Novelas ejemplares facts for kids
1613 edition, with the now archaic spelling "exemplares".
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| Author | Miguel de Cervantes |
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| Original title | 'Novelas exemplares' |
| Country | Spain |
| Language | Spanish |
| Publisher | Juan de la Cuesta |
Novelas ejemplares means "Exemplary Novels." It's a collection of twelve short stories, or novellas, written by the famous Spanish author Miguel de Cervantes. He wrote them between 1590 and 1612. They were first printed in Madrid in 1613 by Juan de la Cuesta. This collection came out after the first part of Cervantes' most famous book, Don Quixote. The Novelas ejemplares were very popular when they were first published.
These novellas are usually split into two main types:
- Idealized stories: These are like the Italian stories that inspired Cervantes. They often have romantic plots, surprising twists, and characters who are almost perfect. They don't always show real life as it is. Some examples are El amante liberal, Las dos doncellas, La española inglesa, La señora Cornelia, and La fuerza de la sangre. These were the most liked stories back then.
- Realistic stories: These stories show real people and places. They sometimes even offer a gentle criticism of society. Today, these are the most well-known stories. They include Rinconete y Cortadillo, El licenciado Vidriera, La gitanilla, El casamiento engañoso (which leads into El coloquio de los perros), and La ilustre fregona.
It's important to know that the two groups aren't completely separate. You might find some idealistic parts even in the realistic stories! Cervantes might have changed some of these stories over time. This is why they are called "exemplary," meaning they teach a lesson or show a good example.
Contents
How these stories influenced others
Cervantes' novellas inspired many plays in England during the Jacobean era. Playwrights like Beaumont, Fletcher, and Middleton might have read them in French or Spanish. These plays include:
- Love's Pilgrimage (based on "Las dos doncellas")
- The Chances (from "La Señora Cornelia")
- Rule a Wife and Have a Wife (from "El casamiento engañoso")
- The Spanish Gypsy (from "La fuerza de la sangre" and "La gitanilla")
A look at the short stories
Here are some of the stories from Novelas ejemplares:
La gitanilla
This story is about a young man who falls in love with a gypsy girl. She asks him to live like a gypsy for two years to prove his love. Later, it's discovered that she is actually the long-lost daughter of a governor. The young man is briefly put in jail but is released when people learn he comes from a noble family. They get married and live happily ever after.
El amante liberal
This is the story of Ricardo and Leonisa. Their ship sinks, and Ricardo thinks Leonisa has died. He later finds out she is alive but is being sold as a slave. A powerful leader wants her for himself, but Ricardo manages to rescue her. He shows her true love and respect.
Rinconete y Cortadillo
This story follows two young thieves who travel to Seville. There, they join a local group of thieves that works almost like a club or guild.
La española inglesa
Isabela, a seven-year-old girl, is taken by an Englishman. She works for him, and his son falls in love with her because she is very beautiful. They love each other, so they ask the Queen to let them marry. The Queen is impressed by Isabela. She asks the boy to prove himself worthy. He fights off enemy ships and frees Spanish prisoners. He even meets Isabela's parents but keeps it a secret that he knows her. Later, her parents are reunited with her.
Ricaredo and Isabela's wedding is stopped by another man who also loved Isabela. The Queen sends Isabela back to Spain. The angry servant tries to harm Isabela, but she gets help in time. However, her beauty changes. She returns to Spain, thinking of joining a convent because Ricaredo doesn't come back. Ricaredo, believed to be dead after a war, eventually returns to Spain. He finds Isabela, and they finally get married.
El licenciado Vidriera
Tomás Rodaja is a smart young boy found by strangers. They are impressed by his intelligence and take him in. Tomás goes to school and becomes famous for his learning. He travels around Europe and then studies law in Salamanca.
A young woman, who likes Tomás, gives him a quince (a fruit) that she put a love potion on. The potion doesn't work as planned. Instead, Tomás becomes very sick for months. When he recovers, he is physically fine but believes his body is made entirely of glass. He thinks he will shatter easily.
Because of this strange belief, and his clever sayings, Tomás becomes famous across Spain. People call him 'Vidriera,' which means 'glass' in Spanish. He is even invited to the royal court.
Over time, Tomás gets his sanity back. But he finds that crowds of people still follow him, wanting to see the famous 'Vidriera.' Tired of the fame and unable to work as a lawyer, Tomás joins the army. He later dies in a battle.
El celoso extremeño
Filipo de Carrizales is a former soldier who made a lot of money in the Americas. He returns to his home in Seville. He falls in love with a young and beautiful girl named Leonora. Even though her family is poor, she is from a noble background. Filipo decides to protect her. He takes extreme measures to keep her away from the outside world and other men. He doesn't let anyone pass through the inner door of his house except for female servants. He gives her many presents, hoping to keep her safe and peaceful.
Later, Carrizales finds Leonora with another man. Instead of blaming them, he blames himself for being too controlling. Ashamed of how he treated Leonora, he quietly leaves and dies. Leonora decides not to marry the other man and instead joins a convent. The other man leaves for the Americas.
Other stories in the collection
- La fuerza de la sangre
- La ilustre fregona
- Las dos doncellas
- La señora Cornelia
- El casamiento engañoso ("The Deceitful Marriage")
This story is like an introduction to the next one. A soldier tells his friend how he was tricked into marriage, even though he wasn't completely honest himself. The story ends with him hearing the conversation that becomes the next story.
- El coloquio de los perros
See also
In Spanish: Novelas ejemplares para niños
