In a Village of La Mancha - Miguel de Cervantes
Created at: June 5, 2024
In a village of La Mancha, the name of which I have no desire to call to mind, there lived not long since one of those gentlemen that keep a lance in the lance-rack, an old buckler, a lean hack, and a greyhound for coursing. - Miguel de Cervantes
Introduction to Don Quixote
This is the opening line of Miguel de Cervantes' famous novel, 'Don Quixote.' It sets the stage for introducing the main character, an aging gentleman who is to become the titular knight-errant.
Setting and Atmosphere
Cervantes starts by giving a vague and somewhat nostalgic description of the setting, indicating a small village in the region of La Mancha in Spain. This serves to create a bucolic and almost timeless atmosphere.
Description of Don Quixote
The description of the protagonist includes traditional items of a gentleman of the time— a lance, an old buckler (shield), a lean hack (horse), and a greyhound. These elements help characterize him as a man holding on to chivalric ideals in a time that has moved beyond them.
Foreshadowing
The mention of these items hints at the adventures to come and the antiquated and somewhat absurd world that Don Quixote will navigate, foreshadowing his delusions of grandeur and quest for knighthood.
Historical and Cultural Context
Cervantes wrote this novel in the early 17th century, a time when tales of knights and chivalry were declining in popularity. The mention of these old-fashioned objects highlights the contrast between past and present values, providing social commentary on the changing times.