Markemic analysis of the novel by M. Cervantes “Don Quixote”: statics and dynamics

Abstract

The method of markeme text analysis is based on the fact that the content component of the text is the author's attitude, which determines the choice and frequency of words in the text, which is the result of two regularities: objective – linguistic and subjective – authorial. Markems fix the most important themes in the work of the author and give information about his artistic world. The aim of the research is to make a markemic analysis of a classical work of Spanish and world literature – Miguel de Cervantes Saavedra's novel "The Ingenious hidalgo Don Quixote de la Mancha" in its markemic statics and dynamics (change from the first to the second part). According to the results of the markemic analysis of the whole text the dominant marker is entretenimiento 'amusement' and the vice-dominant marker is desagradecimiento 'ingratitude'. It can be assumed that the logic of authorial behaviour required hiding the true dominant of the text behind the pseudo-dominant – entretenimiento 'entertainment' and thus protecting the true dominant – the first subjective token with positive connotation – entendimiento 'understanding'. The dominant of the first part is the markem entendimiento 'understanding'. The vice-dominant is entretenimiento. The dominant marker of the second part is desagradecimiento 'ingratitude', the vice-dominant marker – entretenimiento 'amusement' – has retained its place. The analysis of the marker dynamics revealed two semantic poles in Don Quixote: transformaciones 'transformation' in the first part and desagradecimiento 'ingratitude' in the second. The semantic analysis of the markemes in both parts of Don Quichotte suggests that the central idea of the novel is transformaciones 'transformations' aimed at improving the world, which the protagonist seeks to achieve. They are helped by values, such as entendimiento, and hindered by anti-values, such as desagradecimiento.