Quixotes

Quixotes is the plural form used in English to refer to the fictional knight Don Quixote and, more broadly, to people who resemble him. The name derives from the Spanish Don Quijote, the central figure of Miguel de Cervantes Saavedra's novel Don Quixote, published in two parts in 1605 and 1615. In common usage, Quixotes may describe Don Quixote himself or those who embody his traits—such as idealism and impracticality—often described as quixotism.

The character is Alonso Quixano, an aging hidalgo who renames himself Don Quixote de la Mancha after choosing to live as a knight-errant. Following the chivalric romances he has read, he seeks to revive knightly virtue, defend the weak, and right perceived wrongs. He is joined by his squire, Sancho Panza; together they undertake a series of adventures that blend humor, social satire, and philosophical reflection. Quixote repeatedly misreads reality, most famously charging at windmills he imagines to be giants.

The novel is notable for its narrative complexity and its blending of parody, romance, and realism. It is widely regarded as a foundational work of Western literature and a precursor to modern narrative realism. Its innovative use of perspective, metafictional elements, and character development has influenced countless authors and artists across multiple media.

Legacy is strong: the figure gave rise to the adjectives quixotic and the noun quixotism, describing romantic, impractical idealism. Quixotes has shaped discussions of illusion versus reality, heroism, and the limits of imagination, and remains a touchstone in literary studies and popular culture.