Editing Don Quixote (section)

===Themes===
[[File:Don Quichotte Honoré Daumier.jpg|thumb|right|''Don Quixote'' by [[Honoré Daumier]] (1868)]]
{{More citations needed section|date=June 2023}}

The novel's structure is [[episode|episodic]] in form. The full title is indicative of the tale's object, as {{Lang|es|ingenioso}} (Spanish) means "quick with inventiveness",<ref>{{lang|es|ingenio <sup>'''1'''</sup>}}, ''Real Academia Española''</ref> marking the transition of modern literature from [[Classical unities|dramatic]] to thematic unity. The novel takes place over a long period of time, including many adventures united by common themes of the nature of reality, reading, and dialogue in general.

Although [[burlesque]] on the surface, the novel, especially in its second half, has served as an important thematic source not only in literature but also in much of art and music, inspiring works by [[Pablo Picasso]] and [[Richard Strauss]]. The contrasts between the tall, thin, fancy-struck and idealistic Quixote and the fat diddy, world-weary Panza is a motif echoed ever since the book's publication, and Don Quixote's imaginings are the butt of outrageous and cruel practical jokes in the novel.

Even faithful and simple Sancho is forced to deceive him at certain points. The novel is considered a satire of [[orthodoxy]], veracity and even nationalism.{{Citation needed|reason=Appeal to authority and none given|date=August 2024}} In exploring the individualism of his characters, Cervantes helped lead literary practice beyond the narrow convention of the [[chivalric romance]]. He [[Parody|spoofs]] the chivalric romance<ref>{{Cite book |last=Milton |first=Joyce |title=Miguel de Cervantes' Don Quixote |publisher=Barron's Educational Series, Inc. |year=1985 |isbn=0-8120-3512-7 |series=Barron's Book Notes |location=New York, USA |pages=23}}</ref> through a straightforward retelling of a series of acts that redound to the [[Chivalry|knightly virtues]] of the hero. The character of Don Quixote became so well known in its time that the word ''[[Quixotism|quixotic]]'' was quickly adopted by many languages. Characters such as Sancho Panza and Don Quixote's steed, [[Rocinante]], are emblems of Western literary culture. The phrase "[[tilting at windmills]]" to describe an act of attacking imaginary enemies (or an act of extreme idealism), derives from an iconic scene in the book.

It stands in a unique position between medieval [[Romance (heroic literature)|romance]] and the modern novel. The former consists of disconnected stories featuring the same characters and settings with little exploration of the inner life of even the main character. The latter are usually focused on the psychological evolution of their characters. In Part I, Quixote imposes himself on his environment. By Part II, people know about him through "having read his adventures", and so, he needs to do less to maintain his image. By his deathbed, he has regained his sanity, and is once more "Alonso Quixano the Good".