The Literary Genius of Cervantes

The early years of the 17th century were tumultuous ones for Spain. The nation was still in shock after the staggering defeat given to its Catholic armada off the coast of England; entire sectors of the population had been expelled under the guise of blood purity; cities fell victim to plague and economic ruin; even the royal court would uproot itself in a move from Madrid to Valladolid and back again to Madrid. Meanwhile, political authority in the Iberian Peninsula and Spanish territories throughout Europe began to crumble just as quickly as it had been established.