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Allegory
Definition of Alliteration
Alliteration is a figure of speech in which the same sound repeats in a group of words, such as the “b” sound in: “Bob brought the box of bricks to... read full definition
Alliteration is a figure of speech in which the same sound repeats in a group of words, such as the “b” sound in: “Bob brought... read full definition
Alliteration is a figure of speech in which the same sound repeats in a group of words, such as the... read full definition
Part 1, Chapter 2
Explanation and Analysis—Chivalric Literature :
In one of many instances in which Cervantes parodies chivalric literature, Don Quixote imagines how future authors will describe his exploits using extremely florid language:
As our fledgling adventurer rode along, he said to himself: ‘Who can doubt but that in future times, when the true history of my famous deeds sees the light, the sage who chronicles them will, when he recounts this my first sally, so early in the morning, write in this manner: “Scarce had ruddy Apollo spread over the face of the wide and spacious earth the golden tresses of his beauteous hair, and scarce had the speckled little birds with their harmonious tongues hailed in musical and mellifluous melody the approach of rosy Aurora [...]"
Don Quixote has just set out on his journey in hopes of finding adventure, fame, and glory. Optimistic about his prospects, he wonders how “the sage who chronicles” his exploits will write about his “first sally” into the unknown and mimics the extravagant tone of the chivalric literature that he venerates. Here, Cervantes parodies the conventions and cliches of chivalric literature, writing in an overwrought style that stands in stark contrast to his own. He alludes, with classical flourish, to the god Apollo to describe the sun and uses alliteration in such phrases as “musical and mellifluous melody.” Through this parody, Cervantes suggests that Don Quixote interprets the world around him through the highly idealized lens of chivalric literature.
Related Themes:
