Part 1: Summary
During a time of the rich and the poor, the cruel and the kind, one man dares to stand out and venture into the evil world where many will hate him for what he believes is good doings, and others will laugh and play tricks on him for their own amusement. Behind this Knight of the Rueful figure, also Known as the Knight of the Lions, follows faithful and loyal squire Sancho Panza, who in trying to care for his master’s madness, almost becomes mad himself. Join Don Quixote as Cervantes tells this daring story of magic, adventure, and two men trying to make the world a better place.
Part 2: Author
Miguel De Cervantes, writer, poet, and playwright, is best known for his classic novel, Don Quixote. He was a man with little money, little life, not much worth living for, yet striving to survive. Some say that he comes alive in the character of Don Quixote. With these facts alone we can see his courage. However, we do not know just from this what life was like for him, and whether or not he was a good writer.
In the year1547, a baby boy was born in Alcala de Henares; he was christened, on October 9th, Miguel De Cervantes. Cervantes was born the fourth of seven children. His was father a surgeon of minor nobility, causing them to be on the move constantly as he searched for more work. They eventually settled in Madrid and afterwards Cervantes became the attendant to The Cardinal Acquaviva in Italy in 1569. However, this did not last long. That same year, he joined a Spanish regiment in Naples. He enlisted for the naval Battle of Lepanto where he fought and was injured, costing him the use of his left hand. It is from this that he earned his nickname: the Cripple of Lepanto.
He continued as a soldier and on his return to Spain by sea in 1575, was captured by Barbary pirates and sold as a slave. He eventually became the property of the Algiers. During the five years that he was held captive, he attempted to escape four times; all were unsuccessful and luckily did not cost him his life. In 1580 he was released with the payment of 500 escudos, which his family had raised in order to get him set free. When released, he returned to Madrid where he held several small positions. His first play, Los Tratos De Argel (published in 1580) was based on his experiences as a captive.
In 1854 he married Catalina de Salazar y Palacios. He also had a daughter, Isabel, disguised as his servant, who came from an affair with an actress. A few months later he published his novel, La Galatea. This novel and his plays published around the same time had little success.
After leaving his wife, Cervantes traveled through Andalusia collecting rents and gathering goods for the Spanish Armada. These tasks he enjoyed very little.
Cervantes suffered with financial troubles and bankruptcy, and as a result was put in jail in 1957. He got out and moved to Valladolid in 1604, where he obtained the rights to publish Don Quixote. The first edition of Don Quixote was published a year later. He was soon arrested again, along with the women of his house, accused of a murder that had happened near his home. After being released in 1606, he settled down permanently in Seville.
During the last nine years of his life, Cervantes solidified his reputation as a writer. He published Novellas ejemplares in 1613, the Viaje del Parnasoin 1614, and in 1615, the Ocho comedias y ocho entremeses and the second part of Don Quixote. During this time he also worked on Los trabajos de Persiles y Sigismunda, which he finished three days before he died.
Cervantes died on April 22, 1616, the same day as that recorded for Shakespeare’s death. During his lifetime he wrote several good plays, poems, short stories, and novels, although they are not credited as classics. Of twenty to thirty plays that Cervantes wrote, only 2 of them survive.
Although there have been questions to Cervates’ motives and the themes of his writings. (Some believe that he wrote because he wanted to cause rebellion; others enjoy his works very much and could not care less what their themes are. He appeared to base many of his themes on his own life and the lessons he learned. Other writings of his, especially his poetry, are based on historical events.) There is no doubt that he is a classic author whose name has lasted through the ages.
(Note: I will talk about theme, influences, and style in Part 3 of my report. So please do not mark me down yet, I just did not want to repeat myself.)
Part 3: Analysis of Work
Classic: Such a word is applied to many different things. However, in truth, not all of these things fulfill the meaning of the word. In our current case we may apply the word to both the author and his writings.
The word classic has many meanings, as do most of the words in our vocabulary. You will find in the dictionary that it means, having lasting significance or worth; enduring. Among other definitions would be a classic piece, characteristic of literature, simple and harmonious, elegant, having historical or literary associations. Even more definitions would be an artist, author, or work generally considered to be of the highest rank or excellence, conforming to the best authority in literature and art, a classical style, or an artist who has created a classic work. Many of these definitions apply to the famous author, Miguel de Cervantes.
Much can be said of Cervantes and his writings. He wrote plays, poetry, short stories, and novels. His poetry was never well versed or written in a way that people would think well written. His plays were performed throughout his career as a writer, but never received much success. With this in his pocket, Cervantes was not a very popular writer. In fact, his writings, not including Don Quixote, were never very much admired. He, himself, admitted that his poetry had failed technically and that he had substantial lack in poetic talent. Even with this his life long goal was to become a famous playwright.
It was not his plays that gave him his success as a writer. His novel, Don Quixote, is what brought his reputation as a good writer to the people’s eyes. It is a well known book; its reputation has lasted from generation to generation. It is said that in the 17th century it was greeted in laughter, in the 18th century by a smile, and in the 19th century with a tear.
There is no doubt that Don Quixote has lasted through the ages. It was considered the most amusing novel of the century during Cervantes’ time. One story that is told (and in it proves that it was considered the most amusing novel of the century during Cervantes’ time) of King Philip III of Spain. Philip was walking down a road and saw a man on the side of the road laughing so hard that tears were rolling down his cheeks. “That man is either crazy or he is reading Don Quixote,” he said.
The book has had a big impact on many things throughout the ages. For certain reasons, Emperor Charles V felt that, in 1153, he needed to forbid the introduction of the chivalrous romances into the American Indies. This would have been extended to Spain, but up to 1602, the novels of knight-errantry continued to appear. Cervantes’ book, Don Quixote was published three years later. This accomplished what the previous censorship had failed to achieve, for after Don Quixote’s appearance, no new chivalry books were issued, and the reprinting of the old ones practically stopped dead in its tracks.
The author’s intended theme of the book is unknown. Many believe that it was intended to satirize certain noble personages of the time. Others would say that this is not true, and that it was only meant to attack pseudo-chivalry. Most likely it was intended as a work of entertainment. The work has been appreciated as a satire on unrealistic extremism, as an exposition of the tragedy of idealism in a corrupt world, and as an unforgettable description of the transforming power of illusion.
Don Quixote has had an indelible effect on the development of the European novel. Since its first publishing, it has been translated into every language of the world. It is also the world’s most published book, besides the Bible.
Not only this, but translations of Don Quixote have brought about certain expressions in the English language such as: "sky's the limit;" "thanks for nothing;" "a finger in every pie’" "paid in his own coin;" "a wild-goose chase;" "mind your own business;" "think before you speak;" "forgive and forget;" "to smell a rat;" "turning over a new leaf;" "the haves and have-nots;" "born with a silver spoon in his mouth;" "the pot calling the kettle black;" and "you've seen nothing yet."
Cervantes has had a big influence on the writers of his time as well as on the generations ahead of him. His influence is seen among the works of Sir Walter Scott, Charles Dickens, Gustave Flaubert, Herman Melville, Fyodor Dostoyevsky, also in the works of James Joyce and Jorge Luis Borges, who wrote a short story about an author, Pierre Menard, who undertook to compose Don Quixote.
Not only has Cervantes influenced other famous writers, but great thinkers as well, such as Sigmund Freud, who gave Cervantes credit for inspiring some of his psychoanalytical discoveries.
Through all this we can see that both Cervantes and his book, Don Quixote, are classic. They are original, have lasted from generation to generation, and have had great impact on many lives. Annually, the Cervantes Prize, sponsored by the Spanish Ministry of Culture, offers the highest honor of the Spanish language to one literary work following the footsteps of the spirit of Don Quixote. Not only this, but we learn lessons and see certain themes within this book that encourage us to be nicer to those around us and to stand out, no matter what the world thinks, for what we believe is right.
During a time of the rich and the poor, the cruel and the kind, one man dares to stand out and venture into the evil world where many will hate him for what he believes is good doings, and others will laugh and play tricks on him for their own amusement. Behind this Knight of the Rueful figure, also Known as the Knight of the Lions, follows faithful and loyal squire Sancho Panza, who in trying to care for his master’s madness, almost becomes mad himself. Join Don Quixote as Cervantes tells this daring story of magic, adventure, and two men trying to make the world a better place.
Part 2: Author
Miguel De Cervantes, writer, poet, and playwright, is best known for his classic novel, Don Quixote. He was a man with little money, little life, not much worth living for, yet striving to survive. Some say that he comes alive in the character of Don Quixote. With these facts alone we can see his courage. However, we do not know just from this what life was like for him, and whether or not he was a good writer.
In the year1547, a baby boy was born in Alcala de Henares; he was christened, on October 9th, Miguel De Cervantes. Cervantes was born the fourth of seven children. His was father a surgeon of minor nobility, causing them to be on the move constantly as he searched for more work. They eventually settled in Madrid and afterwards Cervantes became the attendant to The Cardinal Acquaviva in Italy in 1569. However, this did not last long. That same year, he joined a Spanish regiment in Naples. He enlisted for the naval Battle of Lepanto where he fought and was injured, costing him the use of his left hand. It is from this that he earned his nickname: the Cripple of Lepanto.
He continued as a soldier and on his return to Spain by sea in 1575, was captured by Barbary pirates and sold as a slave. He eventually became the property of the Algiers. During the five years that he was held captive, he attempted to escape four times; all were unsuccessful and luckily did not cost him his life. In 1580 he was released with the payment of 500 escudos, which his family had raised in order to get him set free. When released, he returned to Madrid where he held several small positions. His first play, Los Tratos De Argel (published in 1580) was based on his experiences as a captive.
In 1854 he married Catalina de Salazar y Palacios. He also had a daughter, Isabel, disguised as his servant, who came from an affair with an actress. A few months later he published his novel, La Galatea. This novel and his plays published around the same time had little success.
After leaving his wife, Cervantes traveled through Andalusia collecting rents and gathering goods for the Spanish Armada. These tasks he enjoyed very little.
Cervantes suffered with financial troubles and bankruptcy, and as a result was put in jail in 1957. He got out and moved to Valladolid in 1604, where he obtained the rights to publish Don Quixote. The first edition of Don Quixote was published a year later. He was soon arrested again, along with the women of his house, accused of a murder that had happened near his home. After being released in 1606, he settled down permanently in Seville.
During the last nine years of his life, Cervantes solidified his reputation as a writer. He published Novellas ejemplares in 1613, the Viaje del Parnasoin 1614, and in 1615, the Ocho comedias y ocho entremeses and the second part of Don Quixote. During this time he also worked on Los trabajos de Persiles y Sigismunda, which he finished three days before he died.
Cervantes died on April 22, 1616, the same day as that recorded for Shakespeare’s death. During his lifetime he wrote several good plays, poems, short stories, and novels, although they are not credited as classics. Of twenty to thirty plays that Cervantes wrote, only 2 of them survive.
Although there have been questions to Cervates’ motives and the themes of his writings. (Some believe that he wrote because he wanted to cause rebellion; others enjoy his works very much and could not care less what their themes are. He appeared to base many of his themes on his own life and the lessons he learned. Other writings of his, especially his poetry, are based on historical events.) There is no doubt that he is a classic author whose name has lasted through the ages.
(Note: I will talk about theme, influences, and style in Part 3 of my report. So please do not mark me down yet, I just did not want to repeat myself.)
Part 3: Analysis of Work
Classic: Such a word is applied to many different things. However, in truth, not all of these things fulfill the meaning of the word. In our current case we may apply the word to both the author and his writings.
The word classic has many meanings, as do most of the words in our vocabulary. You will find in the dictionary that it means, having lasting significance or worth; enduring. Among other definitions would be a classic piece, characteristic of literature, simple and harmonious, elegant, having historical or literary associations. Even more definitions would be an artist, author, or work generally considered to be of the highest rank or excellence, conforming to the best authority in literature and art, a classical style, or an artist who has created a classic work. Many of these definitions apply to the famous author, Miguel de Cervantes.
Much can be said of Cervantes and his writings. He wrote plays, poetry, short stories, and novels. His poetry was never well versed or written in a way that people would think well written. His plays were performed throughout his career as a writer, but never received much success. With this in his pocket, Cervantes was not a very popular writer. In fact, his writings, not including Don Quixote, were never very much admired. He, himself, admitted that his poetry had failed technically and that he had substantial lack in poetic talent. Even with this his life long goal was to become a famous playwright.
It was not his plays that gave him his success as a writer. His novel, Don Quixote, is what brought his reputation as a good writer to the people’s eyes. It is a well known book; its reputation has lasted from generation to generation. It is said that in the 17th century it was greeted in laughter, in the 18th century by a smile, and in the 19th century with a tear.
There is no doubt that Don Quixote has lasted through the ages. It was considered the most amusing novel of the century during Cervantes’ time. One story that is told (and in it proves that it was considered the most amusing novel of the century during Cervantes’ time) of King Philip III of Spain. Philip was walking down a road and saw a man on the side of the road laughing so hard that tears were rolling down his cheeks. “That man is either crazy or he is reading Don Quixote,” he said.
The book has had a big impact on many things throughout the ages. For certain reasons, Emperor Charles V felt that, in 1153, he needed to forbid the introduction of the chivalrous romances into the American Indies. This would have been extended to Spain, but up to 1602, the novels of knight-errantry continued to appear. Cervantes’ book, Don Quixote was published three years later. This accomplished what the previous censorship had failed to achieve, for after Don Quixote’s appearance, no new chivalry books were issued, and the reprinting of the old ones practically stopped dead in its tracks.
The author’s intended theme of the book is unknown. Many believe that it was intended to satirize certain noble personages of the time. Others would say that this is not true, and that it was only meant to attack pseudo-chivalry. Most likely it was intended as a work of entertainment. The work has been appreciated as a satire on unrealistic extremism, as an exposition of the tragedy of idealism in a corrupt world, and as an unforgettable description of the transforming power of illusion.
Don Quixote has had an indelible effect on the development of the European novel. Since its first publishing, it has been translated into every language of the world. It is also the world’s most published book, besides the Bible.
Not only this, but translations of Don Quixote have brought about certain expressions in the English language such as: "sky's the limit;" "thanks for nothing;" "a finger in every pie’" "paid in his own coin;" "a wild-goose chase;" "mind your own business;" "think before you speak;" "forgive and forget;" "to smell a rat;" "turning over a new leaf;" "the haves and have-nots;" "born with a silver spoon in his mouth;" "the pot calling the kettle black;" and "you've seen nothing yet."
Cervantes has had a big influence on the writers of his time as well as on the generations ahead of him. His influence is seen among the works of Sir Walter Scott, Charles Dickens, Gustave Flaubert, Herman Melville, Fyodor Dostoyevsky, also in the works of James Joyce and Jorge Luis Borges, who wrote a short story about an author, Pierre Menard, who undertook to compose Don Quixote.
Not only has Cervantes influenced other famous writers, but great thinkers as well, such as Sigmund Freud, who gave Cervantes credit for inspiring some of his psychoanalytical discoveries.
Through all this we can see that both Cervantes and his book, Don Quixote, are classic. They are original, have lasted from generation to generation, and have had great impact on many lives. Annually, the Cervantes Prize, sponsored by the Spanish Ministry of Culture, offers the highest honor of the Spanish language to one literary work following the footsteps of the spirit of Don Quixote. Not only this, but we learn lessons and see certain themes within this book that encourage us to be nicer to those around us and to stand out, no matter what the world thinks, for what we believe is right.
Bibliography
· Cervantes, Miguel De. Don Quixote, Abridged Ed. Translated by Walter Starkie. New York: Signet Classic, 2003
· Cervantes, Miguel De. Don Quixote. Translated by Walter Starkie. New York: New American Library, 1979.
· Predmore, Richard. Cervantes. New York: Dodd, Mead, & Co., 1973.
· Busoni, Rafaello. The Story of Miguel Cervantes – the Man Who Was Don Quixote. Edited by Johanna Johnston. New Jersey: Prentice Hall, Inc., 1958.
· Duran, Manuel. Cervantes. Edited by Sylvie E. Bowman, Gerald E. Wade, and Janet Winecoff Diaz. New York: Twayne Publishers, Inc., 1947.
· Giants of World Literature – Cervantes – His Life - His Times - His Works. Translated by Salvador Attanasio. Italy: American Heritage Press, 1970.
· “Miguel de Cervantes 1547-1616 - surname in full CERVANTES SAAVEDRA - nickname: Cripple of Lepanto” <http://www.kirjasto.sci.fi/cervante.htm>
· “Miguel de Cervantes Saavedra” <http://coloquio.com/famosos/cervante.html>
· Cervantes Saavedra, Miguel de. Sixth Edition of the Columbia Encyclopedia. Unknown City of Publication: Unknown Press, 2001.
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