Don Quixote by Cervantes (Wordsworth Classics)

Description

“Don Quixote” is a classic novel written by the Spanish author Miguel de Cervantes. It is considered one of the most important works in world literature and was first published in two parts, with the first part released in 1605 and the second part in 1615. The full title of the novel in Spanish is “El ingenioso hidalgo don Quijote de la Mancha,” which roughly translates to “The Ingenious Gentleman Don Quixote of La Mancha.”

The novel tells the story of Don Quixote, a retired gentleman from La Mancha in central Spain. Don Quixote becomes obsessed with reading tales of chivalry and knights and, as a result, loses his sanity. He believes himself to be a knight-errant and adopts the name “Don Quixote.” He sets out on various adventures with his loyal squire, Sancho Panza, and becomes convinced that he is on a mission to revive chivalry and protect the helpless.

Don Quixote’s delusional adventures are a central focus of the novel, and they often involve humorous and absurd situations. He encounters windmills he believes to be giants, inns he believes to be castles, and various characters whom he perceives as noble ladies or fierce knights.

Cervantes uses the character of Don Quixote to explore themes of reality and illusion, idealism and pragmatism, and the power of literature and storytelling. The novel is a metafictional work, as it comments on its own narrative and the nature of fiction itself. Cervantes’ writing style blends humor, satire, and philosophical depth.

“Don Quixote” is not only a literary masterpiece but also a foundational work in the development of the modern novel. It is celebrated for its complex characters, its exploration of the human imagination, and its profound influence on subsequent literature and art. The character of Don Quixote has become an enduring symbol of idealism and the pursuit of noble causes despite the odds, and the novel continues to be studied and enjoyed by readers around the world.