The Narrative Works of Miguel de Cervantes: A Literary Analysis

The Narrative Work of Miguel de Cervantes Saavedra

Miguel de Cervantes Saavedra was born in Alcalá de Henares. He studied in Seville and Madrid. In 1569, he traveled to Italy and participated in military campaigns. At the Battle of Lepanto, he was wounded in his left hand. In 1575, he returned to Spain. Settling in Madrid, he began his life as a writer.

It is known that he toured Andalusia, where he served as a commissioner of supplies and a tax collector. Due to complications with money, he was jailed in Seville. In 1604, he reappeared in Valladolid, and two years later, he returned to Madrid. From then on, he developed the most fruitful phase of his literary creation. He died in Madrid on April 23, 1616.

La Galatea

In 1585, the first part of La Galatea was published, a pastoral novel centered on the theme of love. It takes place in a confined space over a very short time: the love of the shepherds Elicio and Erastro for Galatea, on the banks of the River Tagus. It includes several elements:

• Interpolated tales
• Poetry
• Philosophical discussions

La Galatea is an unfinished novel. Cervantes promised a second part, which he never wrote.

Exemplary Novels

In 1613, between the first and second parts of Don Quixote, Cervantes published his Exemplary Novels, a collection of twelve stories. These works are realistic and idealistic, critical and conformist, burlesque and serious, incorporating models of the time and narrative folklore materials.

Some titles include:

• La Gitanilla (The Gypsy Girl)
• El amante liberal (The Liberal Lover)
• Rinconete y Cortadillo
• La española inglesa (The English-Spanish Lady)
• El licenciado Vidriera (The Glass Graduate)
• El coloquio de los perros (The Colloquy of the Dogs)

The Work of Persiles and Sigismunda

This Byzantine novel was published in 1617. The protagonists, Persiles and Sigismunda, are a couple who undertake a long journey through northern Europe, Spain, and Italy. They face many dangers, which serve as trials, so that their marriage may eventually be realized.

Don Quixote de la Mancha

This masterpiece was published in two parts:

• The First Part: Appeared in 1605 with the title El ingenioso hidalgo don Quijote de la Mancha. It contains a prologue, 52 chapters, and burlesque poems collected in four parts.
• The Second Part: Published in 1615 with a title change to El ingenioso caballero don Quijote de la Mancha. It contains a prologue and 74 chapters.

Before the second part was finished, a volume titled El ingenioso hidalgo don Quijote de la Mancha appeared in 1614, signed by the pseudonymous Alonso Fernández de Avellaneda.