Cervantes and the Burlesque Sonnet

Cervantes and the Burlesque Sonnet delves into the overlooked yet rich tradition of burlesque poetry, with a focus on the humorous works of Spain’s literary titan, Miguel de Cervantes. Often overshadowed by his masterpiece, Don Quixote, Cervantes’s burlesque sonnets reveal his prowess not only as a storyteller but as a poet who masterfully wielded humor to critique and celebrate human folly. This book offers an in-depth analysis of these sonnets, framing them as a critical part of Cervantes’s legacy and as a lens to better understand his broader comedic vision. By examining the playful ridicule and festive spirit of his burlesque poetry, the study showcases Cervantes’s ability to use humor as both an artistic and philosophical tool.

Burlesque, with its roots in mockery and inversion, stands apart from satire by embracing a more festive, less censorious tone. Cervantes's burlesque sonnets, full of vibrant ridicule and playful trickery, reflect a worldview that finds joy in the absurdities of life. The book situates these poems within the broader European comic tradition while arguing for their unique aesthetic value. Eschewing the "beautiful" for the bawdy and the laughable, Cervantes’s burlesque challenges readers to embrace imperfection and irrationality as quintessential human traits. Through this lens, the burlesque sonnets not only entertain but also invite profound reflections on truth, humanity, and the comic undercurrents of existence.

This title is part of UC Press's Voices Revived program, which commemorates University of California Press’s mission to seek out and cultivate the brightest minds and give them voice, reach, and impact. Drawing on a backlist dating to 1893, Voices Revived makes high-quality, peer-reviewed scholarship accessible once again using print-on-demand technology. This title was originally published in 1991.