In cyrano de bergerac what is the importance of the quote "I had rather be myself...the cause of what must be

Answer 1

Here are the lines from the play that precede your quote. They give more meaning to Cyrano's self realization.

CHRISTIAN
Win me that kiss!

CYRANO
No.

CHRISTIAN
Sooner or later--

CYRANO
True...
That is true...Soon or late, it will be so
Because you are young and she is beautiful--
(To himself)
Since it must be, I had rather be myself
(The window re-opens. CHRISTIAN hides under the balcony.)
The cause of...what must be.

Cyrano is resigned to helping Christian win over Roxanne, and that he will be the reason for brining them together.

And, thus the play continues...

ROXANE
(Out on the balcony)
Are you still there?
We were speaking of--

CYRANO
A kiss. The word is sweet--
What will the deed be? Are your lips afraid
Even of its burning name? Not much afraid--
Not too much! Have you not unwittingly
Laid aside laughter, slipping beyond speech
Insensibly, already, without fear,
From words to smiles...from smiles to sighs...from
sighing,
Even to tears? One step more--only one--
From a tear to a kiss--one step, one thrill!

ROXANE
Hush--

CYRANO
And what is a kiss, when all is done?
A promise given under seal--a vow
Taken before the shrine of memory--
A signature acknowledged--a rosy dot
Over the i of Loving--a secret whispered
To listening lips apart--a moment made
Immortal, with a rush or wings unseen--
A sacrament of blossoms, a new song
Sung by two hearts to an old simple tune--
The ring of one horizon around two souls
Together, all alone!

ROXANE
Hush!...

CYRANO
Why, what shame?--
There was a Queen of France, not long ago,
And a great lord of England--a queen's gift,
A crown jewel!

ROXANE
Indeed!

CYRANO
Indeed, like him,
I have my sorrows and my silences;
Like her, you are the queen I dare adore;
Like him I am faithful and forlorn--

ROXANE
Like him,
Beautiful--

CYRANO
(Aside)
So I am--I forgot that!

ROXANE
Then--Come;...Gather your sacred blossom...

CYRANO
(To CHRISTIAN)
Go!--