 The first part was published in 1605 and the second in 1615.It might be viewed as a parody of "Le Morte d'Arthur" (and other examples of the chivalric romance), in which case the novel form would be the direct result of poking fun at a collection of heroic folk legends.This is fully in keeping with the spirit of the age of enlightenment which began from about this time and delighted in giving a satirical twist to the stories and ideas of the past.