Miguel de Cervantes - 10 things to know with detail
- 1. Cervantes was born in 1547 in Alcalá de Henares, Spain. He was the fourth of seven children in his family.
- 2. He is best known for his novel "Don Quixote," which is considered one of the greatest works of literature ever written. It was first published in two parts in 1605 and 1615.
- 3. Cervantes led a very eventful life, serving as a soldier in the Spanish Navy and being captured by pirates and held as a slave for five years in Algiers.
- 4. Despite his literary success, Cervantes struggled financially throughout his life and often had to rely on the support of patrons to survive.
- 5. In addition to "Don Quixote," Cervantes wrote numerous plays, poems, and short stories, although he never achieved the same level of success as he did with his most famous work.
- 6. Cervantes' writing style is characterized by its humor, satire, and keen insight into human nature. He is often considered one of the pioneers of the modern novel.
- 7. Cervantes' influence on literature has been profound, with many later writers, including Mark Twain, Charles Dickens, and Gabriel García Márquez, citing him as a major inspiration.
- 8. Cervantes died in 1616 in Madrid, Spain, just days before the death of William Shakespeare. Both are considered two of the greatest writers in the history of Western literature.
- 9. Cervantes' legacy continues to be celebrated to this day, with numerous festivals, museums, and literary prizes dedicated to his work.
- 10. In recognition of his contributions to Spanish literature, Cervantes was granted a state funeral and buried in the Convent of the Barefoot Trinitarians in Madrid.