A Plot and Setting Summary of Miguel Cervantes' "The Adventures of Don Quixote" Essay

In medieval times, knight-errants roamed the countryside of Europe,rescuing damsels and vanquishing evil lords and enchanters. This maysound absurd to many people in this time, but what if a person readso many books about these so-called knight-errants that he could notdetermine the real from that which was read? Such is the case in TheAdventures of Don Quixote by Miguel Cervantes which takes placeprobably some time in the fifteenth or early sixteenth centuries. DonQuixote, formerly Quixana, was not really a don at all. He was awealthy, intelligent farmer who read too many books aboutknight-errantry and went crazy. He convinced a simple-mindedpeasant named Sancho to become his squire, promising him wealthand a high spot in society. This book consists of many adventuresthese two had, both were convinced that they were doing brave andhonorable acts of chivalry, when they were only two fools runningaround the countryside.Cervantes tries to make his book more interesting with the use ofpoint of view. Don Quixote sees what his mind and imagination create,not that which is transferred through the optic nerves in a veryclean-cut scientific manner. He retreats to a world that holds meaningfor him. When he first departs, he stops at an inn and his eyes makeit a beautiful castle with blushing maids and noble sirs. The wenchAldonza is turned into Dulcinea, his one true love, who he swears byin his battles and contemplates when he is idle. Another example ofhis point-of-view is the famous windmill incident. Quixote sees thirtymonstrous giants... with... long arms... the length of two leagues. such is the demented mind of Don Quixote. He went down into alegendary pit to behold its wonders. Once inside, he convinced himselfhe saw a transparent castle and that the people there were kept alivehundreds of years by Merlin s magic when he seemed to only dream it.Another way Cervantes uses point-of-view to let the reader knowthat Quixote has little grasp of reality. I will refer back to the windmillsbecause that is...

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