A Philological Study of Don Quijote ’s Reception in Iran

Don Quijote remains an enduring work of world literature within the Iranian context, inspiring creative engagement and stimulating scholarly enigma. However, despite this rich legacy, the historical trajectory has remained inadequately documented. This research seeks to address the lacuna by analyzing the history and source materials from the 1880s to the present day. The findings demonstrate that interest in European discourse facilitated the novel’s initial introduction to Iran. Iran’s early reception occurs after France and Russia. Global readings of Don Quijote influenced its perception in Iranian society. Iran’s cultural memory—such as the concept of last days—shaped local interpretations.