The Unexpected Parallels Between “Cyrano de Bergerac” and “Westworld’s” Engerraund Serac

Greetings from London, my fellow tech enthusiasts and sci-fi aficionados! After a long day of wrestling with Python (the programming language, not the reptile) and contemplating the mysteries of the universe (i.e., why there’s never a cab when you need one), I decided to unwind by diving headfirst into the world of science fiction.

The thought I want to share with you today involves an intriguing comparison that might seem as strange as combining Turkish coffee with Swedish meatballs. I’m talking about the unexpected parallels between the beloved play “Cyrano de Bergerac” and the contemporary sci-fi series “Westworld”.

A Study of Duality

What struck me most about Cyrano and Westworld’s Engerraund Serac was the duality of their characters. As someone with Turkish and Swedish roots, I’ve always been fascinated by the concept of duality. Just as I navigate between the vibrant hustle of Istanbul and the tranquil archipelago of Stockholm, these two characters traverse their own dualities.

In one corner, we have Cyrano, a talented poet and soldier, exuding confidence yet plagued by deep-seated insecurity about his big nose. He projects strength while secretly nursing his vulnerability. In the other corner, we have Serac, the all-powerful tech mogul who seemingly bends reality to his will, yet is guided by an external force — Rehoboam, his AI creation.

The Symbiosis of Serac and Rehoboam

To truly appreciate the duality in Serac’s character, we must first understand his complex relationship with Rehoboam. Rehoboam, in “Westworld”, is a sophisticated AI system designed to predict and control human behaviour. Imagine having Google’s predictive search feature, but for every single human decision. Terrifying, right?

Serac is constantly connected to Rehoboam through an earbud, which provides him with real-time strategies and directions based on the AI’s predictive algorithms. Like an orchestra conductor with a ceaseless metronome whispering the tempo in his ear, Serac navigates the world guided by this AI symphony.

Yet this makes us wonder: where does Rehoboam’s influence end and Serac’s free will begin? Are Serac’s actions genuinely his own, or are they the product of complex algorithms? As a programmer, it makes me contemplate the control we have over our creations and the control they exert on us.

The Cyrano-Christian-Roxane Triangle

Turning back to Cyrano, we witness a different yet equally intriguing duality. Cyrano helps the less articulate Christian woo Roxane by providing him with eloquent words. He projects his feelings and wit through another, leading to a dual existence — Cyrano, the public soldier and poet, and Cyrano, the private ghostwriter and lover.

Again, we face a question of control and influence. Cyrano dictates Christian’s actions, but in doing so, he suppresses his own desires and feelings. He takes control, yet in doing so, surrenders his own free will.

The Complexity of Love

Amidst this duality, both Cyrano and Serac grapple with complicated forms of love. Cyrano harbours deep, unexpressed love for Roxane, while Serac shares a tragic bond with his brother, forced to alter his memories to ensure the success of Rehoboam’s predictions. Just like debugging a stubborn piece of code, they attempt to resolve their issues but end up entangled in the complexity of their situations.

Conclusion

Unravelling these dualities, we see Cyrano and Serac in a new light — as products and masters of their circumstances, striving for control while wrestling with their own vulnerabilities. They’re more than just a poet with a big nose or a tech mogul with an AI whispering in his ear. They are embodiments of the contradictions we all face.

So, here we are, having dived deep into the worlds of a 19th-century play and a 21st-century TV show. While we emerge from different time periods, we are connected by shared themes of love, control, and the intricate dance of duality. It’s proof that, whether you’re spinning lines of code or weaving tales of future worlds, the human experience remains a constant, unpredictable variable.

Thoughts? Opinions? Unexpected correlations between “The Lord of the Rings” and “Breaking Bad”? I’d love to hear them. Till then, happy coding, happy watching, and happy exploring the dualities in our own lives!