THE PICARESQUE NOVEL

The picaresque novel presents a protagonist of humble or low origins (often of loose morals but good intentions), who survives by wit and independent perseverance. The genre's irony and constant juxtaposition of ideas and styles make it possible to call works hundreds of years old, such as Cervantes's Don Quixote and Sterne's Tristram Shandy, postmodern. Such stories, utilizing one of the oldest universal forms, that of the journey, have not so much plot development as a rapidly changing, loosely connected series of episodes, some described in elaborate detail, others summed up in a brief passage or even phrase.

In particular  Don Quixote, written in the 1500’s, is perhaps the first modern comedy. The character of Sancho Panza, a squire, has traits that Dickens used for the character of Samuel Weller  300 years later. Don Quixote’s adventures are really a sort of purgatory on earth.

Don Quixote by Picasso