"Don Quixote" is by far the most influential and famous novel in Spanish literature. The book has been translated into more than 60 languages and is still in print, centuries later. It has sparked some of the most important literary debates since the 18th century. The characters of Don Quixote de la Mancha and Sancho Panza are familiar to more people than most other fictional characters1. Furthermore, the tale is considered crucial in the birth of the novel genre in literary history.
It is often considered the first "modern novel", establishing the genre and thus influencing everything that followed. It is a parody of romantic chivalric tales. In the genre of the novel, it can be categorized as a comic novel, but also a picaresque novel. “Picaresque” comes from the term “Picaro” which means “rogue”. It is a style of prose fiction that depicts the adventures of “fickle” heroes, in this way, Don Quixote. Despite being deeply rooted in his personal experiences and observation of his time and society, Don Quixote is a work of fiction.
is a nobleman who is obsessed with chivalric novels and decides to become a knight. He takes the name Don Quixote, finds his faithful squire, Sancho Panza, and together they embark on a series of adventures, trying to fight evil and bring justice to the world, often facing reality through the eyes of his imagination.
Synopsis of the play:
Don Quixote, a nobleman from Castile, reads so many chivalric novels that he loses touch with reality and believes himself to be a knight-errant. He calls himself Don Quixote and together with his faithful servant, Sancho Panza, they embark on a series of adventures, which often end in misunderstandings and comic situations, due to the difference between Don Quixote's imagination and reality.
Key points:
Obsession with chivalry:
Don Quixote is addicted to chivalric novels and considers himself a true knight, seeking adventure and battles.
Sancho Panza:
Sancho Panza is Don Quixote's loyal servant, a man of ordinary reality, who often follows him in his crazy ideas.
Adventures and Misunderstandings:
Don Quixote and Sancho Panza travel throughout Spain, encountering windmills that think they are giants, villagers who see them as madmen, and other comical situations.
Idealism and Reality:The play clashes Don Quixote's idealism with harsh reality, highlighting the value of perseverance for a higher purpose, but also the need for balance between dreams and reality.
Classic work:
Don Quixote is considered one of the first modern European novels and has had a great influence on world literature.
The story of Don Quixote takes place in Spain and begins in the La Mancha region. He will make 3 trips throughout his journey, totaling almost 800km. La Mancha is an arid, desolate and monotonous region, with high summer heat waves that show a complete contrast to the classic chivalric novels that are usually green and sweet.
The duo also passes through the Sierra Morena, a mountain range that extends for 450km in central Spain. In Spanish culture and tradition, the Sierra Morena has a strong legendary atmosphere, with stories of bandits and thieves. Don Quixote then travels to Barcelona, a major city in Spain, where he sees the sea for the first time.
Iconography
Gustave Doré (1832-1883) was a French artist, illustrator, cartoonist, and sculptor who was behind what are probably the most famous illustrations of Don Quixote. He created over 200 illustrations for this novel. His work in the 1860s is said to have influenced the way Don Quixote's physical appearance is depicted today by directors and actors. He is famous for other illustration works such as Rabelais, Balzac, Dante, but also Lord Byron and Edgar Allan Poe. In 1866, he illustrated (woodcut) an edition of the Bible which was very successful.