Parody in Don Quixote - Essay Example

 Don Quixote The key concept of part 1 of Don Quixote is parody, the prevalent notion of chivalry and romance. Cervantes demonstrates how often comical interactions between chivalry and everyday life. Don Quixote in his madness assists to exemplify how injudicious the romantic notions are misguided. His interactions with the other characters furthermore satirize the society where the characters exist and mention the societal codes of behaviors mirrored through their actions. Don Quixote character emphasizes the concept of the old structure of morals, the code of chivalry, is in a deteriorating condition, as no one save for Sancho Panza acts like he understands him or his values both when he is sane and insane (Don Quixote 150). A related concept of parody involves equation of social class against personal worth of an individual. The role of parody in Don Quixote is undoubtedly a classic illustration of chivalric romance. The parodic components constitute its strongest connections to the romantic traditions that existed at the time. The book demonstrates how parody was inherent at the time. Parody is perceived as destructive and constructive force in Don Quixote, arising from the narrative plot. Parody originates from the plot and chivalric context, and is a constituent of the fundamental techniques through which the romance theme renews itself. The book is thematically hypertextual in demonstrating romance as build up to Don Quixote plot. Parody use is an inherent deviation from the chivalric norm setting up an exemplary model deviation characterized by clashing characters, episodes, and registers. The use of parody in deviating from the chivalric norm while concurrently upholding it is an aspect that facilitates the renewal of romance as a theme in Don Quixote. Such that it is complimentary in demonstrating how themes of love, obsession and heroism contribute to the destruction. In chapter 3:” Comedy in the Occitan and Going South” a Spanish text version cited by Cervantes in part 1, are exemplified as upholding antisocialism than idealism. Don Quixote derives its popularity from parody, painting a picture of an of an ideal world that is rapidly eclipsed. Don Quixote purports to be a romance text, though distorted romance and the beginning of the death of the romance genre in chivalric style. Parody use is a literary technique that encompasses the experiences of characters and adventures, magnifying the significance of humor in the novel. An extension of parody of romance in Cervantes novel Don Quixote illustrates the importance of humor in supporting themes in the novel plot. Cervantes uses the intrinsic humorous mischief as a platform for exploring the expedition of a poor man-low social class, in a fraud-ridden society. Cervantes uses the lead characters in satirizing the artificiality of the chivalric age. Don Quixote, the character, transforms his opinions of Maritornes, going by the language and Chivalric custom`s romance, “her hair like a horse`s mane, but Don Quixote saw it as strands of Arabian gold” this Cervantes describes as, “Neither smell nor touch nor any of the good maiden`s other qualities could make him notice his mistakes, even though they had have made anyone muleteer vomit”. In similar terms, the use of archaic language ironically, an improved style normally used to exalt the heroic character in chivalric romance, is evidently present when he addresses Dulcinea. Don Quixote mocking of other chivalry books is based on the basic concept of chivalry romance and heroism. The idea that most chivalry books covered issues pertaining to impossibilities. The book mocks every concept of chivalry intrinsically through other characters who mock Quixote when he picks up a pig farmer -Sancho- to be his squire, in a quest to rid the society of evil. The book presents a hero Don Quixote who aims to bridge the gap between the renaissance and chivalry era `good old days`. A perfect example is demonstrated when Sancho and Quixote fall in with Duchess and Duke. Duke and Duchess decide to play along with Quixote`s madness and illusions. They notice him and invent a bizarre situation that is pulled from one of the scenarios of `books of chivalry`. Quixote escapes, but later is challenged by a mysterious ‘Knight’ defeating him. The knight forces him to promise not to depart from the village for a whole year. The knight is revealed to be a villager employed to stop him. At the novel conclusion, Don Quixote returns to sanity renouncing his knighthood and wills that his niece does not marry a person obsessed with reading romantic chivalry novels. The mockery of Don Quixote by other characters demonstrates the little belief that existed in a heroic character. This is a typical mockery of other books of chivalry whose plots revolve around romance and a heroic character. In defense of chivalric books, the book ‘Don Quixote’ revolves around a character of a man dedicated to the revitalization of Knight Errantry. Don Quixote creates a world through the forces of his determination and belief, and he influences the people around him so muscularly that some of them begin participating in his quest. Don Quixote, refuses to be persuaded that the escapade stories of chivalry that he reads are not historically truthful. Cervantes argues at some point, "it were as easy to persuade the world that the sun does not enlighten, the frost cool, and the earth bear us, as that there never was an Amadis, or any of the other adventurous knights". Cervantes core idea conveyed through the character Don Quixote is a strong belief in the capabilities of a strong human spirit, whether it is perceived by others insanity or idealism motivated can have an impact in changing the environment. The deeds and words which drive Don Quixote are of chivalric romances, a clear indication of backing of chivalric style. Defense of chivalric books is also evident when the barber and curate take Don Quixote home hoping to heal of his insanity. Don Quixote soon falls fatally ill. He reclaims his sanity on his death bed renouncing his absurdly chivalric knighthood way of life that he previously led. However, in a bizarre twist fellow villager who previously mocked him, recognize the influence he has made on others. They try to convince him that his mistaken: he is the La Mancha knight and need to carry on being so. In spite of all the mockery jets, he faced over the years. The villagers can’t escape the reality that he has showed them a new perspective of the world. The two main characters who try to mock and humiliate Don Quixote are Duke and Duchess. The two characters come out in a negative perspective later when everyone else views Don Quixote ironically as a hero who plays an important role in enabling them to have an alternative perspective to issues in the society. Duke and Duchess make buffoons of Sancho and Quixote in order to cure their boredom. Their dull cynicism and debauched cruelty to their guest- Quixote and Sancho- behavior is widely demonstrated in Quixote`s visit to their town. Their subjection of Quixote to cruelty, subtle, humiliation is attributable to a redefined perversity which is concealed with exquisite courtesy (Don Quixote, 178). Duke and Duchess are motivated by an impartial desire to be entertained. The Duke and Duchess cultivate the technique of bullying and by an innocent intention of hosting the two guests and participating in comical merriment exercise. The malicious pranks and mischief organized by the Duke and Duchess is a character of the spirit of bullying that existed at the time. The Duke and Duchess view Sancho and Quixote as having lack of worthy pursuits in their existence. The cruelty displayed against Quixote and Sancho is an illustration of utmost sadism that portrays them (Duke and Duchess) in a negative perspective. Quixote as an idealist: a symbol of heroism, truth, justice, immortality and Glory Don Quixote`s intellectualism is displayed in his rejection of the traditional emphasize placed on visible knowledge and comprehensive logic in approval of curious and abstract thinking. A lot of technological development is attributed to the spirit of free thinking and not confinement to a sphere of reason. This aspect helps in placing Don Quixote as hero in helping inspire the spirit of free thinking. Don Quixote`s principle of recognizing ambiguity and uncertainty, flourishes in the uncertainty of unknowing and knowing. The principle epitomizes the utmost profound manifestation of genius. The thinking inspires curiosity about the society we exist in and an enthusiasm to explore it (Saavedra 14). Because thinking and acting are almost inseparable, it directs a systematic way of life. While this Don Quixote`s way of thinking leads more mistakes it also yields success in equal measure because of its experimental extreme nature. The heroic nature of Don Quixote is evident in his preoccupation with humility and generosity. Quixote adventure of trying to save the world and correcting all the wrongs in the society depicts him as a symbol of justice. Modern notions of masculinity portray the codes of chivalry as sexist. The implication is women are a weak sex compared to men. Most chivalrous men believed incompetency of men. (Hess 13) They feel that women are less competent, thus should get consideration and care. It is a modern belief that the delicate sex should be provided for and protected. Nonetheless, some people against the stereotype, explain the true meaning of the practice: chivalry is not courteous act or a patronizing attitude, chivalry is mutual respect and mutual admiration. Work cited "Don Quixote (Barnes & Noble Classics Series)." Barnes & Noble. Web. 25 Nov. 2014. . Cervantes, Saavedra M, and T Smollett. The History and Adventures of the Renowned Don Quixote. Ware, Hertfordshire [England: Wordsworth Classics of World Literature, 1998. Print. Hess, Carol A. Manuel De Falla and Modernism in Spain 1898-1936. Chicago, Ill: University of Chicago Press, 2001. Print. Paulson, Ronald. Don Quixote in England: The Aesthetics of Laughter. Baltimore: The Johns Hopkins University Press, 1998. Print. Saavedra, Miguel De, and Edith Grossman. Don Quixote. New York: Ecco, 2003. Print. Read More