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Tilting at windmills - from fool to hero 400 years of Don Quixote

5 April 2005 :: Posted by Catriona Finlayson

Four hundred years ago the first part of Miguel de Cervantes' Don Quixote, arguably the first modern novel, was published in Madrid. It was an immediate success with five editions printed in 1605 and translated into English seven years later. It has now been translated into every major language - and many minority languages - in the world. To celebrate the influence and impact of the book, a range of illustrated editions through the ages, drawn from the collections of the British Library, will be on display from 6 April - 24 June 2005.

The adventures of Don Quixote and Sancho Panza, his squire, have inspired painters, writers, composers and film makers. This small exhibition explores the range of interpretations and how our view of the novel and its principal characters has evolved and changed over time. Highlights include the first edition of Don Quixote, of which fewer than 20 copies survive, and an 18th century English edition featuring engravings by Hogarth. More unusual items include a copy printed on cork and a miniature edition only 90x75 mms. in size.

Early illustrations presented Don Quixote as a comic madman but interpretations evolved to focus on the novel as satire. The 19th century engravings by Doré are probably the best known and reflect the Romantic tradition that portrayed the main character as a victim whose idealism clashed with a harsh reality.

Don Quixote and Sancho inspired many 20th-century artists and writers, including Salvador Dalí. Graham Greene and Jorge Luis Borges both based works on the story. A number of film versions have been made, but two of them, by Orson Welles and Terry Gilliam, could themselves be considered Quixotic as their efforts were never realised. Don Quixote is now represented on playing cards, stamps, statuettes and other memorabilia as an enduring symbol of Spain.

Geoffrey West, Head of Hispanic Collections at the British Library said: "In this display I have tried to set the novel in its original context and explore how the interpretations of what is undoubtedly one of the greatest works of world literature have changed over time."

From Fool to Hero: 400 Years of Don Quixote runs from 6 April to 24 June, in the Front Hall of the British Library at St Pancras. Admission is free.

For further information and images please contact Catriona Finlayson at the British Library Press Office, telephone +44 (0)20 7412 7114, e-mail catriona.finlayson@bl.uk

Notes for editors

  1. Distinguished novelist and literary critic, Mario Vargas Llosa will give a lecture on Don Quixote and its characters at the British Library Conference Centre on Thursday 9 June, 6.30 - 8.00pm. Tickets are £6.00 (£4.00 concessions). To book please call +44 (0)20 7412 7222
  2. The novel Don Quixote, tells how Alonso Quixano, an elderly Spanish hidalgo, or country gentleman, went mad after reading too many stories about knights errant, the heroes of the romances of chivalry. Taking the name Don Quixote and clad in ancient armour, he sets out on his worn-out horse, Rocinante, to right wrongs and fight for justice. He also acquires a squire, the peasant Sancho Panza. Reality is much harsher and he frequently gets badly beaten by those he seeks to aid. By the second part of Don Quixote the knight and squire are well known, as many people they meet have read the first part of the novel and they play up to Don Quixote's delusions. Gradually, however, as his dream fades, Don Quixote's sanity is restored and he returns home to die, not as a knight errant, but as Alonso Quixano.

Miguel de Cervantes: a Life

  • 1547 Miguel de Cervantes Saavedra born in the Castilian university town of Alcalá de Henares. His father was a surgeon.
  • 1556 Coronation of King Philip II.
  • 1566 Cervantes's father and family move to Madrid.
  • 1571 In action at the battle of Lepanto against the Turks, he suffers a lasting injury to his left hand - he is afterwards known as 'el manco' ('the one-handed') of Lepanto.
  • 1574 Takes part in the expedition to Tunis under Don Juan de Austria.
  • 1575 En route from Naples to Spain, he is captured by Barbary corsairs and imprisoned in Algiers.
  • 1580 After four attempts to escape, Cervantes is ransomed by Trinitarian friars.
  • 1581-87 Several plays by Cervantes performed in Madrid.
  • 1585 Publishes the pastoral romance, La Galatea.
  • 1587 Start of chequered career as government official, raising supplies in Andalusia for the Spanish Armada.
  • 1594 Obtains employment as a tax collector.
  • 1598 He is released from prison after serving seven months for a shortfall in taxes collected. Death of Philip II.
  • 1605 Five editions of Don Quijote published: two in Madrid, two in Lisbon and one in Valencia.
  • 1612 Publishes the Novelas ejemplares. Publication of Thomas Shelton's English translation of Don Quijote.
  • 1615 Publication of the second part of Don Quijote.
  • 1616 Death of Cervantes, 22 April, in Madrid.