Miguel Cervantes

Paper Summary:

This paper examines the life and work of Miguel de Cervantes Saavedra (1547-1616) a Spanish novelist, poet and dramatist who lived during a turbulent period in history. It discusses how Cervantes, not content to simply observe, took an active part in the events of his time and how references to episodes from his own life are commonly found within his writings. It analyzes the originality and universal success, of his greatest work, "Don Quixote", which assured his fame as a writer and ultimately his place in literary history.

From the Paper:

"The son of a poor Spanish surgeon, Cervantes was born at Alcala de Henares near Madrid on 9th October 1547. As a result of his father's continual search for work, and in order to evade those to whom he owed money, Cervantes spent the majority of his childhood moving between cities - including Valladolid, Seville, and Madrid. Aged twenty-one, Cervantes became involved in a duel, the result being that he was forced to flee from Spain (Canavaggio, 1997). Arriving in Rome, he joined up as a private soldier and fought at the battle of Lepanto where he was wounded in battle, losing the use of his left hand (Ormsby, 1885). In 1575, having been granted permission to return to Spain, his homebound ship was attacked by pirates and he was taken to Algeria as a prisoner, where he remained for five years in spite of numerous attempts to escape (Canning, 121). On his eventual return to Spain he began writing poetry and plays but, in common with many writers before and since, he was forced to take a succession of badly-paid jobs in order to earn a living wage (Canavaggio, 145)."

More papers on Miguel Cervantes:

• Analytical Essay # 49962 : "Miguel Cervantes and Social Class in "Don Quixote"
• Book Review # 115223 : "Miguel de Cervantes' "Don Quixote"
• Analytical Essay # 68273 : "St. Augustine, de Cervantes and Dante"

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