roxane’s house. Roxane... (full context)

Roxane reads aloud a different version of the letter, so that the Monk can hear her.... (full context)

Cyrano stands outside, frustrated by Roxane and Christian’s marriage. Then he hears sad music playing—there is a man coming. Cyrano climbs... (full context)

Cyrano continues acting crazy, distracting de Guiche from the wedding taking place inside Roxane’s house. He rambles about space, pretending there’s a bear’s tooth stuck in his leg from... (full context)

The Count de Guiche hears Roxane’s voice, and there are sounds of claps and cheers from inside the house. Recognizing that... (full context)

Outside Roxane’s house, the Count de Guiche stares amazedly at Cyrano, Roxane, and Christian. De Guiche gives... (full context)

...be shipped off to fight, along with the rest of the cadets. He sarcastically tells Roxane that she’ll have to wait to consummate her marriage. Privately, Cyrano mutters that he’s not... (full context)

...approaching—it is Cyrano de Bergerac. Cyrano has just come from delivering his latest letter to Roxane. Cyrano explains to Le Bret that Roxane has instructed Cyrano to make sure that “Christian”... (full context)

...the enemy. Cyrano calls for Christian, who’s weak from hunger, and can only think of Roxane. Cyrano shows Christian that he’s written a new letter for Christian to present to Roxane.... (full context)

...to stand up straight as a show of respect for whomever the King has sent. Roxane then emerges from the carriage, much to the Count de Guiche’s surprise. (full context)

A carriage carrying Roxane has just arrived at the camp. Christian rushes forward to embrace Roxane, and asks her... (full context)

Reluctantly, Christian tells Roxane that she’ll need to leave immediately—a battle is about to begin. Roxane refuses to leave,... (full context)

Christian and Cyrano beg Roxane to leave the camp before a battle breaks out. Roxane refuses. The other cadets murmur... (full context)

Christian demands to know why Roxane came to see him. Roxane tells Christian that she’ll explain as soon as she’s finished... (full context)

...brought a cannon to the camp, which the troops should use in battle. He asks Roxane if she’s planning to stay or leave, and Roxane replies that she’ll stay. De Guiche... (full context)

...pikemen (soldiers bearing long spears) have arrived to reinforce the cadets’ defense. De Guiche leads Roxane to the pikemen. While Roxane is away, Cyrano tells Christian to be careful while talking... (full context)

Christian and Roxane talk to each other while Cyrano, Carbon, and de Guiche busily shout orders. Christian asks... (full context)

Roxane explains that at first, she only loved Christian for his handsome looks. Now, though, she’s... (full context)

Christian runs to speak to Cyrano. He explains that Roxane doesn’t love him at all—she only loves the letters he claims to have written. In... (full context)

Christian tells Cyrano that they must let Roxane choose between them. Cyrano says this is ludicrous—he can’t bear to think of Roxane turning... (full context)

Cyrano stands with Roxane. Roxane asks Cyrano what’s wrong with Christian. She guesses that he has doubts about whether... (full context)

Cyrano, seemingly satisfied that Roxane is capable of loving a man for his wit, not his face, tells Roxane that... (full context)

A group of cadets walk up to the camp, carrying something. Cyrano whispers to Roxane that Christian “was” a great, noble man. Roxane realizes that the cadets are carrying Christian’s... (full context)

Roxane crouches over Christian’s body while everyone else—except Cyrano—goes off to fight. Roxane says that Christian... (full context)

Cyrano, still holding Roxane, calls for the Count de Guiche. He tells de Guiche to take care of Roxane,... (full context)

...every single Saturday for the last decade. Fourteen years ago, Mother Marguerite notes, Cyrano’s cousin Roxane came to the convent to mourn. Since then, Cyrano goes to the convent in an... (full context)

As the nuns talk, Roxane appears, dressed in a widow’s veil. The Count de Guiche walks beside her. The nuns... (full context)

De Guiche and Roxane talk as they walk through the convent. Roxane tells de Guiche that she’s still faithful... (full context)

As Roxane and de Guiche talk, Le Bret arrives at the convent. Le Bret greets Roxane and... (full context)

The nuns then tell Roxane that Ragueneau has come to the convent. Roxane tells de Guiche and Le Bret that... (full context)

...to take care of him. They run out of the convent without saying goodbye to Roxane (who didn’t hear any of this). (full context)

Roxane stands in her convent, noting that Cyrano should be here by now—he’s always very punctual... (full context)

Cyrano de Bergerac approaches Roxane. He’s very pale, and wears his hat low on his head so that Roxane can’t... (full context)

Roxane asks Cyrano if he has anything to report from the outside world. Cyrano gives Roxane... (full context)

Roxane produces “Christian’s” letter—the letter that was stained with blood on the day Christian died. Cyrano... (full context)

Roxane then realizes the truth: it was Cyrano who wooed her fifteen years ago, using his... (full context)

...at Cyrano, shocked to see their friend in so much pain and suffering. They tell Roxane the truth: Cyrano was attacked that same day. Cyrano nods and takes off his hat,... (full context)

Cyrano turns to Roxane and tells her the truth: on the night that Christian appeared outside Roxane’s window, it... (full context)

Cyrano, falling to the ground, tells Roxane that he wants her to mourn him at the same time that she mourns Christian.... (full context)

...the ground, drawing his sword and vowing never to surrender to death without a fight. Roxane, Ragueneau, and Le Bret are extremely surprised. Cyrano boasts that, in spite of his ugly... (full context)

Roxane leans over Cyrano, whose eyes are closed, and asks him what “thing” he’s referring to—what... (full context)