Don Quixote De La Mancha By Miguel De Cervantes (1547 – 1616) Essay, Research Paper

It is surprising that Don Quixote should

have come to be regarded as one of the greatest novels of all time, since

Cervantes originally intended it to be little more than a hasty parody

of the sort of popular romantic book of chivalry of his time – and a quick

money-maker. The book did make money, too: it became a best-seller throughout

Europe.

Over the years, the general interpretation

of the novel has almost reversed. It is now regarded, not as crude, slapstick

humor, but rather, as a warm, human tale, depicting the conflict between

noble idealism and brute, unfeeling practicality. The foolish knight, once

seen as the butt of all the other characters’ jokes, is now perceived as

a symbol of noble though impractical idealism, and has given the adjective

“quixotic” to the English language.

In any case, it is hard not to sympathize

with Don Quixote, despite his misconceptions. His devotion to high ideals

in a world filled with scheming and base men is admirable. In fact, Quixote

sometimes seems to be the only sane man in an insane society. Certainly

lie wins the reader over with his sincerity.

Sancho, too, despite his coarseness, is

endearingly innocent. Bit by bit he becomes more and more like his master,

until, by the end of the novel, he has become almost an heir to Don Quixote’s

purity and idealism.

The book is so full of events, meanderings,

digressions, legends, conversations, and adventures, that a patient reader

will never find his interest exhausted.