Miguel de Cervantes Saavedra: The Fate of a Writer Amidst a Great Era
- Paravoz.es
- Feb 28
- 5 min read
Miguel de Cervantes Saavedra (1547–1616) was one of the greatest writers in history, the author of the first modern novel, The Ingenious Gentleman Don Quixote of La Mancha. His life was full of adventures, hardships, and struggles, reflecting the dramatic events of Spanish and European history at the end of the 16th and the beginning of the 17th century.
Miguel de Cervantes was born in 1547 in Alcalá de Henares to a poor but noble family. His father, Rodrigo de Cervantes, was a surgeon, a profession that at the time brought neither high status nor wealth. Due to financial difficulties, the family moved frequently. It is possible that Cervantes received his education at a Jesuit school, but there are no definitive records of this. In his youth, he demonstrated literary talent and wrote poetry.
Military Career and Captivity in Algiers (1569–1580)
In 1569, Cervantes traveled to Italy and entered the service of Cardinal Giulio Acquaviva. In 1571, he took part in the Battle of Lepanto, one of the most significant battles of the era, where the combined Christian fleet achieved victory over the Ottoman Empire. Although the battle did not lead to the collapse of the Ottoman Empire, it halted its expansion into Western Europe and became a crucial milestone in naval history. This was the last great battle of the galley fleet, after which a new era of navigation began.
During the battle, Cervantes sustained three injuries, one of which left his left hand paralyzed. This earned him the nickname "The One-Handed Man of Lepanto."
In 1575, while returning to Spain, Cervantes was captured by Algerian pirates and sold into slavery. For five years, he made numerous escape attempts but was repeatedly caught. Due to his courage, he earned the respect of both fellow captives and his captors.
Cervantes' liberation from Algerian captivity in 1580 was the culmination of his long and painful years in slavery. Despite their dire financial situation, his family made continuous efforts to raise money for his ransom. Ultimately, monks from the Order of Mercedarians, who were dedicated to the redemption of Christian captives, played a crucial role in securing his release.
The Order of Mercedarians was founded in the 13th century with the mission of rescuing captives from Muslim slavery. They collected donations throughout Spain and used these funds to free captives, sometimes even offering themselves in exchange for prisoners.
In 1580, Father Juan Gil, a representative of the order, arrived in Algiers to free as many captives as possible. The ransom for Cervantes amounted to 500 escudos—a huge sum at the time. The money was gathered by his mother, sister, friends, and the order itself. After being ransomed, Cervantes and several other freed captives set sail from Algiers and landed in the Spanish port of Dénia, in the Kingdom of Valencia, in September 1580.
His return home was not triumphant. Exhausted but unbroken, he hoped that the royal court would reward him for his loyal service, considering his participation in the Battle of Lepanto and his heroism in captivity. However, he received neither a pension nor a respectable position, forcing him to wander in search of work.
Despite these hardships, his experiences deeply influenced his writing. Many scenes of captivity, escape, and suffering in his works (such as The Exemplary Novels) were based on real events he endured in Algiers.
Life After Captivity: Poverty and Disappointments (1580–1604)
After returning home, Cervantes struggled to establish a career but failed. He worked as a military supplier and a tax collector, but he was repeatedly accused of financial mismanagement. He was even imprisoned several times. In 1585, he published his first novel, La Galatea, which was unsuccessful. Over the next 20 years, he continued to write plays, poetry, and novellas but remained in poverty.
At that time, Spain was at the height of its power but was beginning to lose its dominance on the international stage. The Dutch Revolt, the defeat of the Spanish Armada, and endless wars weakened the country. The royal court was mired in intrigue, and the economy was in crisis. All of this was reflected in Cervantes’ works, as he witnessed injustice and corruption in power.
The Birth of Don Quixote (1605–1615)
n 1605, the first part of Don Quixote was published, becoming a sensation. It was not just a parody of chivalric romances but a profound philosophical work about the conflict between dreams and reality. However, Cervantes received only a small sum for the book, as publishers at the time profited from book sales, not the authors.
In 1614, a fake Don Quixote was published by an unknown author (known as "False Cervantes"). This angered Cervantes, prompting him to complete the authentic sequel. In 1615, he released the second part of the novel, which was even more complex and philosophical, securing his place in literary history.
Final Years and Death (1616)
In his final years, Cervantes continued writing. In 1613, he published The Exemplary Novels, and in 1616, he completed his last novel, The Travels of Persiles and Sigismunda. On April 16, 1616, he wrote the prologue, knowing that his death was near.
On April 22, 1616, the great writer passed away in poverty. He was buried in a convent in Madrid, though the exact location of his grave remained unknown for many years.
Possible Connections to Espionage
Some researchers believe that Cervantes may have worked as a spy for the Spanish intelligence service. After his release from captivity, he unexpectedly traveled to Oran (Algeria), allegedly to gather information. In 1582, he visited Lisbon, where King Philip II resided. His work as a tax collector and army supplier allowed him to travel and collect intelligence. In 1597, he was imprisoned in Seville, and some theories suggest he may have reported corruption to the royal authorities.
There is no documentary proof of his espionage activities, but many facts suggest possible connections to intelligence operations.
Cervantes’ Era: Wars, Crises, and Intrigues
Cervantes' life unfolded amidst great historical events:
1569–1571 – The Morisco Revolt in Granada, Battle of Lepanto.
1580 – Annexation of Portugal by Spain.
1585–1604 – Anglo-Spanish War, defeat of the Spanish Armada (1588).
1568–1648 – Dutch Revolt (Spain loses northern provinces).
1609 – Expulsion of the Moriscos, which harmed the economy.
1615 – Dynastic marriage between Spain and France.
Under King Philip II, Spain was powerful, but by the end of Philip III’s reign (1598–1621), decline had begun. The court was consumed by corruption, ruled by favorites like the Duke of Lerma. This was reflected in Cervantes’ works.
Legacy
Cervantes left an indelible mark on world culture. Don Quixote is considered the first modern novel, influencing Dostoevsky, Tolstoy, Flaubert, and many others. The Spanish language is often called "the language of Cervantes," and April 23, the date of his death, is now celebrated as World Book Day.
Cervantes’ life is a story of struggle, resilience, and talent. He died in poverty, but his name became immortal.
