Cervantes & Shakespeare

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Cervantes: Reflected Tensions

"Neither fraud, nor deceit, nor malice had yet interfered with truth and plain dealing." (Don Quixote, Book 1, Part 8).

Miguel de Cervantes Saavedra (29 September 1547 - 23 April 1616) is considered as Spain's greatest writer. He was a novelist, poet and playwright, and was Shakespeare's literal Spanish equivalent because they lived and thrived in the same time period, one where plays, novels and poems were centerstage in social and public Art and entertainment. His magnum opus was 'Don Quixote', now considered the first 'modern' novel, one that reflects and recounts, satirically and realistically the adventures and deeds of a rouge hero, one accessible to the masses (hence they can relate) as the hero is usually from a low social class. It is this accessibility that pushed Don Quixote to timeless popularity and is relevant even now as it was before, making it one of the top Western Classics. Now, because Cervantes' work reflects the social, political, economic and psychological trends present in his time, we see, in Don Quixote for example the varied issues attacked by satire and wit reflected in the actions, speech and views of Don Quixote. Many who read them, Spaniards most especially feel as if the novel ...