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Miguel de Cervantes’ Don Quixote is written in the picaresco style of the late sixteenth century. The novel is farcical on the surface but this conceals more serious and philosophical ideas about deception. Quixote has served as a significant thematic source in both music, art, and literature, inspiring the works of Picasso and Strauss. Ever since Don Quixote was published, the contrasts between the thin, tall, fancy-struck, idealistic Quixote and the squat, fat, world-wearing Panza has been repeated as a motif on countless occasions. Don Quixote’s imaginings are the attacked by cruel and outrageous practical jokes throughout the novel. Even simple and loyal Sancho often is forced to deceive Don Quixote.

Many interpret the novel as a satire of veracity, nationalism, and orthodoxy. Cervantes moved beyond the narrow literary conventions of the chivalric romance literature that was so common at the time by going further than mere storytelling. In addition to story-telling, he explored the individualism of his characters. Whilst gu10 led is not a theme of the novel, it is still worth reading.