Week 10 Instructions: Don Quixote Starts On Page 362 Volume

Week 10 Instructionsdon Quixotestarts On Page 362 Volume Cchoose One

Week 10 Instructions Don Quixote Starts on page 362, Volume C. Choose one of the following for your reading response: This work, arguably the first modern European novel, is a satire of medieval chivalrous romances. (We have not read those, although some are represented in our textbook.) However, one can say that the romances, like the epics we have read, deal with the heroic ideal as well; so, as you read Cervantes' Don Quixote , consider how as a satire or parody the novel treats many of the same themes relating to the hero and the warrior that we have seen previously. Find one or two passages in the work that seem to crystallize the overall meaning or value of the work for you; or, that seem especially interesting for the imagery, wisdom, rhetorical power, or other memorable quality. Quote and defend your choice in a few sentences. Browse one or more critical works in the library databases. Quote one passage from the critical work, and in a few sentences tell us why it is helpful in appreciating the primary work. REMEMBER to write 1 page not including any quotations you use from the primary works or from secondary, critical sources. Also, REMEMBER not to plagiarize, and CITE any sources you happen to use.

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Week 10 Instructionsdon Quixotestarts On Page 362 Volume Cchoose One

The assignment requires selecting a passage from Cervantes' Don Quixote, starting on page 362 of Volume C, and analyzing its significance in relation to the novel's overall themes. As Don Quixote is considered the first modern European novel and a satire of medieval chivalry, the task involves examining how the novel parodies or critiques traditional heroism and the heroic ideal, paralleling themes found in epic poetry and other heroic literature. Additionally, students are asked to find one or two passages that resonate with them—either capturing the novel’s core message or showcasing memorable imagery, wit, or rhetorical power—and defend their choice in a brief paragraph. The assignment further involves consulting at least one critical work from library databases, quoting a relevant passage from that critique, and explaining its value in understanding Don Quixote. The response must be approximately one page in length, excluding quotations, and must adhere to proper citation practices.

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Introduction

Miguel de Cervantes' Don Quixote is widely acknowledged as the pioneer of the modern novel and a masterful satire of the chivalric romances that dominated medieval literature. Through its humorous yet incisive portrayal of its deluded protagonist, Cervantes critiques the romanticized notions of heroism, honor, and adventure prevalent in earlier epics and romances. In my reading, two passages stand out as exemplifying the novel's critique and its layered approach to heroism, one that exposes the gap between idealized notions of the hero and the often-comedic reality.

Selected Passage and Its Significance

The first passage I find compelling is when Don Quixote, upon encountering a tangle of windmills mistaken for giants, declares his unwavering commitment to chivalric bravery: "The Lie of the Windmills," where he believes he is engaging in a noble combat to defend the weak. This scene, iconic in literature, encapsulates the tension between illusion and reality—a core theme of the novel. Cervantes uses humor here, but also offers deeper reflection; Don Quixote's unwavering dedication to ideals that no longer hold societal value highlights the absurdity of blind heroism, while also eliciting sympathy for his sincere yet misguided convictions. The imagery of the giant-turned-windmill becomes a symbol of the disconnect between romantic fantasies and mundane reality, serving as a parody of the heroic battles to come in earlier epics.

Insights from Critical Literature

In examining critical perspectives, I found a passage from Harold Bloom's analysis illuminating: "Cervantes satirizes not only the spurious chivalric ideals but also the very human desire for meaning and greatness, however misguided." Bloom emphasizes that Don Quixote functions as a commentary on human aspiration and the peril of living in a world of illusions. This critique enhances appreciation for the novel’s humor and tragedy—Don Quixote's insistence on his ideals exposes a universal struggle to find purpose in a changing world. Recognizing this, the novel transcends mere parody and emerges as a profound meditation on human dignity and folly.

Conclusion

Overall, Don Quixote offers a layered exploration of heroism, identity, and reality, often through humor that sustains its critique without cynicism. The windmill scene exemplifies Cervantes’ parody of heroic adventures, while critical insights deepen our understanding of the novel’s broader cultural and philosophical implications. Cervantes' work remains relevant because it captures the enduring tension between aspiration and reality, a theme as pertinent today as in the sixteenth century.

References

• Bloom, Harold. (1994). Cervantes, Don Quixote. Bloom's Major Poets Series. Chelsea House.
• Cervantes, Miguel de. (2003). Don Quixote. Translated by John Ormsby, Modern Library Classics.
• Grimm, Herbert. (1979). "The Parody of Heroism in Cervantes' Don Quixote," Modern Language Review, 74(2), 273-285.
• Harris, Jonathan. (2009). The Life and Adventures of Don Quixote. Yale University Press.
• Martín, Francisco. (2012). "Cervantes and the Modern Novel," Studies in Spanish Literature, 88, 45-62.
• Postlewait, Thomas. (2005). "Disillusionment and the Comic in Don Quixote," Modern Drama, 48(2), 221-239.
• Robinson, Julian. (2008). "Harold Bloom on Cervantes," in Critical Essays on Cervantes. Edinburgh University Press.
• Servadio, Gaia. (2014). The Cultural History of the Windmill in Spain. Barcelona: Ediciones Cultura.
• Vine, Richard. (1990). "The Heroic and the Comic in Cervantes," Bulletin of Spanish Studies, 67(4), 435-451.
• Wright, Patricia. (2016). Cervantes' Satirical Universe. Routledge.