Miguel Cervantes: biography, creativity, humanistic ideas

In 1605, a novel appeared on the shelves of the Madrid booksellers, whose author among his compatriots, rather, was known not so much for literary achievements as for suffering in the Algerian captivity. The name of this writer is Miguel Cervantes. The biography of the creator of the "lean, erratic hidalgo, full of thoughts that had never come to anyone's head", namely Don Quixote of La Mancha, is a series of adversities and heavy upheavals.

The Age of Cervantes

The author of one of the most famous characters was born, lived and died in deep poverty. The era in which he lived was extremely turbulent. Two years before his seventieth birthday, another great Miguel Cervantes departed into the world . His biography covers the years of the reign of the three kings, and the political picture of this period in the history of Spain is characterized by the gradual weakening of world domination and the despotism of power. At the same time, the 16th century is the time that in the homeland of Cervantes was marked by the emergence of a bright galaxy of talented writers, scientists and artists.

The life of the Spaniards of that time was full of alarm. Many have suffered a difficult fate. No exception in this sense is the writer Miguel Cervantes. His biography, however, according to the information that has reached our days, even on this background stands out. Fate seemed to have turned against him since his birth.

The Beggar Hidalgo

In the poem "Journey to Parnassus," Cervantes calls himself a man exhausted by poverty. His creations were used already in life with respect not only in Spain, but also abroad. And according to the recollections of one of the writer's compatriots, one notable Frenchman uttered a rather witty phrase: "If you create your own works of Cervantes makes you want, then God grant that she never left him, for by his creativity he is able to enrich the whole world."

Heavy blows of fate experienced on Miguel Cervantes. The biography of this writer contains such events as the wounding in the battle of Lepanto, the five-year captivity in Algeria and many more troubles, which, however, did not embitter and harden his heart. The long-suffering life did not deprive him of the clarity of his mind and the sharpness of his creativity. The works of Miguel Cervantes - proof that the author until the end of his days has not lost his gentleness and love for people. After all, even his last novel breathes an amazing love of life. He is called "The Journey of Persioles and Sikhismunda" and completed a few days before his death.

Biographical information

The Spanish writer was born in 1547. He was the fourth child in a family of a poor healer of noble birth. In addition, my father suffered from deafness and, unlike his grandfather, who held a rather respectable position, due to his physical flaw, he could not claim any judicial or administrative post. Of the kind of impoverished nobles, Cervantes's mother also took place. But, despite the impassable need, the family of the author of Don Quixote was very friendly. This is confirmed by the considerable amount that, with their poverty, relatives could gather to buy it out of Algerian captivity.

The main character of his main book, the writer created not only thanks to the boundless imagination, but also the experience of observation, which he indulged from a young age. The family often moved from place to place. And already in his childhood little Miguel was familiar with the authentic life of the impoverished Spanish nobility. Soon my father was arrested for non-payment of debts. The future writer began a vagabond life, which led him to the capital. In Madrid, Miguel Saavedra Cervantes was educated. His biography was not limited to the hardships of difficult childhood. In the late sixties in the Cervantes family came a real black streak. Both Miguel and his younger brother had to think about how to earn their own bread.

Court service

Miguel Servantes joined the ambassador in 1568. Service at the court was one of three possible ways for a young man from the noble family of the middle hand. But a few years later, for unknown reasons, Cervantes left Spain, and in 1970 joined the ranks of the Spanish army, stationed in Italy. Perhaps the cause of this act was a patriotic impulse and a desire to participate in repulsing Turkish aggression.

Italy

Even the early works of Miguel Cervantes show a high level of education and erudition. And this is not surprising. After all, the service in the Spanish army gave him the opportunity to visit Rome and other Italian cities. Staying in Italy not only allowed him to learn the language, but also to expand cultural knowledge. The study of the works of the great authors of the Renaissance was by no means limited to these years. It accompanied the entire creative path of the writer. "Talent, not experienced in science," Miguel Cervantes himself characterized himself. His books contain many references to the names of ancient authors and creators of Renaissance masterpieces. And it was in the Italian period that a thirst for reading, a love of literature and art, aroused in his soul.

In captivity

After a serious injury that turned Cervantes into an invalid, he intended to return to his homeland, which, as you know, turned into a long stay in the Algerian captivity. The humanistic ideas of Miguel Cervantes, which he preached throughout his creative career, began to be formed precisely during the years of bondage. The Algerian captivity displayed the highest spiritual qualities in him: fearlessness, will power and enterprise. And along with them the writer developed in himself kindness, nobility and sense of duty. Being in captivity, Cervantes not only did not lose faith in deliverance, but also instilled it in others. It was liberated in 1580.

The trials that fell to the writer's share and the humanistic world view, which he had infiltrated as a young man, formed the great author of the Renaissance. Hardships only strengthened his spirit and became a source of inspiration for the creation of great works. Feelings that he experienced in captivity, are reflected in some chapters of Don Quixote.

At home

Spain met her son unkindly. The family was in a deplorable state. The need has reached the extreme limit, the father is completely deaf. And the veteran of the landmark battle was not needed by anyone. To feed the family literary creativity Cervantes preferred military service. The material situation has improved for a while, but the future did not bode well for the writer or his relatives.

For fifteen years he lived in Seville, where luck seemed to smile at him. But the fulfillment of the duties of the commissioner for procurement, which brought people with an unclean conscience, was almost tragic for Cervantes. He, like the Knight of the Sorrowful Image, did not know how to deal with his conscience. And disagreements with the church authorities almost led him to the torture chamber of the Inquisition.

In Valladolid

In this city passed the years that embraced the third, very important period in the life of the writer. Unfortunately, the works of Miguel de Cervantes, created in Valladolid, did not survive in full. Survived the novel "Galatea" and more than thirty dramas and comedies. The play "The Sea Battle", which is mentioned in the memoirs of Cervantes, did not reach the modern reader. According to the title, it can be concluded that the action of this dramatic work takes place during the battle of Lepanto.

The play of "Numancia" became the peak of the Spanish drama of the golden age. This work has a deep patriotic meaning, thanks to which the Spanish spectator gained success.

Immortal novel in two volumes

To the question "What did Miguel Cervantes write?" Everyone will answer, of course: "Don Quixote". This immortal work falls at the late period of the author's life. The work of Miguel Cervantes, however, is not limited to the philosophical novel about the misadventures of a reckless knight. In those years, when Cervantes began to work on the creation of a great work of world literature, he wrote a number of remarkable novels. By the late period also includes the collection "Eight Comedies and Eight Interludes" and the poem "The Wanderings of Persioles."

About "Don Quixote" written a lot of books and articles. Creativity Miguel Cervantes interested and continues to interest literary critics around the world. Scientology-servantologists come forward with their own judgments and interpretations of the great work. Starting work on writing a book with a desire to ridicule the popular at that time style of the knightly novel, Cervantes created a literary masterpiece. And in it everything confirms the greatness of the author: the fusion of humanistic thought and folk wisdom, the idea of justice and protection of the weak, an unsurpassed satire.

Cervantes, as well as his heroes, wandering in search of justice and good, is alive. He is immortal. His work was and remains the subject of study of literary critics even today, four centuries after his death.