Miguel de Cervantes Saavedra was a great Spanish novelist, dramatist, and poet who lived in a period that spanned the
climax and decline of Spain’s golden age. He was known as the Father of The Novel and as the outstanding writer in Spanish
literature. His most famous masterpiece, Don Quixote, was ranked as one of the greatest novels of all time. During his life
Cervantes was a wounded veteran of a ferocious naval battle, and a captive of a eastern potantate. The incidents of his
captivity later became episodes in Don Quixote. His writings showed the influence of literary theory, pastoral novels, and
romances of chivalry.1
Cervantes was born on September 29?, 1547 in the university town of Alcala de Henares. His family lived at 2 Calle de la
Imagen, a street in a quarter of the city heavily settled by Maravos and Moriscos. Cervantes was the fourth son in a family
of seven children. He was the son of a surgeon and a daughter of the small landowners in nearby Arganda, but a surgeon in
16th century Spain was closer to a barber or a butcher than a doctor. For this reason poverty dogged the Cervantes family
throughout Miguel’s youth and also because none of the wealth or property acquired by his father’s family was shared with
Miguel’s family, who was looked upon as an incompetent provider.2
When he was twenty, Cervantes was in the retinue of the Cardinal Nuncio
Acquaviva and spent his service in Rome.3 Without the means for much formal education, he joined the army with his
brother, Rodrigo, in 1568. He fought in the battle of Lepanto where the Spanish established superiority of sea power
against the Turks. Cervantes was sick below deck during the battle and he insisted on joining the battle in a most exposed
position. He fought bravely, receiving two shots in his chest and a wound which rendered his left hand useless the rest of his
life which earned him the nickname the Miamed of Lepanto. Cervantes was lucky, however, and after six months he was will
enough to be discharged.4
In September 1575, Miguel and his brother Rodrigo, having secured permission from their commanders boarded the Sol
and in the company of three other galleys set out from Naples to return to Spain. A storm separated the Sol from the other
ships and on the night of September 26 Cervantes’ ship was attacked and overwhelmed by Barbary pirates. The pirates
returned to Algiers, where Cervantes was separated from his brother and was taken as a slave, He spent the next five
years on Algiers and attempted to escape several times. His first escape was in 1576 which Cervantes bribed a Moor to
act as guide and with eight others quietly went down to the edge of the city one night, and began the trek to to Oran. This
first attempt to escape failed because the guide deserted them.5
In August Cervantes’ brother was ransomed. Cervantes tried to escape again but he also failed this time because he was
betrayed. In 1578, Cervantes tried to escape the
third time but failed again. His fourth attempt to escape also failed in 1579 because he was betrayed again. In 1580,
Cervantes was finally ransomed by his family and a religious order.6
After obtaining his freedom, Cervantes reached Madrid in 1580, seeking employment to repay the cost of his ransom. He
hoped to continue his military career, but he obtained a job as a messenger instead.7 Cervantes later joined a circle of
writers, poets, and playwrights where he began to write verse and prose.8 During this period, Cervantes had an affair with
Ana Franca de Rojas, a Portuguese girl, and had a daugther, Isabel de Saavedra, who was left behind with him after she
deserted him. Shortly after that, Cervantes married Catalina de Salazar.9
In 1583, Cervantes published his first long work, La Galatea. Cervantes wrote many plays during the next 20 years, but he
found few producers who would present them.10 In 1605, his masterpiece, Don Quixote, was published and it became an
immediate best seller throughout the world, second in sales only to the Bible. The full
Spanish title is El Ingenioso Hidalgo Don Quijote de La Mancha.11
Don Quixote is about an aged and a poor gentleman, Alonso Quixada, from La Mancha, influenced by reading romances of
chivalry he travels through Andalucia in imitation of the knight-errant and venture forth to do good deeds by fighting giants,
rescue wench, and judge the approval of his so-called lady, Dulcinea del Toboso. On his journey to seek chivalrous
adventures in which he can gain honor and fame, he is accompanied by his fat and talkative squire, Sancho Panzo. In the
end Quixote is tricked by his friends and a scholar disguised as a knight. He returns home and wakens as an ordinary
country gentleman named Alsonso Quijano de Bueno, who soon dies a peaceful and contented death in bed.12
Most modern critics agreed that Don Quixote has another purpose besides humor, but a study of reality, or an examination
of the value of idealism. Many disagreed about the purpose of Don Quixote, but many thought it was a great novel.13 One
who thought this was Macauley, who said that Don Quixote is “the best novel in the world, beyond comparison.” This belief
was and certainly will be shared by lovers of literary excellence everywhere. Cervantes’ purpose was to ridicule the books of
chivalry, which enjoyed popularity even in his day, but he soared beyond this purpose in his wealth of fancy.14
“For my absolute faith in the details of their histories and my knowledge of their
deeds and their characters enable me by sound philosophy to deduce their features, their complexions and their statures,”
says Don Quixote, declared his expertise in knight errantry and also demonstrates both the literal and the symbolic levels of
the novel. The novel provides a cross-section of Spanish life, thought, and feeling at the end of the chivalric age.15
Cervantes became a minor celebrity and occasionally recognized in public after he wrote Don Quixote, but he publish
nothing else for the next eight years. In 1613, Cervantes’ Exemplary Stories appeared. It was ranked as Cervantes’ major
works after Don Quixote. In 1614, he published a long, peculiar poem entitled “Voyage to Parnassus. In 1615, he published
the second part of Don Quixote and Eight Comedies and Eight Entremeses, a collection of play. Cervantes’ last work was
Persiles and Sigismunda. He died four days before Persiles and Sigismunda was completed. Cervantes died on Saturday,
April 23, 1616 at the age of 69.16
Throughout Cervantes’ life, he led a life of hardship and disappointment. He was tempered by a small measure of
recognition from his contemporaries. At the end of his career, Cervantes was still dogged by poverty and he would never
know or profit from the worldwide acclaim Don Quixote would receive. Even though he lived a life of hardships, in the end he
still had good humor and faith which he said before he died. “Good-by, thanks; good-by, compliments; good-by, merry friends. I
am dying, and my wish is that I may see you all soon again, happy in the life to come.”
Другие работы по теме:
Romeo An Juliet Essay Research Paper hi
Romeo An Juliet Essay, Research Paper hi i need an essay about a character in romeo and juliet that demonsrtated maturity. in a well developed multi pagraph essay and say why you think the character’s maturity was greater than the other characters in the play.
My Vacation Experience Essay Research Paper Plane
My Vacation: Experience Essay, Research Paper Plane tickets in hand, my possible girlfriend and I embark on our first vacation to Cozumel, Mexico during the summer of 2000. I had known her for about 7 months and during that time i had grown very fond of her. Our relationship began to blossom and that in the near future we would begin to grow even closer.
Don Quixote The Misadventures Essay Research Paper
In the Medieval Period, noblemen known as knight-errants roamed the countryside of Europe, searching for adventure. They rescued damsels in distress and vanquished enchanters, witches, and evil lords. The novel Don Quixote by Miguel de Cervantes Saavedra takes place in this magical time. Don Quixote, formerly Quixana, loved to read books of chivalry.
Catcher In The Rye Vs. Don Quixote
Essay, Research Paper J.D. Salinger?s TheCatcher in the Rye can be compared to Cervantes? Don Quixote. Both novels feature naive protagonists pining for an ideal world. In Salinger?s novel, Holden Caulfield is a sixteen year old who experiences challenging and questionable events in the mid-stage of his adolescence.
Cervantes
– Don Quixote Essay, Research Paper Cervantes’ greatest work, Don Quixote, is a unique book of multiple dimensions. From the moment of its appearance it
Don Quixote De La Mancha By Miguel
De Cervantes (1547 – 1616) Essay, Research Paper It is surprising that Don Quixote should have come to be regarded as one of the greatest novels of all time, since
Don Quixote Essay Research Paper In The
Don Quixote Essay, Research Paper In The Ingenious Gentleman Don Quixote De La Mancha, Miguel de Cervantes contrasted the way that Sancho P governed his island to the way that the Duke and Duchess governed their land. This theme was developed over the entirety of Part Two. The first reference to government can be seen when the curate and barber visit Don Quixote, who has been at home recuperating for a number of weeks.
Oh Really Essay Research Paper Oh Reallyyou
Oh Really? Essay, Research Paper Oh Really, you think i am a lark, the dogs they run and bark, but when i say to them, shut up shut up shut up, you say to be nice to them,
Tracing Loyalty Through The Selected Classics Essay
, Research Paper Loyalty is a theme found in many classics. The three classics that are discussed in this paper are _Sir Gawain and the Green Knight_, written by an unknown author, _The Odyssey_ by Homer, and _Don Quixote_, written by Miguel de Cervantes. In all three of the masterpieces loyalty can be traced through the characters action and words.
Method To Madness Essay Research Paper Don
Method To Madness Essay, Research Paper Don Quixote: Method to Madness Don Quixote is a middle-aged gentleman of La Mancha who reads one too many books of chivalry and decides to become a knight. He polishes an old suit of armor, takes a peasant named Sancho Panza as his squire, and sets out into the world to do good deeds in the name of his love, Dulcinea.
Cervantes Report Essay Research Paper The Renaissance
Cervantes Report Essay, Research Paper The Renaissance was a time of rebirth of learning. The Renaissance was about 300 years long ranging from about 1300 to 1600. The Renaissance started in the Italian cities and spread to France and the German States, Holland and England. There were many artists during this time period.
Don Quixote And Le Morte D
’arthur…Comp Lit Essay, Research Paper In Malory s literature, men were knights, ladies were damsels, and magic was preponderant. By the time that Cervantes wrote Don Quixote, men got real jobs, the innocent damsel had become a myth, and magic was reduced to superstition.
Shane Essay Research Paper Sometimes I need
Shane Essay, Research Paper Sometimes, I need you more than I need air And sometimes I miss you more than I will forever, never forget the times that we have shaared. The are priceless
Poem Belong Essay Research Paper Where I
Poem: Belong Essay, Research Paper Where I belong I am weak, I am strong I will fit where I belong don’t know where it is for now but it will come, if I allow tomorrow, I start a brand new day
Miguel De Cervantes Y Saavedra Essay Research
Paper Miguel de Cervantes is recognizably the greatest author that Spain has ever created. He is word famous for his masterpiece Don Quixote. This paper will look closely into the life of this very interesting man. Miguel was born in Ancala Spain, on September 29, 1547. Ancala is a province of Spain. He was born to Rodrigo Cervantes and his wife Miraflores.
MIGUEL De CERVANTES Essay Research Paper MIGUEL
MIGUEL De CERVANTES Essay, Research Paper MIGUEL de CERVANTES Miguel de Cervantes Saavedra, born September 29, 1547, was a Spanish novelist, dramatist, and poet. Cervantes was the author of the novel Don Quixote, a masterpiece of world literature that was a great influence to other renaissance writers.
Gatsby And Don Quixote
“Romantic Fools” By Mike Tardiff Essay, Research Paper Jay Gatsby from Fitzgerald’s The Great Gatsby and Don Quixote from Cervantes’ Don Quixote de la Mancha were two quite disillusioned men. They were both perplexed in a self-constructed world of heroism and fantasy alternating into reality. Don Quixote was a dreamer, one who beyond all enjoyed a good adventure.
Don Quixote Essay Research Paper Cervantes
Don Quixote Essay, Research Paper Cervantes’ greatest work, Don Quixote, is an amazing parody with a realistic idea. Don Quixote is a country gentleman, an enthusiastic visionary crazed by his reading of romances of chivalry, who rides forth to defend the oppressed and to right wrongs. The theme of the book, in brief, concerns Hidalgo Alonso Quijano, who, because of his reading in books about chivalry, comes to believe that everything they say is true and decides to become a knight-errant himself.
Don Quixote Essay Research Paper Don Quixote
Don Quixote Essay, Research Paper Don Quixote: The Misadventures of a Lunatic Essay written by: drama___queen In medieval times, knight-errants roamed the countryside of Europe, rescuing damsels and vanquishing evil lords and enchanters. This may sound absurd to many people in this time, but what if a person read so many books about these so-called knight-errants that he could not determine the real from that which was read? Such is the case in The Adventures of Don Quixote by Miguel Cervantes which takes place probably some time in the fifteenth or early sixteenth centuries.
Don Quixote Critique Essay Research Paper Don
Don Quixote Critique Essay, Research Paper Don Quixote Miguel de Cervantes Saaverda 1st ed. 1605 Don Quixote, written around four hundred years ago, has endured the test of time to become one of the world s finest examples of literature; one of the first true novels ever written. It s uncommonness lies in the fact that it encompasses many different aspects of writing that spans the spectrum.
Scientific Revolution Essay Research Paper AP European
Scientific Revolution Essay, Research Paper AP European History Lin Malaitham Period IV Discuss the different beliefs, attitudes of Cervantes, Bunyan, Milton, Spinoza and Pascal. Discuss their skepticism/Dogmatic beliefs, their reasons behind it and your opinions.
Elian Gonzalez Essay Research Paper Emotions run
Elian Gonzalez Essay, Research Paper Emotions run high and opinions run irrational when it comes to the custody status of Elian Gonzalez. Many people insist that Elian will live a miserable life in Cuba because little Elian will not have the freedom that America allows it?s citizens. Yet at the when these voices, including Elian?s South Florida family, demand freedom for little Elian, they kidnap Elian from the love and parental guidance Elian?s father, Juan Miguel, provides.
Poem She Sat Essay Research Paper She
Poem: She Sat Essay, Research Paper She sat… helpless in her room praying to whatever god there may be to let her call to him. could god ignore such a painful cry?
Miguel De Unamuno Essay Research Paper Miguel
Miguel De Unamuno Essay, Research Paper Miguel de Unamuno SAN MANUEL BUENO, MARTIR La vida de Miguel de Unamuno no era muy fбcil sino era una de dolor y de pena y eso se representa en sus obras. Naciу el 29 de septiembre de 1864 en Bilboa Espaсa. Cuando era joven, su padre se muriу dejбndole sin una persona quien tenнa el papel de un hombre en su vida.
Oscar Romero Essay Research Paper OSCAR ROMERO
Oscar Romero Essay, Research Paper OSCAR ROMERO was born on August 15, 1917 in Ciudad Barrios, a town east of El Salvador. He was the second of seven children. When he was thirteen he declared a vocation to the priesthood. He went to a seminary in San Miguel and from there Rome. He was ordained in 1942. In January 1944 he was recalled to San Miguel by his bishop and was soon secretary of the diocese.
Ode To Boys Essay Research Paper We
Ode To Boys Essay, Research Paper We like them But do they like us The ones we do never fuss They don’t stop in And we wonder why We stress, we bitch We sometimes cry
Spanish Iv Essay Essay Research Paper Spanish
Spanish Iv Essay Essay, Research Paper Spanish IV Essay En El decimo, El abanico, La camisa de Margarita, Una sortija para mi novia, y Un oso y un amor muchos de los personajes del cuentos eran de clases diferente, habian de clase baja, media, o alta. Pero en muchos de los cuentos como El decimo y Una sortija para mi novia, la classificacion no era importante porque el amor era mas importante .
Personal Growth Experience Essay Research Paper Personal
Personal Growth Experience Essay, Research Paper Personal Growth Experience As a mother I have cared and tried to push my son s education so that he can succeed in his life. I came from a large family in Brazil. I wasn t the only child; I learned to share, how provide for myself, and for my 3 sisters, and 3 brothers.
SYNTHESIS Essay Research Paper SYNTHESISLiterature is a
SYNTHESIS Essay, Research Paper SYNTHESIS Literature is a diverse and bountiful area of intelligence where many ideas, ideals, and dreams can come about. Writings have come from as far back as the time of Jesus to whatever was produced yesterday. People have written superior works that can inspire, lead, and in the end, produce.
Tour De France Essay Research Paper Tour
Tour De France Essay, Research Paper Tour De FranceThe tour de france is the most popular bike race in the world. It is held in July Of every year. In France.More than 200 competitors race for about 3200km in 25-30 days. This race was started back in 1903 by an ex-biker named Henri Desgranges. Who at the time was the owner of a struggling french newspaper.