Quixote

Quixote, or Don Quixote, is the central figure of the Spanish novel Don Quixote by Miguel de Cervantes Saavedra, widely considered one of the foundational works of Western literature. The novel was published in two parts, Part I in 1605 and Part II in 1615, and follows a retired Hidalgo from La Mancha who, after reading numerous chivalric romances, embraces the identity of a knight-errant and adopts the name Don Quixote de la Mancha. With his loyal but pragmatic squire, Sancho Panza, he undertakes a series of adventures—often misinterpreting ordinary sights as perilous foes or wonders. His perception of Dulcinea del Toboso as a noble lady drives many exploits; he often attributes glory to relatively mundane occurrences, such as tilting at windmills he imagines to be giants.

The work blends humor with philosophical and social critique. It questions the gap between fantasy and reality, explores the moral scope of idealism, and critiques social change in early modern Spain. Its intricate structure, playful metafiction, and deep characterization helped define the modern novel.

Quixote has left a lasting legacy in literature and broader culture. The name gives rise to the term quixotic, describing lofty but impractical ideals. The character’s enduring image—tilting at windmills, confronting imagined foes—remains emblematic of the tension between dream and reality.