Don Quixote is an epic and classic Spanish novel written by Miguel de Cervantes. Its full title is The Ingenious Gentleman Don Quixote of La Mancha, or El ingenious hidalgo don Quixote, de la Mancha in Spanish. It was first published in two parts in 1605 and 1615. It is frequently referred to as the first modern book and one of the greatest works ever written. It is a foundational piece of Western literature. One of the most translated books in the world is Don Quixote. The story follows the exploits of Alonso Quijano, a hidalgo from La Mancha who belongs to the lowest class, who reads so many chivalric romances that he either goes insane or pretends to be insane in order to take the name Don Quixote de la Mancha and become a knight-errant (caballero andante) in order to restore chivalry and serve his country. Sancho Panza, a common farmer whom he hires as his squire, deals with Don Quixote's rhetorical monologues on knighthood, which are already regarded as archaic at the time, with a special, earthy wit, and represents the drollest realism in contrast to his master's idealism. The story spans a significant amount of time with recurring themes like the nature of reality and discourse.
Miguel de Cervantes Saavedra was an Early Modern Spanish author, usually recognized as the finest writer in the Spanish language and one of the world's best novelists (29 September 1547 (assumed) - 22 April 1616). His most famous work, Don Quixote, is frequently recognized as both the first modern novel and one of the greatest works of literature ever written. Many of his early works were lost as a result of the fact that he spent a large portion of his life in poverty and obscurity. In spite of this, Spanish is frequently referred to as "the language of Cervantes," which reflects his influence and literary contribution. Cervantes was compelled to leave Spain in 1569 and relocate to Rome, where he took a job in a cardinal's household. He joined a Spanish Navy infantry battalion in 1570 and suffered severe injuries at the Battle of Lepanto in October 1571. He served as a soldier up until 1575 when Barbary pirates kidnapped him; after spending five years in prison, he was freed and sent back to Madrid. Despite the fact that he remained to work as a purchasing agent and eventually as a government tax collector after his first notable novel, La Galatea was published in 1585.