Answer one of the questions below.

  1. Is he just a madman? Clearly, Don Quixote is addled in the head (he sees giants where there are only windmills, armies where there are only sheep; he suspects his brains have been dashed out when he's really put a helmet filled with cottage curds on his head). Nevertheless, he has several qualities that we would associate with a classic hero. What exactly is the nature of the hero in Don Quixote?

    Be sure to cite some specific examples to back up your observations (for example, you might mention that he's unusually strong for his size; then describe a scene where he demonstrates unusual physical strength). By the way, don't JUST say he's strong :)

  2. The general effect of many of Don Quixote's speeches is both comic and serious. The underlying style of some of his set speeches are very eloquent, and the underlying messages are thought-provoking (he discusses theological values, social norms, virtue, faith, the loss of justice and innocence, valor, etc.).

    Show how Cervantes blends lunacy with genuine logic and intellegence and value in any one of Quixote's set speeches (you might want to look at his justification of pimps or his speech on "The Golden Age" that never was or the section "For I well know the meaning of valor"; don't limit yourself to these though).