New Interpretation of Don Quixote through Ernest Becker

The figure of Don Quixote represents the hidden essence of human culture: Our need for a heroic self-image (in reaction to the insignificance of death) and the madness required to justify it. In other words A) The flimsy, delusional nature of the things that grant humans conviction and self-aggrandizement. B) The evil they produce, and C) The ironic need to acquire this conviction and self-aggrandizement in order to experience the goodness, richness and reality of life.

[@5RRRtarRiver]

Really interesting analysis

[@Moncayowind]

Delusion sells. The theme of Don Quixote was popularized in the 1965 Broadway musical "Man of La Mancha" - and with a song that drove home that theme and was the best-selling song on an LP record that came out with the musical, and has been performed since then by countless singers from Jack Jones to Frank Sinatra to Elvis Presley to Aretha Franklin, etc.: "The Impossible Dream", lyrics by Joe Darion. Lyrics like:
"This is my quest, to follow that star
No matter how hopeless, no matter how far
To fight for the right
Without question or pause
To be willing to march
Into hell for a heavenly cause"
Delusion sells.