“The most important human endeavor is the search for morality in our actions. Our inner balance and even our very existence depend on it. Only morality in our actions can give beauty and dignity to life." - Albert Einstein Say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on "Why Violent Video Games Shouldn't Be Banned"? Get an Original Essay Distinguishing between right and wrong is a skill that people learn throughout their lives. Individuals who choose positively rewarded options allow themselves to live with a clear conscience. Those who choose to make negatively thought options create a guilty conscience. In the play Cyrano de Bergerac, by Edmund Rostand, readers follow the story of a man who is deeply in love with a woman, but the woman loves another man. Consequently, the man agrees to help the other "woo" the woman; these events, while somewhat tilted against Cyrano, portray the man as a heroic character. Through Cyrano's decision to assist Christian, Rostand discusses moral principles and reveals that adhering to values makes a person honorable. Recognizing your beliefs creates a stronger personal drive towards your moral values. Cyrano makes his first appearance at the theater, where a citizen challenges his presence and states that Monfleury has a powerful patron and Cyrano does not. Cyrano declares that he does not need a patron and can protect himself with his sword. The citizen makes the mistake of telling Cyrano that he was trying not to look at his nose, which Cyrano takes offense at. “My nose, sir, is enormous. Ignorant idiot, idiotic idiot, a man should be proud, yes, proud, to have such a proud appendage of flesh and blood crowning his face, provided that a large nose can be indicative of a large, affable, kind, gifted soul. wit, liberality, courage and courtesy, like mine...” (Rostand, 28) This quote means that Cyrano recognizes how his nose is a part of him. He sees his nose as a symbol of the values he upholds. For someone, insulting their nose is like insulting the characteristics that make them a principled being. Knowing what you believe creates a stronger commitment to opinions. Choosing actions based on value rather than personal gain requires great strength. During the siege of Arras, Roxane arrives unexpectedly and the climax takes place. She tells Christian that she now loves him for his soul and not just his physical appearance. Christian, knowing that Cyrano is his "soul", tells Cyrano to reveal the truth to Roxane and allow her to choose between them. He then goes into battle and is the first to be killed. Once Cyrano learns of Christian's death, he no longer feels he can tell Roxane how he truly feels. "Something. YES. Whatever doesn't matter now. Here's something new to tell you. Christian – I swear this because it is the very truth of God – was a great soul” (Rostand, 147). This quote reveals how Cyrano does not want to contaminate Roxane's memory of Christian, and consequently does not tell her the truth. Although honesty is one of his beliefs, he lies to Roxane and maintains the ideal man he and Christian created. The distinction between right and wrong is based on one's perspective. As Cyrano reads the letter, which was supposedly written by Christian aloud, Roxane realizes that it was Cyrano who wrote the letters and it was stained by his tears. She recognizes the voice from years before that spoke to her from under the balcony. “His blood, however, stained by his blood” (Rostand 168) Cyrano is guilty of Christian's death and continually denies that he is in love with Roxane. Recognizes.
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