Viaje del Parnaso y poesías sueltas

In Journey to Parnassus, Cervantes presents himself embarking on an allegorical voyage to Mount Parnassus, home of Apollo and the Muses, to participate in a “war” against the bad poets who threaten true poetry. Mixing humor, irony, and self-criticism, he recounts fantastical encounters with gods, poets, and sea creatures; he mocks the literary vices of his time and champions authentic poetry against mediocrity. The journey also serves as a reflection on his own life, his marginalization as a writer, and his desire for recognition. The work concludes with a playful and disillusioned tone, underscoring the impossibility of completely eradicating bad poetry, but celebrating the moral and intellectual value of the good poet.