Miguel de Cervantes is a world famous Spanish writer, playwright, poet and soldier. The novel “The Cunning Hidalgo Don Quixote of La Mancha” brought him the greatest popularity, which is considered one of greatest works in the world classics.

There are many interesting and unusual moments in Cervantes that you can learn about right now.

So, in front of you short biography Miguel Cervantes.

Biography of Cervantes

Miguel de Cervantes Saavedra was born on September 29, 1547 in the Spanish city of Alcale de Henares. He grew up in a simple family, descended from a noble family.

His father, Rodrigo de Cervantes, worked as a doctor. Mother, Leonor de Cortina, was the daughter of a bankrupt nobleman. In addition to Miguel, Cervantes' parents had six more children.

Childhood and youth

It is worth noting that we don’t know much about the first years of Miguel Cervantes’ life. It is known that elementary education he received in different schools due to his family's frequent moves.

Having reached the age of 22, Cervantes became a casual participant street fight, as a result of which he had to leave the country to avoid criminal prosecution.

He went to Italy, where he soon found himself in the retinue of Cardinal Acquaviva. It played important role in his biography.

According to some sources, by 1570 Miguel Cervantes became a marine in Spain. In 1971, Cervantes took part in a bloody battle near Lepanto. In this battle he was seriously wounded in left hand, which remained motionless until the end of his life.

An interesting fact is that after recovering from his wound, Cervantes continued to serve in the navy. The writer repeatedly visited various sea expeditions and even took part in the assault on Navarino.

Captivity and release

Miguel de Cervantes in his youth

These letters were supposed to help the brave soldier get a promotion. However, this was not destined to happen, since a sharp turn took place in Cervantes’ biography.

Returning to his homeland in the fall of 1575, Miguel Cervantes's galley was attacked by Algerian corsairs, after which the future writer, along with his colleagues, was captured.

Miguel Cervantes was enslaved by pirates for 5 years. And although he repeatedly tried to escape, they all ended in failure.

The time spent in captivity seriously influenced his biography in general, and the formation of his personality in particular.

In the future, Cervantes will describe all kinds of bullying to which the heroes of his works are regularly subjected. This is not surprising, because Cervantes knew about all this first-hand.

In 1580, in order to ransom her son from captivity, Miguel's mother sold everything she had. Thanks to this, the writer was freed and was able to return home.

Creative biography of Cervantes

On December 12, 1584, Cervantes married 19-year-old Catalina Palacios de Salazar, from whom he received a small dowry. It is interesting that during this period of his biography he was born illegitimate daughter Isabel.

Soon, the Cervantes family began to experience serious financial difficulties, which is why Miguel went back to serve. He took part in the campaign to Lisbon, and also took part in the battles to conquer the Azov Islands.

Returning home, Cervantes got serious about writing activity. An interesting fact is that he began to compose his first poems and plays during his captivity.

Cervantes's first novel, entitled Galatea, brought him some popularity, but money was still sorely lacking. He had practically nothing to support his family.

Works of Cervantes

Experiencing financial difficulties, Miguel Cervantes decided to leave for Seville. In this city he received a position in one financial department.

And although the payment for his work was not so great, he believed that he would soon financial situation will change for the better. The writer also hoped that he might be transferred to work in America, but this never happened.

As a result, after living in Seville for 10 years, Cervantes failed to make any fortune. During this biographical period, he wrote the short stories “Rinconet and Cortadilla” and “Spanish Flu in England.” In addition, several poems and sonnets came from his pen.

Don Quixote by Cervantes

At the beginning of the 17th century, Cervantes moved to live in Valladolid. There he made a living by carrying out various assignments from private individuals, as well as by writing.

Cervantes' biographers claim that he once witnessed a duel in which one of the opponents was mortally wounded. As a result of this incident, Miguel was summoned to court and then kept in prison until all the circumstances of the case were clarified.

One of Cervantes’s personal notes contains information that it was in prison that he wanted to write a work about a man who, having lost his mind from reading books about knights, set off to perform various feats.

Upon his release, Miguel began writing the novel Don Quixote, which would make him one of the most popular authors in the world.

Many people wanted to buy a book whose hero they liked so much to the common people. Later the novel began to be translated into different languages peace.

last years of life

In 1606, Miguel de Cervantes left for Madrid. An interesting fact is that, having gained great fame and being at the peak of his popularity, he still needed money.

In 1615, the 2nd part of the novel “Don Quixote” was published. Shortly before his death, he completed writing the book “The Wanderings of Persiles and Sikhismunda.”

Death

Miguel de Cervantes Saavedra died on April 22, 1616 in Madrid. An interesting fact is that a few days before his death he decided to become a monk.

It is still unknown exactly where he was buried great writer. A number of biographers of Cervantes believe that his grave is located on the territory of one of the Spanish temples.

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Miguel de Cervantes Saavedra, Miguel de Cervantes Saavedra; Spain Madrid; 09/29/1547 – 04/23/1616

The books of Miguel Cervantes need no introduction. This one is worldwide famous classic literature. His works have been translated into more than 60 languages, and the total circulation of his books is simply incalculable. All over the world, Cervantes’ novel “Don Quixote” is read, which for the poet and prose writer became the work that carried his name through the centuries.

Biography of Miguel Cervantes

Miguel Cervantes became the fourth child in the family of a bankrupt Spanish nobleman. Quite a bit is known about his childhood and there is no reliable information about the place where he studied. It is only known that he soon moved to Rome, and at the age of 23 he was enlisted in the Marine Regiment. Just a year later he had the chance to participate in the Battle of Lepanto, where he received three wounds. One of these wounds caused the loss of his left arm.

In 1575, returning to Barcelona, ​​he was captured by Algerian pirates and enslaved for five years. After his ransom from captivity, he had the opportunity to work in different places. And in 1584 he married Catalina de Salaras. First literary works Cervantes' novella "Galatea", which did not receive due recognition. In addition, Cervantes wrote several more plays, which also did not receive wide recognition.

In search of food, Miguel Cervantes takes the position of quartermaster, and he begins to purchase provisions for the fleet. But his gullibility played against him. The banker to whom Cervantes entrusted all the money fled. As a result, he goes to prison. The writer wrote the first part of his greatest book in 1604. Almost immediately after its publication, reading Don Quixote by Miguel Cervantes became so popular that there were four editions of the book at once. In addition, the work is translated into many European languages.

In the future, the author does not stop writing, but this has little effect on his poor financial situation. In 1615, the second part of Cervantes' novel Don Quixote was published. In addition, the writer publishes several more of his works. But in 1616 he died of dropsy of the brain.

Books by Miguel Cervantes on the Top books website

Cervantes' novel Don Quixote has remained in demand in many countries around the world for many centuries. And our country is no exception; Miguel Cervantes is read with the same rapture and, for sure, his works will remain, still in demand in the future.

Miguel Cervantes book list

1. The Wanderings of Persiles and Sikhismunda
2. Numancia
3. Edifying short stories
4. Galatea

Interludes:

1. Salaman cave
2. The Widowed Fraud Called Trumpagos
3. Biscayan impostor
4. Two talkers
5. Divorce Judge
6. Theater of Miracles
7. Argus
8. Election of alcaldes to Daganso
9. Jealous old man

Don Quixote:

1. The cunning hidalgo Don Quixote of La Mancha. Part 2

Born in 1547 in the provincial town of Alcala de Henares, thirty kilometers from Madrid, in the family of a surgeon.

The future writer's large family lived in poverty, but was famous for the title of hidalgo. In the Cervantes family, Miguel was the fourth among seven children.

Even with such a title, the Cervantes family, led by father Rodrigo, had to move from place to place in search of income.

There are unverified reports that he studied at the University of Salamanca. Cervantes left his native land and, having arrived in Italy, became acquainted with the art of ancient times and the Renaissance.

In Rome, he drew inspiration and studied the works of Italian writers, which left its mark on the author’s later works.

In 1570 he enlisted in the naval infantry of Naples. It is also known that he participated in the Battle of Lepanto, where he lost his left arm. During this battle, the writer showed heroism and courage, of which he was rightfully proud.

In addition, during his service, the writer took part in campaigns to Corfu and Navarino. He was present at the surrender of Tunisia and La Gleta to the Ottoman Empire. Returning home from service, Cervantes is captured by Algerian pirates, who sell him into slavery. The future writer made several unsuccessful attempts to escape and miraculously escaped execution. After spending five years in captivity, he was ransomed by missionaries.

Miguel de Cervantes started quite late. Upon returning home, he wrote his first work, Galatea, which was followed by many other dramatic plays. Unfortunately, his works were not in great demand, which forced him to look for other sources of income: he either took on the purchase of provisions for ships, or worked as a collector of arrears.

The life of the future author was difficult, full of hardships and hardships. He had to go through a lot, nevertheless, Miguel constantly worked on the work of his whole life, and in 1604 the first part of the immortal novel “The Cunning Hidalgo Don Quixote of La Mancha” was published for the first time. The work immediately created a sensation, the book literally flew off the shelves, and translations were made into many languages. However, this did not improve the author’s financial situation.

Cervantes continued to write actively for 12 years, from 1604 to 1616. Numerous short stories were born dramatic works, a sequel to the bestselling Don Quixote, as well as a novel published only after the death of the author of Persiles and Sikhismund.

Miguel took monastic vows presumably in 1616, the same year the world-famous writer, who lived a difficult life, died. For a long time, the writer’s grave remained lost due to the lack of an inscription on his tomb. Cervantes's contribution to world literature, he became the founder of a personal epic.

Cervantes's importance is based mainly on the novel Don Quixote. This work, known today throughout the world, fully reveals his versatile genius. There is a deep analysis of the nature of people here, from two angles: idealism and realism. The destinies of his heroes, who complement each other in the best possible way, reflect all the salt of world irony. Leading your knight through real life, the author reveals a diverse panorama of Spanish society.

Biography

early years

Miguel Cervantes was born into a family of impoverished nobles, in the city of Alcala de Henares. His father, Hidalgo Rodrigo de Cervantes, was a modest doctor, his mother, Doña Leonor de Cortina, was the daughter of a nobleman who lost his fortune. There were seven children in their family, Miguel was the fourth child [ ] . Very little is known about the early stages of Cervantes' life. The date of his birth is considered to be September 29, 1547 (the day of the Archangel Michael). This date is established approximately on the basis of the records of the church register and the then existing tradition of giving a child a name in honor of the saint whose feast day falls on his birthday. It is reliably known that Cervantes was baptized on October 9, 1547 in the Church of Santa Maria la Mayor in the city of Alcala de Henares.

Some biographers claim that Cervantes studied at the University of Salamanca, but there is no conclusive evidence for this version. There is also an unconfirmed version that he studied with the Jesuits in Cordoba or Seville.

According to Abraham Chaim, president of the Sephardi community in Jerusalem, Cervantes’ mother came from a family of baptized Jews. Cervantes's father was a nobleman, but in his hometown Alcala de Henares is the home of his ancestors, which is located in the center of the juderia, that is, the Jewish quarter. Cervantes' house is located in the former Jewish part of the city [ ] .

Activities of the writer in Italy

The reasons that prompted Cervantes to leave Castile remain unknown. Whether he was a student, or a fugitive from justice, or fleeing from a royal arrest warrant for wounding Antonio de Sigura in a duel, is another mystery about his life. In any case, having left for Italy, he did what other young Spaniards did for their careers in one way or another. Rome opened for young writer their church rituals and grandeur. In a city replete with ancient ruins, Cervantes discovered ancient art and also concentrated his attention on Renaissance art, architecture and poetry (his knowledge of Italian literature can be seen in his works). He was able to find in achievements ancient world a powerful impetus for the revival of art. Thus, the enduring love for Italy, which is visible in his more later works, was in its own way a desire to return to early period Renaissance.

Military career and the Battle of Lepanto

There is another, unlikely, version of the loss of a hand. Due to the poverty of his parents, Cervantes received a meager education and, unable to find a means of subsistence, was forced to steal. Allegedly, it was for theft that he was deprived of his hand, after which he had to leave for Italy. However, this version is not credible - if only because at that time thieves’ hands were no longer cut off, as they were sent to the galleys, where both hands were required.

The Duke of Sessé, presumably in 1575, gave Miguel letters of introduction (lost by Miguel during his capture) for the king and ministers, as he reported in his testimony dated July 25, 1578. He asked the king to show mercy and help to the brave soldier.

In Algerian captivity

In September 1575, Miguel Cervantes and his brother Rodrigo were returning from Naples to Barcelona aboard the galley "The Sun" (la Galera del Sol). On the morning of September 26, on the approach to the Catalan coast, the galley was attacked by Algerian corsairs. The attackers were resisted, as a result of which many members of the Sun's crew were killed, and the rest were captured and taken to Algeria. :236 Letters of recommendation found on Miguel Cervantes led to an increase in the amount of the required ransom. Cervantes spent 5 years (-) in Algerian captivity, tried to escape four times and was only miraculously not executed. In captivity he was often subjected to various tortures.

Father Rodrigo de Cervantes, according to his petition dated March 17, 1578, indicated that his son "was captured in a galley" Sun“, under the command of Carrillo de Quesada,” and that he “received wounds from two arquebus shots in the chest, and was maimed in the left arm, which he could not use.” The father did not have the funds to ransom Miguel due to the fact that he had previously ransomed his other son, Rodrigo, who was also on that ship, from captivity. The witness to this petition, Mateo de Santisteban, noted that he had known Miguel for eight years, and met him when he was 22 or 23 years old, on the day of the battle of Lepanto. He also testified that Miguel “ on the day of the battle he was sick and had a fever", and he was advised to stay in bed, but he decided to take part in the battle. For his distinction in battle, the captain presented him with four ducats in addition to his usual pay.

The news (in the form of letters) about Miguel’s stay in Algerian captivity was delivered by soldier Gabriel de Castañeda, a resident of the mountain valley of Carriedo from the village of Salazar. According to his information, Miguel was held captive for about two years (that is, since 1575) by a Greek convert to Islam, captain Arnautriomas.

Miguel's mother's petition from 1580 reported that she asked " give permission for the export of 2000 ducats in the form of goods from the kingdom of Valencia" to ransom her son.

Service in Seville

Intention to travel to America

Miguel de Cervantes. Edifying short stories. Translation from Spanish by B. Krzhevsky. Moscow. Publishing house " Fiction" 1983

Personal life

Almost on his deathbed, Cervantes did not stop working; a few days before his death, he took monastic vows. On April 22, 1616, his life ended (he died of dropsy), which the bearer himself in his philosophical humor called “long indiscretion” and, leaving which, he “carried away on his shoulders a stone with an inscription that read the destruction of his hopes.” However, according to the customs of that time, the date of his death was recorded as the date of his funeral - April 23. Because of this, it is sometimes said that the date of death of Cervantes coincides with the date of death of another great writer - William Shakespeare, in fact, Cervantes died 11 days earlier (since, at that time, the Gregorian calendar was in force in Spain, and the Julian calendar in England). April 23, 1616 is sometimes considered the end of the Renaissance. For a long time no one knew the exact burial place of the outstanding Spanish writer. Only in 2015 did archaeologists manage to discover his remains, which were solemnly reburied in the Cathedral of the Holy Trinity in Madrid.

Heritage

The monument to Cervantes was erected in Madrid only in 1835 (sculptor Antonio Sola); on the pedestal there are two inscriptions in Latin and Spanish: “To Miguel de Cervantes Saavedra, king of the Spanish poets, year M.D.CCC.XXXV.”

Global significance Cervantes rests mainly on his novel Don Quixote, a complete, comprehensive expression of his varied genius. Conceived as a satire on the chivalric romances that flooded all literature at that time, as the author definitely states in the “Prologue,” this work little by little, perhaps even independently of the will of the author, turned into a deep psychological analysis human nature, two sides of mental activity - noble idealism, but crushed by reality, and realistic practicality.

Both of these sides found brilliant manifestation in the immortal types of the hero of the novel and his squire; in their sharp opposition they - and this is the deep psychological truth - nevertheless constitute one person; only the fusion of these two essential aspects of the human spirit constitutes a harmonious whole. Don Quixote is funny, his adventures depicted with a brilliant brush - if you don’t think about their inner meaning - cause uncontrollable laughter; but it is soon replaced by a thinking and feeling reader with another laughter, “laughter through tears,” which is an essential and integral condition of any great humorous creation.

In Cervantes's novel, in the fate of his hero, it was precisely world irony that was reflected in a high ethical form. In beatings and all kinds of other insults to which the knight is subjected - with some anti-artisticness in them literary respect, is one of the best expressions this irony. Turgenev noted another very important point in the novel - the death of its hero: at this moment all the great significance of this person becomes accessible to everyone. When his former squire, wanting to console him, tells him that they will soon go on knightly adventures, “No,” the dying man answers, “all this is gone forever, and I ask everyone for forgiveness.”

Bibliography

• "Galatea", 1585
• "The Destruction of Numancia"
• "Algerian Morals"
• “Sea Battle” (not preserved)
• “The cunning hidalgo Don Quixote of La Mancha”, 1605, 1615
• “Edifying Stories”, collection, 1613
• "Journey to Parnassus", 1614
• “Eight comedies and eight interludes, new, never presented on stage,” collection, 1615
• "The Wanderings of Persiles and Sikhismunda", 1617

Russian translations

Memory

• The asteroid (529) Preciosa, discovered in 1904, was named in honor of the heroine of Cervantes' novella “The Gypsy Girl” (according to another version, it was named after the title of a play by Pius Alexander Wolff, written in 1810).
• The asteroids (571) Dulcinea (discovered in 1905) and (3552) Don Quixote (discovered in 1983) are named in honor of the heroine and hero of the novel “The Cunning Hidalgo Don Quixote of La Mancha”.
• In 1965, Salvador Dali made the series "Five Immortal Spaniards", which included Cervantes, El Cid, El Greco, Velazquez and Don Quixote.
• In 1966, a USSR postage stamp dedicated to Cervantes was issued.
• In 1976, a crater was named in honor of Cervantes. Cervantes on Mercury.
• On September 18, 2005, in honor of Cervantes, the asteroid discovered on February 2, 1992 by E. V. Elst at the European Southern Observatory was given the name "79144 Cervantes".
• The Plaza de España in Madrid is decorated with a sculptural composition, central figure which are Cervantes and his most famous heroes.
• A monument to Miguel Cervantes was erected in Moscow in Friendship Park.
• An Argentine Churruca-class destroyer is named after Cervantes.
• A monument to Cervantes was erected in the Spanish city of Toledo.
• A monument to Cervantes is erected in the city of Seville.
• The monument to Cervantes was erected in the Greek city of Nafpaktos (formerly Lepanto).
• A street in the settlement of Sosenskoye is named after Cervantes