Cervantes’ universally known work, Don Quixote of the Mancha, uses zany characters and outrageous adventures to comment on the old art of chivalry and its absence from contemporary society. The protagonist of the tale, Don Quixote, and his squire, Sancho Panza, venture 17th century Spain following the codes of chivalry, as any Knight-errant should. Chivalry values loyalty, self-control, perseverance, generosity, respect, and honor. Though he cherishes chivalry, Don Quixote, ironically a titled…
arguably the greatest composer of all time. Along with his many symphonies, he also wrote the music for operas. Even though The Marriage of Figaro, The Magic Flute, and Don Giovanni are his three most famous operas, Cosí fan Tutte is largely underrated. This opera is the story of two sets of lovers. Under the guidance of their old friend Don Alfonso, the two men decide to test their partners ' loyalty by pretending to go off to war and coming back disguised. Slowly, each man and the other 's…
Writing The Idiot coincided with Dostoyevsky’s financial hardships which forced him and his wife Anna to move temporarily to Europe. Being in Europe and experiencing the constant lack of means, Dostoyevsky continuously maintained correspondence with his brother Mikhail, his close friend Maikov and his niece Sonia to whom he often confessed about his futile attempts to write a great novel and about the disappointing mediocrity he was receiving instead (Frank 245). In fact, Dostoyevsky dedicated…
In Kierkegaard’s, Either/Or, he explains the opinion about Mozart’s, Don Giovanni in which he formed after sitting through multiple performances of the opera. He did this to try to analyze and breakdown Mozart’s thinking when he composed the opera. According to Kierkegaard, the character Don Giovanni makes the opera appealing with the characters seductive nature which therefore, makes the opera Don Giovanni stand the highest of the classics for Kierkegaard. In his work, Either/Or, he describes…
control. Hamlet and Don Quixote are two perfect examples of a troubled individual in a troubled world. At what point does a man's passion, diligence, and determination cross into the realm of madness? The authors of both Hamlet and Don Quixote portray protagonists that are potentially mad. Hamlet and Don Quixote are two characters that both potentially…
whole. It can be difficult to distinguish between conventional and satirical novels if the absurdities the author intends to critique are presented in a subtle tone. An example of a novel that is subjectively a mockery of contemporary American life is Don Delillo’s White Noise. While the main characters of the book made be interpreted as arrogant and unintelligent by some readers, a non-literal look at the work can bring up questions regarding humanity. Often works utilizing this type of humor…
Kevin Brockmeier takes on an in depth view of The Poser while he summarizes it. Brockmeier hints at the possibility of Giovanni’s mother pushing him further into being an impressionist. The quotes from the book that he gives truly proves this point by observing that it shows how her interest in impressions and threads causes a lasting influence on Giovanni. Furthermore, Brockmeier focuses on the fact that Giovanni wants to live the life of someone else instead of being himself. He uses context…
While working as the Artistic Director of La Boite Theatre Company Sean Mee made the very bold and daring decision that of all the works that the company would produce in each season must be entirely Australian plays. During the ‘In conversation’ Mee reflects on his decision while working as the Artistic Director, “If I’m going to be [working for] an Australian company, then we are going to produce Australian work”. In the 2007 La Boite Theatre Company Annual Report the objectives of the…
that feeling. That’s why Don Quixote’s humor was and still is so appealing to the masses despite diverging from the traditional literary experience; because its humor and self-awareness connect with readers on a level that allows them to understand what…
Makeover. Miguel de Cervantes’s novel Don Quixote is the story of an extreme makeover gone wrong. Though Alonso Quixano tries to recreate himself as a hero and make his dreams come true, in reality he is only a pseudo hero; though he himself looks beyond social class and position to see the worth and potential of others, others view him as a fool; though he perseveres in his attempts…