StudentShare
Contact Us
Sign In / Sign Up for FREE
Search
Go to advanced search...
Free

Europe: Miguel de cervantes and Don Quixote - Essay Example

Cite this document
Summary
Through the story of Don Quixote de La Mancha, author Miguel de Cervantes exhibits more than the biting consequences of truth brought by the part of history where men placed higher worth upon ideals as perceived in the beauty of the code of conduct rather than in the essence of…
Download full paper File format: .doc, available for editing
GRAB THE BEST PAPER97.8% of users find it useful
Europe: Miguel de cervantes and Don Quixote
Read Text Preview

Extract of sample "Europe: Miguel de cervantes and Don Quixote"

Analyzing Contrast Inherent to Don Quixote: Encounter Between Reason and Imagination Through the story of Don Quixote de La Mancha, author Miguel de Cervantes exhibits more than the biting consequences of truth brought by the part of history where men placed higher worth upon ideals as perceived in the beauty of the code of conduct rather than in the essence of combat in a real militaristic situation. In the narrative, Cervantes conveys how a man in the attempt to gain further wisdom of the chivalry could be severely torn between reason and imagination as such man becomes overwhelmed by the attractive externals of chivalric principles.

On expressing “Finally, from so little sleeping and so much reading, his brain dried up and he went completely out of his mind”, Cervantes illustrates Don Quixote’s depth of involvement in acquiring knowledge which eventually threatens his rational capacity to keep a sane disposition over matters of illusion. While the author was born during late Middle Ages to early Renaissance period, his principal character in the man of La Mancha prefers to dwell in recollection of the medieval times when men in pursuit of gallantry and knighthood in shining armour prevailed.

A look into the life of a knight back in the era of chivalry may prove reasonable for at the time, there emerged a system of ethics by virtue of honour, nobility, respectable courtship, and courage to defend the helpless. Don Quixote, nevertheless, lives at a point when chivalric deeds no longer apply and certain changes in the socio-political setting of central Spain have taken place to the extent that harsh realities of living long banished people’s belief of knighthood yet Don Quixote occurs to have developed his own philosophy out of a wild imagination which gradually detaches his sanity from the light of truth and timely use of appropriate reason.

Hence, the line “Too much sanity may be madness – And maddest of all, to see life as it is and not as it should be” makes reference to Don Quixote’s state of mind marked by attempts to justify the present by means of an inappropriate past. Don Quixote sets out in chivalric adventures on horseback with Sancho Panza to accompany him on a donkey, imagining the windmill to be a huge giant so that he draws out a sword to fight the structure just as he supposes it is based on the readings, ignorant of the illusory object his imagination has created.

Thinking of a conflict at the moment and playing heroic to bring it to resolution must be reasonable in thought but such thought is subject to justification of behaviour that should coincide with the concerns of the period in progress. To Don Quixote, chivalry is religion and though Sancho responds in opposition stating “I’ve heard that there are more friars in heaven than knights errant”, he takes pride in replying that there are but “few who deserve to be called knights.” Apparently, Don Quixote employs a valid reasoning yet that which is irrelevant and absurd with respect to the society of his time.

At this stage, a critical reader is led to a realization that passion for knowledge indeed can be sharply inspiring, however, one ought to be careful in guiding the process to the proper limits where deep regard for ideals must cause no distortion of sound reason by imagination. Thus, Cervantes proceeds with “To think that the affairs of this life always remain in the same state is a vain presumption … the life of man is ever racing to its end.”

Read More
Cite this document
  • APA
  • MLA
  • CHICAGO
(“Europe: Miguel de cervantes and Don Quixote Essay”, n.d.)
Retrieved from https://studentshare.org/english/1624768-europe-miguel-de-cervantes-and-don-quixote
(Europe: Miguel De Cervantes and Don Quixote Essay)
https://studentshare.org/english/1624768-europe-miguel-de-cervantes-and-don-quixote.
“Europe: Miguel De Cervantes and Don Quixote Essay”, n.d. https://studentshare.org/english/1624768-europe-miguel-de-cervantes-and-don-quixote.
  • Cited: 0 times

CHECK THESE SAMPLES OF Europe: Miguel de cervantes and Don Quixote

Don Quixote versus Oedipus

don quixote has appeared to be a true heroic figure for people, who see him as someone who fights against evil for the cause of dignified goals, and whose struggle finally makes him meet death with brevity.... … This paper makes a comparison of don quixote and Oedipus as a true hero from oral tradition, highlighting the main differences in their characters.... This paper makes a comparison of don quixote and Oedipus as a true hero from oral tradition, highlighting the main differences in their characters....
3 Pages (750 words) Essay

Exploring the Varying Perceptions of Honor in Don Quixote

Don Quixote was authored by the legendary miguel de cervantes Saavedra and the novel was published in two volumes in the year 1605 and 1615 respectively.... Course Date Exploring the varying perceptions of Honor in don quixote The list of literary world's most influential works and the history of Spanish Golden Age would be incomplete without the mentioning of don quixote.... hellip; The Ingenious Gentleman don quixote of La Mancha or simply don quixote is a Spanish novel that has been universally declared as an evergreen literary masterpiece and the greatest work of literature ever written....
7 Pages (1750 words) Essay

Is Don Quixote Insane

hellip; miguel de cervantes Saavedra has made excellent efforts to bring out the language used in the early 17th century, as this is the time of the novel set up.... The author of the paper "Is don quixote Insane" will begin with the statement that don quixote is the title character in a novel where he exhibits an exemplary character and one would find him hard to understand.... This paper explores that don quixote is semi-insane....
4 Pages (1000 words) Essay

Don Quixote: A Comparative Analysis of Novel and Musical

A common debate is whether don quixote represents an idealistic heroism or a persistent foolishness.... hellip; A comparative analysis of the original novel with a later musical adaptation illustrates the very real struggle which readers of the original novel have in judging the mercurial don quixote.... The complete title of the original novel is The Ingenuous Hidalgo don quixote of La Mancha.... How, therefore, does one compare don quixote against don quixote This is the purpose of this essay....
5 Pages (1250 words) Essay

Fighting Windmills: Encounters with Don Quixote

In the essay “Fighting Windmills: Encounters with don quixote” the author tries to answer the questions: Why do we continue to hold don quixote up as a hero when he is out of touch with reality?... His popular masterpiece, his novel don quixote, tells the story of a middle-aged country gentleman.... The reason for the popularity of don quixote lies in the fact that people of all ages find it easy to relate to the lead character....
3 Pages (750 words) Book Report/Review

Social Strata and its Apparence in Don Quixote de la Mancha

This work called "Social Strata and its Apparence in don quixote de la Mancha" describes one of the most recognizable characters in literature, the plot of the novel.... Such is the case of Sancho Panza and his adventures with don quixote de la Mancha.... nbsp;             It is evident that the primary reason why he chose to accompany don quixote was his desire to uplift his status....
8 Pages (2000 words) Case Study

Role of Civil Rights in Don Quixote by Miguel De Cervantes

The essay “Role of Civil Rights in Don Quixote by miguel de cervantes” analyses a well-known character famous for his zest for saving the helpless and needy with his knightly strength.... don quixote considers himself a knight and starts his journey as a knight in search of Dulcinea Del Toboso.... hellip; The author states that don quixote regards himself as a chivalric hero who has the responsibility to safeguard any deprived person he meets in the way....
2 Pages (500 words) Essay

Miguel De Cervantes/ Don Quixote Chapter Two

In that context, of particular relevance is a scene in the second chapter, where Don Quixote, dressed in his improvised armor and riding on his emaciated steed Rosinante, inadvertently without intention appearing to be the caricature of the knights celebrated in the classical… The ludicrousness of the situation gets further accentuated when Don Quixote not only takes the two wenches to be virgins of high birth, but also imagines the blowing of a horn by a swine herd to be the of the of the Concerned English Literature ic and Modern) 7 July miguel de cervantes – Don Quixote Cervantes classic Don Quixote is an utterly humorous satirical romance pertaining to knight-errantry in La Mancha located in central Spain....
1 Pages (250 words) Coursework
sponsored ads
We use cookies to create the best experience for you. Keep on browsing if you are OK with that, or find out how to manage cookies.
Contact Us