Blog 2, Learning Outcome 3

     In Miguel de Cervantes’ timeless piece, El ingenioso hidalgo don Quijote de la Mancha, we learn of an elder who has lost his wits due to Schizophrenia, and now, after reading countless tales of knights and the like, also believes he is caballero.  Here, you can find the link to this piece which was originally written in Spanish and has been translated for all to enjoy, http://mgarci.aas.duke.edu/celestina/EDICIONES-BILINGUES/INGLES/DQ-1-01.HTM. The story’s first volume was written in 1605, with the second following in 1615, both were written with an extreme awareness of language, which was greatly shaped by the culture of that era.  At the time, knighthood was something very trendy, everyone wanted to be a knight, write about being a night, or marry a knight, which is why Cervantes made it his mission to include other author’s works in his own.  Cervantes writes, “He approved highly of the giant Morgante, because, although of the giant breed which is always arrogant and ill-conditioned, he alone was affable and well-bred. But above all he admired Reinaldos of Montalban, especially when he saw him sallying forth from his castle and robbing everyone he met, and when beyond the seas he stole that image of Mahomet which, as his history says, was entirely of gold.” Cervantes’ story is not the only thing shaped by the caballero culture of that time, but the title character, don Quijote, also tries to compare himself to other knights from that era and previous ones.  Cervantes also follows the caballero code of the time, equipping don Quijote with all the traits any knight would have, including courtesy towards all women, having a damsel who he constantly dedicates his battles to, having a sidekick, fighting wrongdoers, and being honorable.  In the story, as don Quijote is deciding who shall be his damsel, Cervantes writes the following, “So then, his armour being furbished, his morion turned into a helmet, his hack christened, and he himself confirmed, he came to the conclusion that nothing more was needed now but to look out for a lady to be in love with; for a knight-errant without love was like a tree without leaves or fruit, or a body without a soul.”  Readers of this piece always enjoy the fact that it is greatly shaped by the culture of that time and that the language is directly affected by the costumes of that era.