Hi, Geo-Steve.
A couple of years ago, there was a question pretty much along the lines of what you asked; you could probably ask Borderstone or someone else to look it up (B'stone has a penchant for finding long-lost threads and reviving them--I'm grateful for that) The long and the short of it (mostly the long, since as a prof. it's in my contract to be a windbag) is that there is quite a bit of Cervantes' book in the song and the poem, although with a 1970's sort of take; around then DQ was celebrated as an idealist and a dreamer (although the line "he shouts across the ocean to the shore" shows how futile his efforts are). Again, if you find the thread, you'll see some details of what was said.
There have been lots of other interpretations of the novel--at present, I'm looking at an analysis from the 1930s by Ramiro de Maeztu that basically says that Cervantes was showing the decline of Spain and that DQ was basically an anachronistic figure showing how Spain's Golden Age was ending while falling well short of its goals and ideals. There's room for that interpretation, and many others as well--one thing that Spanish literature of that generation did, and Cervantes did particularly well, was to show the validity of many contradictory interpretations of "truth", because of the basically contradictory nature of life itself.
I think that's one of the reasons that I enjoy GL's music; there's a basic idealism that forms the core of his music, but there is acknowledgment of real life, real problems and failings, as people go about this business of life. I could give many examples of parallels between Cervantes (both in his life and in his works) and GL (also both in his life and in his works) along these lines, but after all, it is summer vacation--class dismissed!
DQ

Originally posted by Don Quixote: I could give many examples of parallels between Cervantes (both in his life and in his works) and GL (also both in his life and in his works) along these lines, but after all, it is summer vacation--class dismissed!
DQ

If you find the time, I would love to see at least a a couple of examples. But first, have fun !

RMD

JJ - it is clear you did not say you heard a boo you do say "think" you heard booing.
Others have offered up their thoughts. I don't know who of those who have offered up their thoughts were at Massey that night but I know I didn't hear booing..
It could have been someone yelling "woo-hoo" in praise of the 'tree-huggers."

JJ - it is clear you did not say you heard a boo you do say "think" you heard booing.
Others have offered up their thoughts. I don't know who of those who have offered up their thoughts were at Massey that night but I know I didn't hear booing..
It could have been someone yelling "woo-hoo" in praise of the 'tree-huggers."

I at the beginning Charlene thought it might be you that yelled, "Corfid Loves You", LOL

I know no one will boo Gord or Suzuki, especially in Toronto's Massey Hall. Nor in the Atlantic Provinces, for that matter no where's.

I at the beginning Charlene thought it might be you that yelled, "Corfid Loves You", LOL

I know no one will boo Gord or Suzuki, especially in Toronto's Massey Hall. Nor in the Atlantic Provinces, for that matter no where's.

Hi, RMD.
I don't want to do a lot of analysis, but I see these parallels:
"Restless" is a good word, and song, to describe both of them. We know of Gord as the wandering minstrel, the northwoods canoer, the writer of songs about trains, airplanes and highways. Cervantes was born to an itinerant surgeon (not like today's millionaire surgeons--this was a pretty hand-to-mouth existence), who would wander from town to town doing minor medical procedures. That wanderlust was part of Cervantes' character, as he traveled to Italy to study, joined the army (and was wounded in battle), and even applied to go to the New World to seek his fortune (Fortune intervened, his request was denied, and he had to remain in Spain to write what many have called the world's greatest novel). The observations from his travels are infused in his writing, just as they are with Gord's.
Like GL, Cervantes had a somewhat troubled personal life. He married a woman much younger than he, and with whom he did not get along, but also fathered a child out of wedlock and was arrested for fighting a duel and severely wounding his opponent. The biggest link that I see between the two is right here: how they are able to describe beautiful situations and see life from the perspective of the ideal, while also showing human flaws (including their own), as well as depicting both the ideal and the real with well-turned phrases, and sometimes of wink of an eye and good humor; this intermingling of the ideal and the real (think of, for example, "Wild Strawberries")is, as I've stated in another post, one of the defining characteristics of Cervantes. One more interesting (I hope) link that I've seen is how music, women and love are intertwined. Think of "Make Way for the Lady" and "Harmony"--is he talking about a concrete individual, love in general, or the musical muse? In some ways they are fused and become one and the same. In DQ, the knight dedicates his victories to Dulcinea del Toboso, a concrete person (although really pig herder), who becomes the incarnation of love and beauty, and his inspiration for victory.
That's enough for now; I'd be glad to answer any other questions you have.
Cheers,
DQ

I too was a Don Quixote fan before knowing of the song. When my parents and I lived in Central America, I acquired a wood carving of Don Quixote and became very fascinated with the character. I read the book when I was in the 7th grade just because I was interested in learning more about the character Cervantes created - not that I can remember all the details of the book these many years later. I really should pull it out and read it again. I also love the musical, Man Of La Mancha.

DQ, thanks for sharing your thoughts on a topic that I still find most interesting.

This is how I always think of Inspiration Lady as well. To me it is not a person, but the muse itself coming to visit, seeing him through, frustrating and delighting him at the same time. I have to say the video just didn't do it for me, although even it that it did not concentrate on one particular women, but a compilation of many.

DQ, you really should post more often, I enjoy your thoughts and ideas. I've never read Don Quixote, but now will put it on my to do list.
Jenney

This is how I always think of Inspiration Lady as well. To me it is not a person, but the muse itself coming to visit, seeing him through, frustrating and delighting him at the same time. I have to say the video just didn't do it for me, although even it that it did not concentrate on one particular women, but a compilation of many.

DQ, you really should post more often, I enjoy your thoughts and ideas. I've never read Don Quixote, but now will put it on my to do list.
Jenney

Jenney, I saw a Gordon Lightfoot interview on CMT Canada. I have it on VHS & DVD and Stu Jeffries the interviewer, asked him about Inspiration Lady. And the Poet genius answered it was written for his wife Elizabeth. Maybe you did or did not know that, But just thought I would slip that bit of info to you. Maybe you did know that, but choose to look at it the way you describe it to DQ...Jesse.

[ July 20, 2006, 06:57: Message edited by: Jesse -Joe ]

Jenney, I saw a Gordon Lightfoot interview on CMT Canada. I have it on VHS & DVD and Stu Jeffries the interviewer, asked him about Inspiration Lady. And the Poet genius answered it was written for his wife Elizabeth. Maybe you did or did not know that, But just thought I would slip that bit of info to you. Maybe you did know that, but choose to look at it the way you describe it to DQ...Jesse.

[ July 20, 2006, 06:57: Message edited by: Jesse -Joe ]

Hi, Janice. Thanks for the kind words. I don't post more often because of time limitations (don't know how people like Jesse-Joe and the like find time to do all that posting), and because I know I can get long-winded (it's endemic to the profession). Again, thanks.
DQ

This is how I always think of Inspiration Lady as well. To me it is not a person, but the muse itself coming to visit, seeing him through, frustrating and delighting him at the same time. I have to say the video just didn't do it for me, although even it that it did not concentrate on one particular women, but a compilation of many.

DQ, you really should post more often, I enjoy your thoughts and ideas. I've never read Don Quixote, but now will put it on my to do list.
Jenney [/QUOTE]That was cute how it showed his grandbaby. :)

but interesting to read, DQ, even (especially) the lengthy ones...maybe not everday posting, but a bit more?

(don't know how people like Jesse-Joe and the like find time to do all that posting), Don Quxote, Early Retirement, and the biggest Gordon Lightfoot fan ever, is the secret for me...Jesse. ;) :eek: :)

(don't know how people like Jesse-Joe and the like find time to do all that posting), Don Quxote, Early Retirement, and the biggest Gordon Lightfoot fan ever, is the secret for me...Jesse. ;) :eek: :)

DQ - Professor - I just read belatedly your kind and throrough responses to others and my Cervantes questions of you. Sorry I came nack to the thread so late. I appreeciate your time spent in response to me and others on Don Quixote. Thanks
geo Steve