Essay III. World Lit I. 100 points. The Renaissance.
Subject: Don Quixote
Length: 4-6 pages
In Don Quixote, there are numerous themes and topics on which to write. Please choose one of
these from the list below:
1. Social class. How are the social classes compared and contrasted throughout the story? What is Don Quixote’s view and/or attitude towards social classes other than his own? In his delusional state, is he able to truly see distinct social classes?
2. Discuss Don Quixote’s mental state. Does he choose to be delusional? And if so, when in the story does this begin to be apparent? Discuss how his insanity begins to change as the story progresses, becoming less as such and saner.
3. Create a character analysis of the major characters in the story and discuss how they either help or hinder Quixote in his quest, and which characters truly have Quixote’s best interests at heart.
4. Discuss how the story is satirical and/or the role of parody. You will want to make sure you have a full grasp of what that means. What exactly is the story mocking?
5. Discuss the narrative style and how it changes, including how Cervantes is translating the story in one part, yet in the first part he tells the story straightforward, in true narrative form. You will want to venture an idea as to why the narrative style changes.
6. Morality and/or the chivalric code. You will want to discuss how his morals or ideas about morals change throughout the story.
Make sure to use direct quotes from the text with parenthetical documentation, and have a work cited page. You do not have to use any secondary sources, but are more than welcome to if you feel it enhances your essay or that your discussion needs support.
Make sure to use MLA format.
SOURCE SHOULD BE – Norton Anthology of World Literature, Volume B
