Don Quixote—A New Dawn to Spanish Literature

Abstract: Miguel de Cervantes’ Don Quixote marked a shift in Spanish Literature, bringing a new dawn in the field where, instead of celebrating knightly romances, it marked the beginning of modern novels. The novel explored commoners’ issues, including poverty, hunger, corruption, and human suffering. While traditional romances celebrated chivalric, flawless heroes, Cervantes’ heroes are flawed and deeply human, and they evolved with time. The story revolves around the tragicomedy characters Alonso Quixano, who imagines himself as the knight Don Quixote, and his companion Sancho Panza. Cervantes’ characters are grounded in reality, human psychology, and social observation, discarding the unrealistic ideals or, rather, mocking them. The novel finely depicts the contrast between idealism and realism, fantasy and reality. Thus, Don Quixote isn’t just a parody of knight romance; it reflects Renaissance humanism while shifting literature from fantasy toward realism and from perfect heroes to complex individuals. Therefore, Don Quixote acts as a nice bridge between medieval tradition and modern literature. It gives birth to a new literary tradition in Spain and worldwide.