Don Quixote, written by Miguel de Cervantes in the early 17th century, is a novel that has captivated readers for centuries. The story follows the adventures of a middle-aged gentleman named Alonso Quixano who, after reading too many chivalric romances, becomes convinced that he is a knight and sets out on a quest to revive chivalry and defend the honor of his lady love, Dulcinea del Toboso. Along with his loyal squire, Sancho Panza, Don Quixote encounters a series of comical and often absurd situations that challenge his beliefs and test his mettle as a knight.
Don Quixote is a literary masterpiece that has influenced countless writers and artists throughout the centuries. Its themes of reality versus illusion, the power of imagination, and the nature of heroism are as relevant today as they were when the book was first published. In studying Don Quixote, students can gain a deeper understanding of the cultural and historical context in which it was written, as well as the techniques and themes that have made it such an enduring classic.
The essays included on this page offer a range of perspectives on Don Quixote, from literary analysis to historical context to philosophical inquiry. They are intended to provide examples of the kinds of insights and arguments that students might explore in their own writing about the book. Whether you are new to Don Quixote or a seasoned reader, we hope that these essays will inspire your own writing and encourage you to delve deeper into this timeless work of literature.
Prompt: The imitation of models (religion) in Don Quixote. In Miguel De Cervantes’ Don Quixote, Don Quixote is a hidalgo living in La Mancha during the end of the 16th century. He has a vivid imagination, and an obsession with reading books of chivalry. He decides to act as a knight errant, wandering and performing … Read more
In Miguel De Cervantes’s novel, Don Quixote, readers must accept suspension of disbelief in order to better understand the main character and his peculiar actions. It is Don Quixote’s actions that almost make the story so unbelievable that I immediately wanted to call Cervantes’s writing a story, and not history as he liked to imply. … Read more
Leo Tolstoy’s death of Ivan Ilyich deals with the not accepting his death until it right before his death, and Miguel de Cervantes book Don Quixote where the death on Don Quixote he was more accepting when his time came. Even though they both are dealing with death at the end they are not the … Read more
The first contention of René Girard’s seminal paper is that of triangular desire. Girard’s theory of triangular desire claims that the traditional cognizance of human desire, constituting of a subject and an object, is erroneous, stating that, instead, the veracity of desire depends on the interaction of three parties – the subject, object and a … Read more
Human beings are inherently social and interdependent creatures. “Society is something that precedes the individual,” as Aristotle contends; “It comes to be for the sake of life, and exists for the sake of the good life.” Nevertheless, the individual has become increasingly dubious of the world around him, recognizing its innate facility of deception. Public … Read more
A comedy is, by definition, a work in the genre of drama or literature which consists of jokes, comedy sketches etc. intended to make an audience laugh. It is from the standpoint of this definition, and with particular emphasis on the element of comedy in the light of Don Antonio’s statement, that I will discuss … Read more
Miguel De Cervantes Saavedra’s classic novel, The Ingenious Hidalgo Don Quixote is a wonderful tale about a man who abandons his normal life to pursue life as a knight. The characters in the novel such as Dulcinea, his love, Marcela, Maritornes and Sancho Panza, his squire happens to play a great and important role … Read more
During the life of Cervantes, Spain was a place of confusion, disparity and change. On the one hand, it was at the height of its European domination due to the huge influx of wealth provided by its American colonies, but on the other, it was suffering some of it’s most crippling defeats in its … Read more
Don Quixote is a complex and multifaceted novel, which offers a wide range of themes and topics to explore. Here are some key points and themes to consider when writing an essay on the book:
The power of imagination: One of the central themes of Don Quixote is the power of imagination. Don Quixote’s adventures are fueled by his vivid imagination, which transforms the mundane world around him into a world of knights, dragons, and princesses. By exploring this theme, you could examine the role of imagination in the novel, and how it shapes Don Quixote’s behavior and relationships with others.
Reality vs. illusion: A related theme in Don Quixote is the tension between reality and illusion. Don Quixote’s perception of the world is often at odds with the actual reality, leading him to act in ways that are absurd and comical. You could analyze how Cervantes uses this tension to comment on the nature of reality, and the limits of human perception.
Chivalry and honor: Don Quixote is obsessed with the ideals of chivalry and honor, and his quest to restore these values to the world is a major driving force of the novel. You could explore how Cervantes critiques and celebrates these ideals, and how they are portrayed in the characters and events of the book.
Social critique: Don Quixote can also be read as a critique of Spanish society in the 17th century. Cervantes uses the novel to comment on the social and political issues of his time, including poverty, corruption, and the decline of the aristocracy. You could analyze how these themes are developed in the book, and what they reveal about the historical and cultural context in which it was written.
The nature of heroism: Don Quixote is a flawed and imperfect hero, whose actions often lead to unintended consequences. Yet he is also a deeply sympathetic character, whose idealism and courage inspire admiration and affection. You could explore how Cervantes uses Don Quixote to explore the nature of heroism, and what the novel suggests about what it means to be a hero.
These are just a few of the many themes and topics that can be explored in an essay on Don Quixote. Depending on your interests and focus, you may choose to delve into other aspects of the novel, such as its structure, style, or historical context. The key is to choose a topic that is meaningful to you, and to develop your argument with close attention to the text and its many layers of meaning.
