Cervantes
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Miguel de Cervantes was born in Alcala de Hanares in 1547 and was the son of a surgeon. He lived in Rome for several months as an adult. Also, during 1571, he fought at Lepanto. During this, he was captured by Algerian corsairs and spent five years as a slave. After this, he published "La Galatea," "El trato de Argel," and "El Cerco de Numancia." In 1597 he was thrown in jail in Seville because of money complications with the government. Once he was out, his publication of "Don Quixote" signaled his return to the literary world. In 1613, he published "Novelas Ejemplares," and a year later, he wrote the "Viaje del Pamaso." In 1615, he completed "Ocho Comedias y Ocho Entremeses." April 21, 1616, the day before he died, he finished his last piece, "Los Trabajos de Persiles y Sigismunda."
"I shall never be fooled enough to turn knight-errant. For I see quite well that its not the fashion now to do as they did in the olden days when they say those famous knights roamed the world."
Cervantes wrote "Don Quixote" after he was released from prison. The story focuses on the main character, a middle-aged man named Don Quixote, who goes on adventures throughout Spain to fight injustice through acts of chivalry. In this passage, the innkeeper is responding to the priest, saying that he will never try to live like Don Quixote because he realizes knight-errantry (wandering knights in search of adventure) is outdated. He is not against knighty-errantry, he just appreciates it from a distance. This is important because Sancho, Don Quixote's laborer, overhears the innkeeper's response which inspires him to return to his wife and children since kight-errantry is out of fashion.
Cervantes works contributed to the Renaissance in many ways. His most famous novel, "Don Quixote," illustrates Spain's diverse worlds. Spain at the time was caught in the uproar of a new age, and Cervantes tried to create in "Don Quixote" a place to discuss human identity, morality, and art within this time. Though the Renaissance gave rise to a new humanism in European literature, popular writing continued to be dominated by romances about knights in shining armor practicing the code of chivalry. In addition, Cervantes also included social and religious aspects in his novel. For example, in the second part, he emphasizes how unacceptable the arrogance of the Duke and Duchess are because they are of a higher class. He also discusses the Catholic Church he was briefly excommunicated from. When Sancho describes himself as an "Old Christian," he is actually representing his new mortality. In conclusion, Cervantes influenced many ideas during the Renaissance.
"I shall never be fooled enough to turn knight-errant. For I see quite well that its not the fashion now to do as they did in the olden days when they say those famous knights roamed the world."
Cervantes wrote "Don Quixote" after he was released from prison. The story focuses on the main character, a middle-aged man named Don Quixote, who goes on adventures throughout Spain to fight injustice through acts of chivalry. In this passage, the innkeeper is responding to the priest, saying that he will never try to live like Don Quixote because he realizes knight-errantry (wandering knights in search of adventure) is outdated. He is not against knighty-errantry, he just appreciates it from a distance. This is important because Sancho, Don Quixote's laborer, overhears the innkeeper's response which inspires him to return to his wife and children since kight-errantry is out of fashion.
Cervantes works contributed to the Renaissance in many ways. His most famous novel, "Don Quixote," illustrates Spain's diverse worlds. Spain at the time was caught in the uproar of a new age, and Cervantes tried to create in "Don Quixote" a place to discuss human identity, morality, and art within this time. Though the Renaissance gave rise to a new humanism in European literature, popular writing continued to be dominated by romances about knights in shining armor practicing the code of chivalry. In addition, Cervantes also included social and religious aspects in his novel. For example, in the second part, he emphasizes how unacceptable the arrogance of the Duke and Duchess are because they are of a higher class. He also discusses the Catholic Church he was briefly excommunicated from. When Sancho describes himself as an "Old Christian," he is actually representing his new mortality. In conclusion, Cervantes influenced many ideas during the Renaissance.
Canavaggio, Jean. "The Cervantes Project." The Cervantes Project. N.p., n.d. Web. 20 Feb. 2013.
"Don Quixote Quotes." By Miguel De Cervantes Saavedra. N.p., n.d. Web. 20 Feb. 2013."Miguel De Cervantes Quotes." Quote Collection. N.p., n.d. Web. 21 Feb. 2013.
"Don Quixote Quotes." By Miguel De Cervantes Saavedra. N.p., n.d. Web. 20 Feb. 2013."Miguel De Cervantes Quotes." Quote Collection. N.p., n.d. Web. 21 Feb. 2013.