On My Honor

When All is Said and Done...

Introduction

Cyrano de Bergerac is a character who holds his personal honor above all else. As a result of this belief, Cyrano's life is one of triumph as well as one of personal sadness. Though he "wins some, and loses some," in the end, he suggests that he is absolutely satisfied with his life as he has lived it because he has lived it honorably. You, my friend, have been asked to participate in a celebration of this honorable life by delivering his eulogy.

The Task

In this activity, you will be researching ideas in order to write a eulogy that might have been given at Cyrano's funeral. The eulogy will be written at a later day, so keep your notes.

The Process

Visit Welcome to Merriam-Webster, and look up the word "honor."

	Pay particular attention to portions of the definition that relate to your sense of Cyrano's concern for honor.
	Take appropriate notes remembering that your project must include reference to denotative meaning of the word honor.

Comments: This site provides several synonyms for search words. Each synonym is linked to extensive information about the connotations of the word.

Visit Roget's Thesaurus and collect 3-5 synonyms for "honor" that are appropriate to the sense of the word "honor" as Cyrano would have seen it.

Comments: This site provides several synonyms for search words. Each synonym is linked to extensive information about the connotations of the word.

Visit Quote Search and collect at least 5 quotations about honor that are appropriate to Cyrano's sense of honor and how it guided his decision making.

Be sure to take note of the original speaker of the quotes you collect.

Comments: This site provides several searchable databases of quotations, both "classic" and "contemporary."

Collect quotes from the play attributable to Cyrano where he speaks of his own sense of honor.

	It may be helpful to use an online text of Cyrano de Bergerac. You can use your browser's FIND button to search the text for any key words from the play. HINT: don't forget to search for the word HONOR.
	NOTE: This translation may be different from the translation you read in class so you may not find the quotes to be phrased exactly as you remember them.

Comments: This site provides a complete online version of the play.

To search: go to “Edit”

“Find on this page”

type in the word to be found

Collect evidence from the play where Cyrano's actions reveal his sense of honor.

The eulogy will be written in class at a later date.

A eulogy might use emotional language, but it would probably not include too much that is critical of the "dearly departed." Visit Eulogies with Love for ideas on how to write a fitting eulogy. Take notes on how to write a eulogy.

Comments: This site provides some basic suggestions on what to include in a eulogy.

How You Will Be Graded

Your project will be graded using the following criteria:

Successful inclusion of the required elements listed below

	a brief statement referring directly to the connotative and denotative meanings of the word "honor" as they apply to Cyrano.
	3-5 synonyms for "honor" used appropriately within the context of your presentation
	at least two quotations from real historical thinkers who have commented upon the nature of honor.
	at least three "fictitious" comments, that might have been attributed to Roxanne, LeBret, and/or Comte deGuiche upon hearing the news of Cyrano's death.
	at least two quotes taken from the words of Cyrano (from the play)
	at least two references to specific deeds of Cyrano (from the play)
	some sort of call to your "audience" to consider the role that honor should play in their own lives

Quality of presentation