Question

To Dream the Impossible Dream

Don Quixote might be seen as not simply crazy in his refusal to see things as they really are but more like a person who wants to accomplish a greater good and so refuses to compromise his ideals. Examples of such people include Nelson Mandela, Mahatma Gandhi, and Martin Luther King Jr.

Discuss (with examples and other evidence) whether or not they think Quixote deserves to be put in the company of real-world idealists or is merely delusional.

Answer 1

Don Quixote is a delusional romantic, who has read too many chivalric adventures. He assumes being a knight in the story and with the transforming power of illusion, makes monsters out of windmills and court-subjects out of ordinary people. This implies that the character of Don Quixote adds significant value on ordinary insignificant objects and people to suit to his perfect world of imagination.