Miguel de Cervantes Saavedra 1547-1616 September 29th (assumed) April 22nd or 23rd

Miguel de Cervantes’ Don Quixote de la Mancha Part I of Don Quixote (1605) Part II of Don Quixote (1615) Immediately into print Immediate popular success; slower to achieve critical acclaim Written for paying public

Renaissance in Spain Richest, most powerful nation in Europe Time of exploration Charles I, king of Spain, was the most powerful man in Europe Cervantes was born at a time when Spain was the richest, most powerful nation in Europe Charles I was an inspiring king—known for his bravery in battle

Center of Cervantes’ World Alcalá de Henares (born here) Madrid (died here) Esquivias, Toledo (married, began Don Quixote, and was imprisoned here)

Life of Cervantes Son of a poor apothecary Part of hidalgo, noble class Spotty education Fought with the Spanish-Venetian-Papal fleet Cervantes was wounded in battle- left hand maimed for life (1571) lost left hand “for the greater glory of his right hand” Apothecary (barber/doctor/surgeon). Despite hidalgo class, yet dogged by poverty and bad luck. His father is imprisoned for debts. Childhood was in Spain Joined the “navy” Maimed in The Gulf of Lepanto

The Battle of Lepanto (unknown artist)

Life of Cervantes Captured by Turkish pirates and held in Algiers (1575) Known for his daring escapes attempts Finally ransomed, depleting his family’s wealth (1580) On his way home from war, he was captured by Turkish pirates and held in Algiers by pirates. (1575) Cervantes tried to escape, was recaptured and held in chains. Cervantes was known for his daring escapes. Finally ransomed by family in 1580. Family’s wealth completely depleted.

Cervantes Travels Esquivias / Madrid / Alcalá de Henares / Algiers / Rome / Lepanto

Battle of Lepanto

Life of Cervantes No hero’s welcome the Spanish people had forgotten about the war and its heroes Married Catalina de Salazar y Palacios (1584) Cervantes’ daughter from a prior relationship was Isabel de Saavedra Cervantes returned home in 1580, expecting a hero’s welcome. But he discovered that the Spanish people had forgotten about the war and its heroes. Married Catalina de Salazar y Palacios in 1584—they never had any children, but Cervantes did have a daughter from a prior relationship, Isabel de Saavedra.

Life of Cervantes Deep debt = begin a literary career! Verse was uninspired Plays were unsuccessful Pastoral romance mundane Commissary for the Spanish Armada Tax collector Applied to go to New World Settled down to a literary career in order to support his family—deep debt. Verse was uninspired; his plays were unsuccessful; his pastoral romance mundane TO SUPPLEMENT He took a job as commissary for Spanish Armada—collecting grain to feed the army He also worked as a tax collector

Life of Cervantes But the banker to whom he had entrusted government funds went bankrupt, and deficits were found in Cervantes’ accounts Jailed more than once Cervantes began writing Don Quixote at this time First part appeared in 1605 But the banker to whom he had entrusted government funds went bankrupt, and deficits were found in Cervantes’ accounts He was jailed more than once. Cervantes began writing Don Quixote at this time. First part appeared in 1605.

Popularity of Don Quixote Popular! Enjoyed by all ages Cervantes received no royalties Don Quixote fakes He died in poverty in April 1616 Novel became quite popular—read and enjoyed by all ages. Cervantes received no royalties for his works—still poor Other writers began using DQ as a character, which angered Cervantes Even though Cervantes became popular and famous, he died in poverty in April 1616.

Don Quixote The first novel (sort of) Consists of many genres Lively and rustic dialogue A hero who sets out to reinvent his own identity Buddy genre—Don Quixote and Sancho; knight and squire (hero and side-kick) The first novel (sort of) Cervantes wrote prose (fiction) which explored the inner mind of a character--this genre is so new, it is eventually called the “novel.” Encompasses many genres Lively and rustic dialogue About a hero who sets out to reinvent his own identity Buddy genre—Don Quixote and Sancho; knight and squire (hero and side-kick)

Don Quixote Quixotic — exceedingly idealistic; in the grip of misguided idealism Term “quixotic”—a person who is quixotic is in the grip of misguided idealism The work depicts the conflict between idealism and realism or illusion and reality

Parody or Satire Parody of romance stories popular in Cervantes’ time, books of chivalry Parody—a magnification of the characteristics of a particular style to the point at which its absurdity becomes unmistakable. Satire may be a more appropriate term. Satire aims to expose an object or a person to ridicule and censure with implicit reference to a higher standard of conduct. Began as a parody of romance stories popular in Cervantes’ time. Books of chivalry.—Star crossed lovers—a knight and his fair lady. Parody—a magnification of the characteristics of a particular style to the point at which its absurdity becomes unmistakable. Satire may be a more appropriate term. Satire aims to expose an object or a person to ridicule and censure with implicit reference to a higher standard of conduct.

More on Satire “Genre of comedy directed at ridiculing human foibles and vices, such as vanity, hypocrisy, stupidity, and greed” Differs from pure comedy in that its aim is “not simply to evoke laughter, but to expose and censure such faults, often with the aim of correcting them.” But you will laugh. (Hamilton, Sharon. Essential Literary Terms) “Genre of comedy directed at ridiculing human foibles and vices, such as vanity, hypocrisy, stupidity, and greed” Differs from pure comedy in that its aim is “not simply to evoke laughter, but to expose and censure such faults, often with the aim of correcting them.” But you will laugh. (Hamilton, Sharon. Essential Literary Terms)

Writing about chivalry in 1600 In 1600, Cervantes was further removed in time from the feudal world of Song of Roland or the earliest Arthurian legends than we are from him or Shakespeare Books of chivalry had degenerated Parodies the pastoral novel with the section about Marcela, the shepherdess In 1600, Cervantes was further removed in time from the feudal world of Song of Roland or the earliest Arthurian legends than we are from him or Shakespeare. The literature that had expressed the medieval spirit of chivalry and romance had degenerated by Cervantes’ time. In addition to chivalric romances, Cervantes parodies the pastoral novel, with the section about Marcela, the shepherdess.

Overt Purpose behind Don Quixote To satirize or parody the genre of chivalric romance by showing what would happen if anyone were insane enough to take romantic, chivalric, courtly love conventions seriously and to try to live by them in the modern world (of 1600).

What happens to that satiric purpose? Cervantes juxtaposes reality and the high ideal values of chivalry Chivalry is judged against modern standards—but alternately, modern standards are judged against chivalry Cervantes juxtaposes reality and the high ideal values of chivalry Chivalry is thus not exactly satirized or parodied, simply judged against modern standards—but alternately, modern standards are judged against chivalry.

Effect on reader of Don Quixote Cervantes then makes you question which is better— Reality or illusion? Realism or Idealism? In his assumed madness, Don Quixote will demonstrate unwavering commitment to his purpose, although seemingly impossible and outdated it may be Cervantes then makes you question which is better- reality or illusion? Realism or Idealism? Because in his devout madness Don Quixote will demonstrate faith and commitment to his purpose, although seemingly impossible and outdated it may be.

Questions?