Reading the Classics discussion

Discussion thread for Week 6 of Don Quixote

Reading Don Quixote reminds me of “Arabian Thousand and One Nights” . That Don Quixote’s delusion is an artifice for the telling of stories.

I am also struck over and again at how savage thrashing of the various characters is met with mirth. I don’t think we see much of this kind of humor now a days. Principally in Saturday cartoons, Bugs Bunny, etc.

As for people being beaten, I think I have to look back to the three stooges.

This kind of humor always struck me as odd, particularly when it is designed for an audience of children, such as the 19th century “Punch and Judy” puppet show for children. (Which I also never understood)

L_Gail wrote: "Reading Don Quixote reminds me of “Arabian Thousand and One Nights” . That Don Quixote’s delusion is an artifice for the telling of stories.

I am also struck over and again at how savage thrashin..."

Me too! Not only Thousand and One Nights, but also Canterbury Tales. Along with Don Quixote, these three works seem to form a trinity of storytelling sagas.