<p dir="ltr" id="docs-internal-guid-308a791a-4be3-ca63-5cdc-5329ada5d8f8">    <em>Don Quixote</em> is a spanish language novel written by Miguel de Cervantes and published in two parts, the first in 1605 AD and the second in 1615 AD. It's importance to western literature is immeasurable, since it was the first full-length novel published in Europe and it's characterization of the title character is complex and iconic. The story follows an idealistic nobleman who has spent all of his money on tales about chivalry and knighthood and decides to become a knight errant, righting injustice in Spain. He recruits his neighbor Sancho Panza as his squire and sets out on an epic quest. He imagines a beautiful princess named Dulcinea to give a purpose to his valiant deeds. The story is rife with comedy as Don Quixote imagines ordinary situations in the framework of a medieval tale, such as an encounter with windmills that he believes to be fearsome giants terrorizing the countryside. <em>Don Quixote</em> was written following several important historical events.  Cervantes had fought in the last Christian crusade in the Middle East. The Spanish Inquisition had occured, which had evicted a long-standing Muslim and Jewish presence from the region in favor of Catholocism. And finally, Spain was gaining tremendous profits from their ventures in the New World, changing the traditional society of peasants and aristocrats with a newly formed middle class.</p>
<p dir="ltr">    <em>Don Quixote</em> is thematically similar to a popular form of book at the time called the piqaresque novel. These books starred an underdog hero and were humorous, telling small episodic tales. They were written in Spanish because they were considered a crude form of entertainment, rather than the Latin reserved for highbrow literature. The main character would be someone of low-standing living in a corrupt world who outsmarts the machinations of those around him. <em>Don Quixote</em> plays with this idea by instead making the protagonist a delusional dunce surrounded by people who are much savvier than him. His companion Sancho is a realist who has to guide him through the everyday folk who are often baffled by Don Quixote's ridiculous assertions. Often times Don Quixote is defeated in his encounters or tricked into believing he has accomplished his duties. What sets <em>Don Quixote</em> apart from contemporary novels is the psychological profile of the main character. He is motivated by pure idealism and a belief in right and wrong that often conflicts with the reality he finds himself in. This theme eschews other picaresque literature which did not approach such profound questions of existence. It also tells a longform story that builds up on past events, weaving a complex narrative. <em>Don Quixote</em> was such a success that many copycat authors wrote unauthorized sequels. This motivated Miguel de Cervantes to write a part two to reclaim his beloved characters. Even past Cervantes' death, <em>Don Quixote</em> continued to be an inspiration in art. It has been adapted into plays and films, and in 2002 The Guardian published an article claiming it to be the world's best book in a poll given to influential authors. If anything it's status as a cultural artifact has improved over time and influenced countless people. Popular at the time it's status is now that of a formative work of world literature.</p>
<p dir="ltr">    I enjoy <em>Don Quixote</em> and find the satire to still hold up to todays society. The deeply held beliefs of the main character contrasted with what actually goes on around him echo an insecurity I have about having an immature view of the world. It's inspirational to see Don Quixote hold steadfastly to these ideals and funny to see him reason away events so that they fall in line with the story in his head of him being a courageous knight.</p>
<p dir="ltr">    <em>Don Quixote</em> is similar to the tragic work Hamlet by William Shakespeare in how the story focuses on the inner turmoil of the protagonist. Both works provide highly detailed portraits of the protagonist, going into depth on their appearance, beliefs, relationships, and the world surrounding them. Both are singularly obsessed with a goal that others either do not understand or challenge completely. One difference is that the delusions Hamlet experiences turn out to be based on fact instead of flights of the imagination, but nonetheless the visions of both protagonists lead to their mistreatment and downfall. Both men are highly pursuant of justice, neglecting everything else in their emotional and spiritual journey through the story. They are well-read and use what they've learned to inspire their actions. In Hamlet these actions form tragic consequences as the people around Hamlet die. In <em>Don Quixote</em>, they are humorous as the title character is battered around and forced to dust himself off. In the end, neither men can change the nature of those around them. Hamlet avenges his father's death but himself dies cruelly. Don Quixote finally realizes how crazy his behavior was and metaphorically kills the man he once was.</p>
<p dir="ltr">    <em>Don Quixote</em> is important to future generations because it raises the question of how to reconcile our dreams with our reality. In today's world many things are becoming possible due to the wonders of technology, and the potential for ill often outpaces the altruistic hope for peace and happiness for everyone. Instead of blind belief in an ideal world, Cervantes urges the reader to think first and consider what is happening around them. By imploring consideration and thought before instant emotional reactions, <em>Don Quixote</em> is a work that resonates with the fast-changing lifestyles of today that increase in complexity as time moves on.</p>
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<p dir="ltr">Bibliography:</p>
<p dir="ltr">Duran, Manuel. <i>Don Quixote and Hamlet: Strangers or Brothers? </i>Confluencia, 2004</p>
<p dir="ltr">&amp;nbsp; This source helped when comparing <em>Don Quixote</em> to another work.</p>
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