Don Quixote: the Reality-Inspired Parts of Cervantes's Unreal Universe

Don Quixote, as is the modern name of Miguel de Cervandes's epic, probably is the most read novel of the entire world. Actually, Don Quixote appears to be the second most read book of all ages, after the Bible.

This is not the only decorating title of Don Quixote. Acclaimed literature researchers have named Don Quixote as the first novel of modern history. The pity is Miguel de Cervantes never enjoyed the fruit of his good work. An author of this era barely - almost never - were rewarded by their publishers for all their hard and good work.

Even if there's someone not having read the iconic book of Miguel de Cervantes, I suppose most of us know pretty much what the story is about. Don Quixote, a man committed to (or even obsessed with) chivalry, sets out with his loyal Sancho Panza to restore injustice in the world, according to the "values of the old times". This "expedition" leads Quixote in several odd circumstances, such as fighting against windmills.

 

 

Cervantes appears to have experienced several harsh conditions throughout his lifetime, which couldn't help but inspire his masterpiece.

Cervantes came from a rather poor family. His mother, however, was a woman of noble ancestry. Despite that, she was arranged a marriage with a surgeon, which was a disrespected job for the lower classes back then. So, Cervantes was hearing stories of nobility and chivalry from someone who had been detached from this world - and therefore overrrated in the eyes of her son maybe.

Don Quixote puts sincere efforts to impress his beloved Dulcinea; Dulcinea del Toboso. A big part of his escapades - and the trouble he gets into is the result of his efforts for his love. Truth is Cervantes had his actual Dulcinea, but things were kind of different in real life.

Cervantes's Dulcinea had feelings for him. And the two of them wanted to be together in a place far away from home. Cervantes didn't own the status he wished so he would be a wanted son-in-law in the eyes of a girl's father. Like in his iconic novel, he was trying to be the noble and admired man for the girl he loved. But there wasn't a happy ending in the two lover's story. The girl's father dound out. And he came to the conclusion that Cervantes was just a poor fella; nothing like the husband he wished for his daughter. End of story.

This wasn't the only real-life misfortune that inspired Cervates.

Don Quixote, during his numerous expeditions and along with Sancho Panza, liberates enslaved people from their bonds . And, well, Cervantes knew to the bone how it feels to be a slave.

 

 

Cervantes participated in war campaigns of the Spanish Crown. In the 1570's, this resulted into his captivation. He spent five years of his love in captivation and servitude, in Algiers. He had tried to escape more than once until he finally made it.

Don Quixote: a Hero maybe Laughed at, but always Loved

The popularity of Don Quixote even led to new terms in several languages: quixotism, in English and not only, is used to describe the behavior of people like Don Quixote: kind-hearted, romantic somehow, brave in their own way and kind of foolishly committed to ideals they try to serve while they can't or in peculiar ways.

Don Quixote, close to the real Cervantes, will always be a loved character we sympathize with. Maybe not the best help we woud wish for when in trouble. But definitely a man with a heart we wish a lot more people had out there.