Miguel de Cervantes Saavedra – Spain

Miguel de Cervantes Saavedra was a Spanish novelist, poet, and playwiter. His magnum opus Don Quixote, often considered the first modern novel, is a classic of Western literature, and is regarded amongst the best works of fiction ever written. His work is often considered amongst the most important works in all of Western literature. His influence on the Spanish language has been so great that Spanish is often called the language of Cervantes.

In 1585, Cervantes published his first major work, La Galatea, a pastoral romance which received little contemporary notice. Cervantes next turned his attention to drama, but the plays he composed failed to achieve their purpose. The author stayed poor until 1605, when the first part of Don Quixote appeared. Although it did not make Cervantes rich, it brought him international appreciation as a man of letters. Cervantes produced a Second Part of Don Quixote, which made its appearance in 1615. Don Quixote has been regarded chiefly as a novel of purpose. It is stated again and again that he wrote it in order to satirize the romance of chavalry and to challenge the popularity of a form of literature that had been a favorite of the general public for more than a century.

Known Literary Works:

·         Don Quixote

·         Exemplary Novels

·         Viaje del Parnaso

·         Eight Comedies and Eight New Interludes

·         Los Trabajos de Persiles y Sigismunda