Miguel de Cervantes uses satire in “Don Quixote” to tackle a number of societal issues of his time, often critiquing the social, political, and literary norms of 16th and 17th century Spain. Here are key ways in which satire is utilized in the novel: 1. Critique of Chivalric Romance: Cervantes satirizes the popular chivalric romances of his era. Don Quixote, the protagonist, is deluded into believing that he is a knight-errant and sets out on a quest for adventure, mirroring the plots of chivalric tales. However, his adventures are farcical, revealing the impracticality and absurdity of the chivalric ideals in the contemporary world. 2. Examination of Social Structures: “Don Quixote” takes a hard look at the social hierarchy of the time. Through the interactions between Don Quixote and Sancho Panza, Cervantes critiques the rigid class system. Sancho, though a peasant, often displays more common sense than his 'noble' master, highlighting the arbitrary nature of social status based on birth. 3. Parody of Literary Conventions: Cervantes skilfully parodies various narrative techniques, such as the unreliable narrator and metafiction, which involves a self-aware commentary on the act of storytelling itself. He plays with the readers’ expectations and even references the unauthorized sequel of “Don Quixote” written by another author, bringing the reader into his satirical world. 4. Reflection on Reality versus Illusion: Satire is also present in the novel's theme of reality versus illusion. Don Quixote’s skewed perception of reality — where inns become castles and windmills become giants — is a metaphor for how subjective reality can be. Cervantes invites the reader to consider how society and individuals create and cling to their own illusions. 5. Satire of Authorities and Institutions: Cervantes does not hold back from satirizing church and state. His portrayal of the clergy and nobility can be critical, depicting these figures as corrupt, hypocritical, or inept—a brave stance at a time when church and aristocracy were powerful and often beyond reproach. 6. Mockery of Superstition and Ignorance: The novel pokes fun at the superstitious beliefs and widespread ignorance of the time. Don Quixote’s squire, Sancho Panza, is often a vehicle for this type of satire with his reliance on folk sayings and his own unwavering beliefs in nonsensical superstitions. In "Don Quixote," Cervantes weaves satire into the fabric of the narrative, ensuring that the humor and critique have a lasting impact. Far from being just a comedic story, “Don Quixote” offers a profound, multi-layered critique of the world in which Cervantes lived, and its themes remain relevant even today as readers continue to explore the lines between reality and fiction, and the nature of societal norms and individual identity.