The History of Don Quixote, Volume 1, Complete

The History of Don Quixote is a novel by Spanish writer Miguel de Cervantes Saavedra. First published in 1605, it is considered a masterpiece of Spanish Golden Age literature and one of the greatest works of Western literature.

Plot Summary

The History of Don Quixote tells the story of Don Quixote de la Mancha, an aging nobleman who has become obsessed with chivalric romances. He believes himself to be a knight-errant, and he sets out on a series of adventures, accompanied by his faithful squire, Sancho Panza.

Don Quixote's adventures are often comic and absurd, but they also touch on serious themes such as love, loss, and the nature of reality.

The novel is divided into two parts, the first of which was published in 1605 and the second in 1615. The first part is more episodic, with Don Quixote and Sancho Panza traveling from place to place and having a series of misadventures. The second part is more focused on the development of the two characters, and it ends with Don Quixote's death.

Themes

The History of Don Quixote explores a wide range of themes, including:

• The nature of reality: Don Quixote's obsession with chivalric romances leads him to see the world in a way that is different from most people. He sees giants where there are windmills, and he believes that every woman is a beautiful princess.

• The power of imagination: Don Quixote's imagination is both a blessing and a curse. It allows him to see the world in a way that is magical and wonderful, but it also leads him to make mistakes and to suffer.

• The importance of friendship: Don Quixote and Sancho Panza have a complex and often contradictory relationship. They bicker and argue, but they also care deeply for each other.

• The nature of madness: Don Quixote is often seen as a mad man, but his madness is not simply a matter of mental illness. It is also a reflection of his idealism and his refusal to compromise with the world.

Significance

The History of Don Quixote is a landmark work of literature that has had a profound influence on the development of the novel. It was one of the first novels to be written in a modern style, and it is considered to be a precursor to the modern realist novel.

The novel has also been praised for its humor, its wit, and its insights into human nature. It is a work that can be enjoyed by readers of all ages, and it continues to be relevant to the world today.

Key Works

• The History of Don Quixote: Volume 1, Complete (1605)
• The History of Don Quixote: Volume 2, Complete (1615)
• Rinconete y Cortadillo (1613)
• Novelas ejemplares (1613)
• Los trabajos de Persiles y Sigismunda (1617)

Quotes

• "The greatest madness is to think you are sane all the time."
• "The world is a book, and those who do not travel read only one page."
• "The only way to keep your head is to lose it."
• "A man's true character is revealed by the company he keeps."
• "The first step to knowledge is to know that we know nothing."