Don Quixote 

Here is Gustave Doré's depiction of "Don Quixote" produced during the mid-19th century, an era marked by industrialization, urbanization, and intense social change. Doré was a French artist whose detailed engravings captured the nuances of human experience. This image encapsulates two scenes from Cervantes' novel: above, the town crier's announcement; below, Don Quixote chastising Sancho. The novel itself, published in the early 17th century, critiques societal norms through the lens of its titular character's idealism. Cervantes, through Quixote, seems to ask: what does it mean to live in a world increasingly defined by harsh realities? Doré’s intricate lines and dramatic compositions capture the emotional intensity of the narrative. This illustration invites us to reflect on the relationship between our ideals and the realities of our world. Quixote's idealism, though often comical, serves as a poignant commentary on the human spirit's capacity for hope and resistance in the face of societal pressures.