Miguel Cervantes

The Don Quixote

Introduction to Miguel de Cervantes

Miguel de Cervantes was born near Madrid, Spain in 1547, to a deaf surgeon father. For most of his life he was in poverty. Before he started his career as a writer for plays and books, he became a soldier in 1570. But was badly wounded in battle and his left hand was rendered useless for the rest of his life. He constantly included this fact in his works. But, his injuries from that battle weren't all that he had gone through. Cervantes was also a slave to the Turks for 5 years after being captured with his brother on the way back to Spain. But, was released 1580 and returned home.

Writing Career

Cervantes was an avid reader as a child. A skill he was supposedly taught by a relative. But, it is still unknown whether Cervantes had a formal education as a writer. Many scholars debate that Cervantes was taught by the Jesuits. But many other scholars dispute that claim.

The first published works by Cervantes was in 1569, there he contributed some poetry memorial collection after the death of Elizabeth of Valois, who was the wife of the Spanish king Philip II. But, the next year, Cervantes joined the Spanish military unit in Italy.

Cervantes' first novel was La Galatea, which failed to get famous. Cervantes also tried to make plays, but that also failed and only two of his plays survived today. But, the most famous novel that Cervantes was known for was the Don Quixote which was published in 2 parts. One was published in 1605, while the second part was published the year before his death, 1616.

Quote From De Cervantes

The first part of the Don Quixote was published in 1605. It told the story about a delusional elderly man who, after reading many stories about knights, convinces himself that he was in fact a knight. He was even able to convince a peasant boy to become his squire. But, a second part of the Don Quixote was published in 1615, a year before Cervantes' death.

Reading of the Don Quixote

1547-1616

Some Books de Cervantes Wrote