The exploration of idealism, madness, and the human condition
in Don Quixote
Intro
Characters in the Tale
The Story Unfolds
Review
Final Thoughts
Intro
I recently delved into the renowned masterpiece "Don Quixote," a name so famous that even those who haven't read it are familiar with it. While I knew it belonged to the realm of classic literature, discovering that it was written in the 1600s came as a surprise, making me realize its antiquity. Consequently, the narrative style and structure appeared somewhat unfamiliar compared to contemporary works. It felt like tackling a long-overdue assignment as I finally picked up this novel that had been on my list for ages.
Often hailed as the world's first modern novel, it's been acclaimed by the Nobel Institute as one of the greatest novels in history, a testament to its enduring value transcending epochs.
Characters in the Tale
Don Quixote, also known as "Don Quijote de la Mancha," is portrayed as a knight errant, a wanderer seeking adventures. Alongside him is Sancho Panza, a simple farmer turned squire, faithfully following Don Quixote on his quests. Don Quixote's imagination conjures up the fictional lady, "Dulcinea del Toboso," whom he deeply loves, despite her being merely a peasant girl. Together, they mount the lanky steed, "Rocinante," embarking on their journeys across the countryside.
The Story Unfolds
This work, composed in episodic fashion, lacks a continuous plot due to its framed structure. Nevertheless, let's delve into the overarching storyline, as this masterpiece is rich in episodes.
Don Quixote is an ordinary lower nobleman living in the region of La Mancha. He identifies himself as a knight-errant, a nobleman without rank, driven by his obsession with the chivalric novels of the time. Due to his immersion in these tales, he becomes deluded into believing himself to be a knight who must undertake adventures. He sets off on three separate adventures, each revolving around his proclaimed love for a fictional lady.
In his first solo adventure, he is defeated in battle and returns home quickly, bruised and defeated. The village priest and barber, recognizing his madness induced by chivalric novels, burn most of his books, leaving only a few untouched. Despite this, Don Quixote remains steadfast in his belief to pursue knighthood, convincing a local farmer, Sancho Panza, to become his squire and accompany him on his second adventure. Sancho follows Don Quixote because Don Quixote promises to make him a governor of an island when he becomes an emperor. Their adventures, marked by Don Quixote's madness and Sancho's simple loyalty, create a series of comical episodes.
One of the most famous scenes in Don Quixote, the windmill encounter, occurs during their second adventure. This incident is so ingrained in popular culture that those encountering the lengthy novel later express surprise at its rich and dense content.
Their second adventure, which unfolds with various twists and turns, is forcibly ended by the Duke and Duchess, who deceive Don Quixote and Sancho into returning to the village by pretending to be characters from chivalric novels. They believe that by bringing Don Quixote back to the village, they can find a way to cure his madness. However, their efforts prove futile, as Don Quixote remains resolute in his beliefs.
Undeterred, Don Quixote and Sancho embark on their third adventure, where they encounter the Duke and Duchess once again. This third adventure takes place after the publication of the first part of Don Quixote's story, and the Duke and Duchess, amused by Don Quixote's madness, orchestrate various events to indulge in his fantasies. They even appoint Sancho as the governor of a province, where he surprisingly governs wisely. However, Sancho soon realizes that he is not cut out for such a role and returns to Don Quixote to continue their adventures.
After their adventures, Don Quixote and Sancho Panza arrive in Barcelona, where Don Quixote engages in a duel with the Knight of the White Moon. Unfortunately, Don Quixote is defeated in the duel and, true to his promise, returns to his hometown. However, it is later revealed that the Knight of the White Moon was a fabrication orchestrated by the village priest and barber to put an end to Don Quixote's knightly activities. They manage to defeat him and send him back home.
Back in his hometown, Don Quixote loses all zest for life, and his health deteriorates significantly. Unable to continue his chivalric activities, which he once believed to be the essence of his life, he suffers greatly both physically and mentally. Concerned, the village priest and barber, along with Sancho Panza, try to reignite Don Quixote's passion for chivalry to restore his health. However, by then, Don Quixote has already realized that chivalry is nothing but a fantasy.
In the end, he fails to regain his health and quietly succumbs to death.
Review
When considering the protagonists of the novel, Don Quixote and his loyal squire Sancho Panza, one is struck by Don Quixote's belief in himself as a knight-errant, despite being an ordinary man from Spain. He holds onto the conviction that he exists to carry out chivalric deeds in the world. He fearlessly pursues adventures, forsaking his comfortable life.
It's fascinating how one's perception of oneself can shape the course of life. One can either live a passive existence or embark on a journey akin to Don Quixote's, pursuing dreams and goals. Despite facing numerous trials and failures during his adventures, Don Quixote accepts them stoically, ready to prepare for the next quest, driven by his steadfast belief in his knighthood. To him, the hardships are inconsequential for a true knight-errant.
Similarly, how one perceives oneself influences the interpretation of events transpiring around them. Don Quixote's various antics in the novel, often dismissed as delusions or madness, are depicted from the perspective of his self-perception as a knight-errant, highlighting the importance of one's self-image in shaping their reality.
On the other hand, Don Quixote, though portrayed as a ludicrous madman due to his chivalric aspirations, exhibits surprising normalcy and even profound wisdom in areas unrelated to his knightly activities. It's a reminder that everyone has their passions and areas of interest, and a life devoid of such immersion would be lacking.
Sancho Panza, on the other hand, illustrates the author's deliberate characterization. He may seem foolish for blindly following Don Quixote's chivalric fantasies, but in reality, he's more than just a simpleton. The novel showcases his significant wisdom when he briefly serves as the lord of a village. Moreover, his frequent use of the proverb "A bird in the hand is worth two in the bush" suggests an understanding of one's limitations and the importance of prudence. In fact, his ability to recognize his limitations and willingly relinquish power makes him quite remarkable.
This novel prompts contemplation on how individuals perceive and interact with the beliefs of others. Don Quixote, the protagonist, embarks on adventures driven by his own convictions. Despite being ridiculed and mocked by others, his actions, based on his beliefs, hold a noble significance to him. The Duke and Duchess in the novel serve as representatives of those who derive pleasure from mocking and manipulating the beliefs of others. They orchestrate situations to entertain themselves at the expense of Don Quixote's earnest pursuits.
It's unlikely that the author merely intended to portray amusing scenes; rather, these instances of ridicule convey a deeper message to readers about the consequences of mocking others' beliefs. Don Quixote's actions, although seemingly absurd, often lead to positive outcomes. However, he fails to recognize that aspects of others' beliefs may be beyond his understanding.
This raises the importance of refraining from hastily judging or mocking the beliefs of others. What may seem foolish to one person could hold profound significance to another. Don Quixote's unwavering belief in his knighthood, despite its absurdity, yields both positive and tragic outcomes. His actions demonstrate the necessity of respecting others' beliefs, even if they appear nonsensical to us.
Furthermore, the novel suggests the importance of exercising caution when assisting others. The village priest and barber, in their attempt to help Don Quixote, inadvertently exacerbate his condition by deceiving and manipulating him. Despite their good intentions, their actions lead to Don Quixote's decline and eventual demise. This underscores the unpredictable nature of human actions and their unintended consequences.
As the novel progresses, Don Quixote eventually realizes the falsity of his chivalric ideals. However, this revelation brings not a sense of healing but rather a poignant realization of the futility of his endeavors. It serves as a somber reminder of the complexities of human beliefs and actions.
Final Thoughts
The novel turned out to be much longer and more substantial than I expected. While I was familiar with some of the comical scenes from movies or musicals, reading the entire content was a first for me. Despite being a classic novel, it was surprisingly engaging, and the ending was unexpectedly poignant.
After finishing the book, I sought out reviews to see how others felt about it, and I was astonished to discover that numerous renowned authors hailed this novel. It received immense praise, with some comparing it to the Bible and asserting that all subsequent novels were merely rewritings of Don Quixote. It's truly a remarkable work that has garnered extraordinary acclaim.
Although my understanding may be limited, I still felt deeply impacted by the book. It's far more than just a collection of lighthearted episodes; there's a profound depth to it that resonates even with a novice like myself.
