Miguel de Cervantes Saavedra (Sept 29, 1547 – April 23, 1616)

Was born to a poor family in the university town of Alcalá de Henares, outside of Madrid, Spain.

Miguel de Cervantes Was born to a poor family in the university town of Alcalá de Henares, outside of Madrid, Spain. Became a soldier. Fought against the Ottoman Empire in 1571 at the Battle of Lepanto. Lost the use of his left hand during this battle. Was captured by Barbary pirates on his return home. Was held as a slave for five years. Was ransomed in 1580 by his family and friends.

Miguel de Cervantes Returned to Spain. Expected to gain employment with a noble family. Took a government job as a tax collector. Was imprisoned several times for “unsatisfactory explanations of his tax-collecting activities” Cervantes probably came up with the idea for Don Quixote while he was in jail. The first part of the story was published in Was an immediate success

Miguel de Cervantes Unauthorized editions began to appear which, combined with Cervantes’ poor money- managing skills, never earned him substantial wealth from the enormous success of the work. Was first translated into English in This work has had a tremendous influence on all areas of art (operas, movies, ballets, musicals, painting, sculpture). Inspired the Broadway musical Man of La Mancha in Gustave Doré – 16th century French artist

Don Quixote de la Mancha While in prison, Cervantes came up with the idea for a story about a man who thinks that he is a knight-errant who performs feats of valor. The story describes the adventures of an idealistic Spanish nobleman who has read so many books of chivalry (the code of knight- hood) that he believes he’s a knight who must fight against the world’s injustices

Don Quixote de la Mancha He travels with his squire (a knight’s helper), Sancho Panza, who is an uneducated, but practical and realistic peasant. Don Quixote’s horse is named Rocinante. Don Quixote’s lady fair is named Dulcinea del Toboso.

Don Quixote de la Mancha Don Quixote has an idealistic view of the world. Sancho Panza has a realistic view of the world. The pair represents the struggle between idealism (living under very high standards; being a dreamer) and realism.

Don Quixote de la Mancha Modern critics disagree about the reason that Cervantes wrote Don Quixote de la Mancha. He says in the prologue (an introduction by the author) that he’s writing the story to destroy the popularity of the romances of chivalry. Throughout the book he does parody (make fun of) these kinds of writings.

Don Quixote de la Mancha Many critics believe that the story is an allegory (symbolic of truths and generalizations of the human experience). They think it might represent the eternal human quest for goodness and truth in the face of insurmountable obstacles. Some critics think that this work is a tragedy, even though it is satirical (uses sarcasm to point out faults) and comical in many episodes.

CHARACTERS Don Alonzo Quijana Sancho Panza Don Quixote Rocinante Antonia The Barber The Priest Aldonza Dulcinea del Toboso Malfato Samson Carasco Mambrino / Reinaldo the Bald The Knight of Mirrors The Duke & Duchess The Knight of the White Moon

Discussion Question List 3 different examples of the conflict of idealism versus realism in Don Quixote de la Mancha. Be sure to give SPECIFIC DETAILS from the story and make sure that your examples are distinct, separate, and specific.

Discussion Question themeThe theme of a story is the “central message or insight into life revealed by a literary work.” What do you think is the most probable theme for Don Quixote de La Mancha? Give reasons and support for your answer from the story.

You should listen for this quote: “My intention is to do wrong to no man but good to all the world. Are you all so content with your lives of safety and comfort? Are eating and sleeping enough for you? Do you not yearn for a voyage in discovery, of adventures, of great deeds, lasting fame, and battles for truth and justice? Judge me as a man who believes in the life of a knight-errant, to be cast off and set aside as a fool.”

You should listen for this quote: “I can still set the world to right because I can still dream!”

For each quote, you should be able to tell: Who said it? To whom did he/she say it? Under what circumstances did he/she say it? What did the speaker “mean”? How or why is this quote important or significant to the story?

Discussion Question At the end of the story Don Quixote says to Aldonza, “I think you are both.” What was he talking about? What did he mean? Do you agree with him or not? Why or why not?