A person or an animal is in captivity when it remains confined and deprived of its liberty. In relation to animals, this word is used to refer to those that are wild and not domestic, and with respect to people, it is used to refer to prisoners or hostages, which are also known as captives.
The author of Don Quixote was held captive for five years in Algiers
At the end of September 1575 Miguel de Cervantes was on his way from Italy to Spain in a galley. Suddenly, a fleet of Algerian corsairs attacked the ship and Cervantes was kidnapped and taken to the city of Algiers in North Africa, where there were thousands of captives of all nationalities. The kidnapping was intended to request a ransom and, in fact, the privateers asked for such a large amount for Cervantes that his relatives could not initially pay it.
The captivity was maintained for five years and throughout this period Cervantes tried to escape on several occasions but did not achieve his goal. Finally, the necessary money was collected and Cervantes was released through the intermediation of the Trinidadian fathers.
Scholars of the work of Cervantes consider that his captivity had a great influence on his subsequent literary production. We must not forget that in Don Quixote one of the fundamental themes is, precisely, freedom.
Animals that live outside their natural environment suffer from all kinds of disorders
If a wild animal lives in captivity, it will most likely suffer some alteration. At present it is known that this situation generates sadness, loss of appetite, sexual pathologies or food-related problems. To combat this situation, associations have been created in favor of animal rights. In this sense, some groups try to free from captivity the animals that are part of circuses or other types of shows.
On the other hand, the existence of zoos is also questioned by some groups. Those who oppose captivity consider that animals lose their true essence as living beings. In their own natural habitat, most animal species live in herds while in captivity they are isolated and subjected to all kinds of abuse.
In recent years, specialized rescue centers have been created so that animals released from captivity can be properly rehabilitated and eventually regain their freedom.
Photo: Fotolia – wimage72
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