Sabado, Disyembre 15, 2012

Literature Review: Miguel de Cervantes' "Tilting at Windmills"


Tilting At Windmills
by Miguel de Cervantes

Setting: 
The story is set in an anarchy setting where knights are most honoured soldiers. It happened somewhere in the place where wind blew stronger and harder; open space; far from town and houses; in a plain.

Characters: 
Don Quixote - conceived the idea of Giants in a form of windmills.
Sancho Panza - who believed that windmills are not Giants.

Plot: 
The discovery of at least thirty to forty windmills in a plain had started the argument of Sancho and Don Quixote’s belief on the ignoble Giant Briareus known to us as windmills.
Valorous on Quixote had face those whom he believed as mighty creatures with his horse Rozinante covering himself with his shield and couching his lance then implore  the guidance of Lady Dulcinea for victory.
However, nature bounced back as the wind whirled faster and rapidly that brought him to his defeat.
Right there and then, Don Quixote realized that fortune was not on his side and that he was convinced that the Giants were actually windmills.

Conflict: 
On man vs man perspective, the opposing belief of two rationale and great knights is the highlight of the story on the other hand, the existing conflict of man vs nature was clearly elaborated as Don Quixote tried to fight the nature-operated windmills.

Point of View: 
The narrative story used the third person point of view.

Symbolism: 
The Tilting of Windmills suggests “attacking imaginary enemies.” In addition, it has been described that somehow nature has two faces; human can benefit from it but when abused and exploited, can fight back.
Windmills so to speak helped mankind but when attacked, can somehow protect itself thru its’ long arms when air naturally operates it.

Theme: 
The theme of the story is somewhat based on ideology and realism. It is in Pancho’s character that in natural way, daily chores in life has to be met and can be of great help while Don Quixote’s perspective draws on achieving the triumphs in all endeavours by all means.

Language & Style of the Author: 
The author uses figurative style of writing. His analogy is direct and subconsciously his readers will think the reality that life has its own limits and that is a fact one must accept.

Reaction: 
Basically, the story Tilting at the Windmills is so physiological in nature that somehow one must read not only once but at least four times in order to comprehend the message of the story. The story was also written long by age.


About the Author
Miguel de Cervantes (1547-1616)
-          -  is considered to be the greatest Spanish writer. 
-       His novel Don Quixote (Part I, 1605; Part II, 1615) is regarded as one of the masterpieces of world literature. Miguel de Cervantes eloquent style and remarkable insights made him distinct from the rest of the writers during his time.
-        He has achieved acclaim comparable to that given to such literary greats as Greek poet Homer, Italian poet Date Aligheri, and English playwright William Shakespeare

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