Don Quixote - A Guide to Children's Literature

Author: Compiled by the Editorial Committee of "Children's Literature Companion"
Publisher:
Publishing Date: 2006-01-01
Features: Miguel de Cervantes (1547—1616) was a great realist writer, dramatist, and poet. He was born in the town of Alcalá de Henares in central Spain to a declining family and only attended secondary school in Madrid. In 1569, at the age of 22, he served as a page under the Cardinal and accompanied him on a visit to Italy, traveling through Rome, Venice, Florence, and other places, gaining broad horizons and being deeply influenced by Italian humanist thought. In 1570, he joined the Spanish army and served in the navy, losing his left hand in a battle. In 1575, while returning from Italy, he was captured by Turks and taken to Algiers, where he became a slave for five years before being ransomed. The latter part of his life was tragic; he was imprisoned several times on false charges and eventually died in poverty and illness. Cervantes wrote a large number of poems, dramas, and novels, among which the long satirical novel Don Quixote is most famous. This book tells a story set several hundred years ago, when the knightly era in Europe had already ended. However, the protagonist, Don Quixote, became obsessed with knightly novels and, dressed as a knight with armor, lances, and shields once used by his great-grandfather, set out on horseback to travel the world. He believed himself to be the greatest knight in history and was determined to fight against injustice and protect the people and the country. He endured hardships and fearlessly confronted his perceived monsters and demons, engaging in fierce and relentless battles with them. These monsters included giant windmills, rolling flocks of sheep, solid walls, and round beer barrels.