Miguel de Cervantes

Serious Portraits

Mini Bio (Biography.com) Born Near Madrid in 1547 Became a soldier in 157o* Was captured by Turks in 1575* Published the first part of Don Quixote in 1605 Died in 1616 *Was badly wounded in battle of Lepanto *Spent 5 years in prison

Less Serious Portraits

Do you know who painted this?

Pablo Picasso

Biography II (Biography.com) “Cervantes was an avid reader as a child”* It is still debated if Cervantes received a formal education Some scholars argue he was taught by the Jesuits* (Biography.com) *A skill he was apparently taught by a relative *but others dispute this claim

Biography III First known poem – 1569 Cervantes wrote poetry before he wrote fiction (1569)* The following year he joined the military Took part in the Battle of Lepanto* in 1571 First known poem – 1569 Lepanto – was known for his bravery

Cervantes sustained serious injuries during his military years* Biography IV Cervantes sustained serious injuries during his military years* Despite his disability, Cervantes continued to serve for several more years In 1575, Cervantes and his brother tried to return to Spain, but were stopped along the way… (Biography.com) *one injury so severe it cost him the use of his left hand

Do you know what happened?

Pirates Happened!

*he made several failed attempts to escape during his imprisonment “They were captured during their voyage by a group of Turkish ships” “Cervantes would then spend the next five years as a prisoner and a slave”* “In 1580 he was able to return home and a ransom was paid for his release” (biography.com) *he made several failed attempts to escape during his imprisonment

And Then Cervantes Made His Masterpiece

And He Named This Masterpiece?

Don Quixote

1605 – Cervantes publishes the first part of DQ Don Quixote “The title character soon gets lost in his own fantasy world, believing he is one of these knights, and convinces a poor peasant, Sancho Panza, to serve as his squire.” (Biography.com) The story of an elderly man so taken by knightly adventures that he sets out on his own 1605 – Cervantes publishes the first part of DQ

What is this?

And What is This?

Would You Ever Confuse The Two? Windmill Giant

What Sort of Person Would Confuse the Two?

Spongebob?

Wrong!

Don Quixote

Was Don Quixote Crazy?

Or Was He A Dreamer?

You Decide! Crazy? Dreamer?

Final Years and Legacy “Despite DQ’s undeniable literary significance, Cervantes never achieved major recognition in his lifetime” Cervantes began work on another novel that he never completed – D. April 22nd 1616 Cervantes has influenced countless authors throughout the centuries… (biography.com)

Gustave Flaubert*

Fyodor Dostoyevsky

Herman Melville

Salvador Dali

But There’s Another Word We Have For Dreamer

Idealist! i·de·al·ist īˈdē(ə)ləst/ noun 1. a person who is guided more by ideals than by practical considerations. (Google.com)

Works Cited Biography.com Editors. "Miguel De Cervantes." Bio.com. A&E Networks Television, n.d. Web. 02 Oct. 2016.