Hudibras: A Satire on the Puritans

The question asks to identify a work that served as a biting satire specifically targeting the Puritans and was modelled upon the adventures of Don Quixote and Sancho Panza.

Understanding the Literary Context

This description points towards a specific work of English literature known for its sharp wit and criticism of a particular social and religious group, while drawing inspiration from a famous Spanish novel.

Analyzing the Options

• Don Juan: Lord Byron's narrative poem, satirical in parts, but not primarily focused on the Puritans or modelled after Don Quixote in the way described.
• Hudibras: This work, written by Samuel Butler, is famously a lengthy, satirical poem. It directly criticizes the Puritans, mocking their hypocrisy and zeal. Its structure and narrative, featuring the knight Sir Hudibras and his squire Ralpho, clearly echo the relationship between Don Quixote and Sancho Panza, capturing the absurdity of their adventures.
• Mac Flecknoe: John Dryden's satirical poem, targeting Thomas Shadwell, is a different kind of satire, focusing on literary figures rather than religious groups, and lacks the Don Quixote connection.
• Namby-Pamby: This term refers to a style of sentimental or affectedly simple verse, often associated with Ambrose Philips, but not a specific satirical work fitting the description.

Hudibras: The Satirical Masterpiece

Samuel Butler's Hudibras (published in parts between 1663 and 1678) is renowned for its biting satire directed at the English Puritans, who were dominant during the Commonwealth period and viewed with suspicion by many after the Restoration. The poem satirizes their religious principles, political activities, and perceived inconsistencies.

Furthermore, the influence of Miguel de Cervantes' Don Quixote is evident. The poem's protagonist, Sir Hudibras, a rigid and hypocritical Presbyterian knight, embarks on absurd quests with his squire, the more pragmatic and scurrilous Ralpho. This pairing mirrors the dynamic between the idealistic, delusional Don Quixote and his earthy squire Sancho Panza, providing a framework for satirizing religious and political fanaticism through mock-heroic adventures.

Conclusion

Based on the specific criteria—a biting satire on the Puritans and being modelled upon the adventures of Don Quixote and Sancho Panza—Hudibras is the work that perfectly fits the description.