#The Cyrano de Bergerac parallels are also not lost on me. What the Hell.

[ninadove]

CECILY: I don’t think you will require neckties. Uncle Jack is sending you to Australia. ALGERNON: Australia! I’d sooner die. CECILY: Well, he said at dinner on Wednesday night, that you would have to choose between this world, the next world, and Australia. ALGERNON: Oh, well! The accounts I have received of Australia and the next world, are not particularly encouraging. This world is good enough for me, cousin Cecily. CECILY: Yes, but are you good enough for it? ALGERNON: I’m afraid I’m not that. That is why I want you to reform me. You might make that your mission, if you don’t mind, cousin Cecily. CECILY: I’m afraid I’ve no time, this afternoon. ALGERNON: Well, would you mind my reforming myself this afternoon? CECILY: It is rather Quixotic of you. But I think you should try. ALGERNON: I will. I feel better already.

This is the epitome of romance to me… What do you mean you only met this girl because you borrowed your brother’s mask? What do you mean you had ulterior motives, but upon seeing her fell head over heels for her instantly?? What do you mean you’re going to reform yourself for her in one afternoon???

BUT IT GETS BETTER:

ALGERNON: Oh, I don’t care about Jack. I don’t care for anybody in the whole world but you. I love you, Cecily. You will marry me, won’t you? CECILY: You silly boy! Of course. Why, we have been engaged for the last three months. ALGERNON: For the last three months? CECILY: Yes, it will be exactly three months on Thursday. ALGERNON: But how did we become engaged? CECILY: Well, ever since dear Uncle Jack first confessed to us that he had a younger brother who was very wicked and bad, you of course have formed the chief topic of conversation between myself and Miss Prism. And of course a man who is much talked about is always very attractive. One feels there must be something in him, after all. I daresay it was foolish of me, but I fell in love with you, Ernest. ALGERNON: Darling! And when was the engagement actually settled? CECILY: On the 14th of February last. Worn out by your entire ignorance of my existence, I determined to end the matter one way or the other, and after a long struggle with myself I accepted you under this dear old tree here. The next day I bought this little ring in your name, and this is the little bangle with the true lover’s knot I promised you always to wear. ALGERNON: Did I give you this? It’s very pretty, isn’t it? CECILY: Yes, you’ve wonderfully good taste, Ernest. It’s the excuse I’ve always given for your leading such a bad life. And this is the box in which I keep all your dear letters. ALGERNON: My letters! But, my own sweet Cecily, I have never written you any letters. CECILY: You need hardly remind me of that, Ernest. I remember only too well that I was forced to write your letters for you. I wrote always three times a week, and sometimes oftener. ALGERNON: Oh, do let me read them, Cecily?

What do you mean she crafted this perfect unattainable passionate romance character that no one can ever live up to???? What do you mean you immediately said “Bet, I'll start studying right away”?????