Throughout the semester I read through the classical Spanish novel Don Quixote in both English and Spanish. The novel is a classic for many reasons, most notably it is the first major example of character development throughout a work of literature. The historical context of Don Quixote in 15th and 16th century Spain adds to the intricacies of the novel; the themes, issues, and commentary throughout the novel have political relevance in terms of Miguel Cervantes’ view of the state of his country as well as broader opinions of the Spanish people. As I read through the novel, I explored some of the deeper meanings of the text and some of the issues it presents through a series of mini-essays. At the conclusion of the novel, I furthered my analyses of these topics through the discussion of several related academic papers on Don Quixote.