Don Quixote

Sancho Panza

Don Quixote is the master and Sancho his loyal squire, bound by promises of an island governorship and shared adventures.

Dulcinea del Toboso

Don Quixote is obsessively devoted to Dulcinea, an idealized peasant woman he imagines as a noble lady.

Luscinda

Don Quixote encounters Luscinda as a distressed damsel in the interwoven love stories, offering chivalric aid.

The Duke

The Duke hosts Don Quixote and Sancho, subjecting them to elaborate and cruel practical jokes.

Rocinante

Don Quixote loves his bony horse Rocinante as a faithful companion in all his adventures.

Samson Carrasco

Samson Carrasco repeatedly challenges Don Quixote in disguise to cure his madness, acting as an antagonist.

The Duchess

The Duchess plays elaborate tricks on Don Quixote, pretending to honor his chivalry while mocking him.

Andrés

Andrés is a boy Don Quixote tries to rescue from a beating, but his intervention only makes things worse.

Altisidora

Altisidora, a lady-in-waiting, pretends to be in love with Don Quixote as part of the Duke and Duchess's pranks.

Sancho Panza

Don Quixote is the master and Sancho his loyal squire, bound by promises of an island governorship and shared adventures.

Sancho Panza

Don Quixote is the master and Sancho his loyal squire, bound by promises of an island governorship and shared adventures.

Dulcinea del Toboso

Don Quixote is obsessively devoted to Dulcinea, an idealized peasant woman he imagines as a noble lady.

About This Translation

Central figure of the book; the translator notes that the story and characters are familiar household words in English.

II: About Cervantes and Don Quixote

Described as having no character or individuality, merely a crazy representative of chivalry romances; his madness makes him virtuous, and he serves as a mouthpiece for Cervantes' reflections.

Don Quixote Part I

The protagonist who loses his mind and becomes a knight-errant.

Some Commendatory Verses

Praised by Amadís of Gaul, Don Belianis of Greece, Orlando Furioso, the Knight of Phoebus, and Solisdan for his chivalric deeds and love for Dulcinea.

Chapter II: Which treats of the first sally the ingenious Don Quixote made from home

Don Quixote makes his first sally from home, riding Rocinante and imagining himself as a knight. He is preoccupied with the need to be dubbed a knight and speaks to himself in chivalric language, addressing Dulcinea and the future chronicler of his deeds.

III

Kneels before the innkeeper, requests knighthood, keeps vigil over his armor, attacks carriers who disturb it, and is finally dubbed a knight.

Of what happened to our knight when he left the inn

Exhilarated after being dubbed a knight, he intervenes to right a wrong involving a boy being beaten, then returns home to prepare for further adventures.

V

Found wounded and delirious, reciting ballads and believing himself to be Baldwin and Abindarráez. Insists he is known for great deeds.

Of the second sally of our worthy knight Don Quixote of La Mancha

Wakes from a dream raving about a tourney; later accepts the story that a magician stole his books; recruits Sancho Panza as his squire and sets out on his second sally.

Chapter VIII: Of the good success which the valorous Don Quixote had in the most terrifying and never-to-be-imagined adventure of the windmills, with other events worthy of happy memory

Mistakes friars for magicians, attacks them, and fights the Biscayan squire, calling upon Dulcinea for aid.

Chapter IX

Defeats the Biscayan in combat and spares his life on condition that he go to Dulcinea.

Of the pleasant discourse that passed between Don Quixote and his squire Sancho Panza

Explains the nature of crossroads adventures, discusses the balsam of Fierabras, swears an oath to avenge his broken helmet, and prefers sleeping under the open sky as a chivalric act.

XI

Delivers a speech on the golden age and knight-errantry; has his ear treated by a goatherd.

XII

Listens to the goatherd's story and decides to attend Chrysostom's burial.

Chapter XIII

Defends knight-errantry, explains the necessity of having a lady, and reveals Dulcinea's name and origin.

XIV

Resolves to seek out Marcela and offer her his service.

Chapter XV: The Unfortunate Adventure with the Yanguesans

Beaten by Yanguesans after Rocinante's misadventure; rationalizes the defeat through chivalric codes and compares himself to Amadís of Gaul.

XVI

Injured from a fall, he is treated at the inn and later involved in a brawl after mistaking Maritornes for a princess.

XVII

Recovers from a swoon, claims he was visited by the innkeeper's daughter, refuses to pay for lodging, and concocts a balsam that cures him.

XVIII

Insists the inn is enchanted, imagines sheep as armies, charges them, and is injured by shepherds' stones.

XIX: Of the shrewd discourse which Sancho held with his master, and of the adventure that befell him with a dead body, together with other notable occurrences.

Attacks a funeral procession, adopts the name 'Knight of the Rueful Countenance,' and discusses chivalric oaths with Sancho.

Of the unexampled and unheard-of adventure which was achieved by the valiant Don Quixote of La Mancha with less peril than any ever achieved by any famous knight in the world

Mistakes fulling hammers for a perilous adventure, strikes Sancho for mocking him, and lectures on knight-squire decorum.

Which treats of the exalted adventure and rich prize of Mambrino's helmet, together with other things that happened to our invincible knight

Mistakes a barber's brass basin for Mambrino's helmet and attacks him; then fantasizes about winning a princess and becoming a king, promising Sancho rewards.

Of the freedom Don Quixote conferred on several unfortunates who against their will were being carried where they had no wish to go

Frees the galley slaves, believing it is his chivalric duty to help the oppressed, but is later stoned by them.

Of what befell Don Quixote in the Sierra Morena, which was one of the rarest adventures related in this veracious history

Consoles Sancho after the theft of Dapple, discovers the valise and reads the sonnet and letter, showing his poetic knowledge and chivalric idealism.

XXIV

Listens intently to Cardenio's story, defends Queen Madasima's honor, and is struck by Cardenio during his mad fit.

Which treats of the strange things that happened to the stout knight of La Mancha in the Sierra Morena, and of his imitation of the penance of Beltenebros

Decides to imitate Amadís and Roland by performing a mad penance in the Sierra Morena, dictating a love letter to Dulcinea.

XXVI

Performs penance in the Sierra Morena, imitating Amadís of Gaul; writes verses on trees and sand in praise of Dulcinea.

Chapter XXIX

Grants the boon to the disguised Dorothea, agreeing to help the Princess Micomicona avenge her kingdom.

Chapter XXX

Forgives Sancho for his insults to Dulcinea, but later beats him for suggesting he marry Dorothea. Reaffirms his devotion to Dulcinea and vows to serve Princess Micomicona.

Of the delectable discussion between Don Quixote and Sancho Panza, his squire, together with other incidents.

Interrogates Sancho about Dulcinea, rationalizes Sancho's quick journey via enchantment, and later recognizes Andrés.

XXXII Which treats of what befell Don Quixote's party at the inn

Arrives at the inn and goes to sleep, exhausted from his adventures.

Which treats of the heroic and prodigious battle Don Quixote had with certain skins of red wine, and brings the novel of The Ill-Advised Curiosity to a close.

Fights wineskins in his sleep, believing he is battling a giant.

XXXVII

Awakens believing he has slain a giant, unaware of the transformations around him.

Which treats of the curious discourse Don Quixote delivered on arms and letters

Delivers a passionate discourse on arms versus letters, lamenting the invention of gunpowder and defending the honor of knights-errant.

XXXIX

Implied as part of the audience listening to the captive's tale.

XL

Not directly present in this chapter, but the captive's story is being told within the larger narrative.

XLII Which treats of what further took place in the inn, and of several other things worth knowing.

Don Quixote observes the reunion and attributes it to chivalric chimeras. He offers to mount guard over the inn, calling it a castle, to protect the ladies.

Chapter XLIII

Stands guard outside the inn, delivers a passionate speech to Dulcinea, and is tricked by Maritornes into being tied by the wrist.

Chapter XLIV

Defends the basin as Mambrino's helmet and refuses to fight squirely opponents, sending Sancho instead.

In which the doubtful question of Mambrino's helmet and the packsaddle is finally settled, with other adventures that occurred in truth and earnest

Insists the basin is Mambrino's helmet and the packsaddle a caparison, but defers to others due to perceived enchantments in the inn.

Of the end of the notable adventure of the officers of the holy brotherhood; and of the great ferocity of our worthy knight, Don Quixote

Believes he is enchanted when captured in the cage; comforted by the prophecy of his marriage to Dulcinea.

Of the strange manner in which Don Quixote of La Mancha was carried away enchanted, together with other remarkable incidents

Caged and transported on an oxcart, he philosophizes about the nature of enchantment and consoles the weeping women.

XLVIII

Insists he is enchanted despite Sancho's arguments that the curate and barber are behind his imprisonment.

XLIX

Defends the truth of chivalric romances and insists he is enchanted despite Sancho's arguments.

Of the shrewd controversy which Don Quixote and the canon held, together with other incidents.

Defends chivalric romances as true and delightful, describing a knight's adventure in a boiling lake.

LII

Returns home after being brought back, engages in a quarrel with a goatherd, attacks a penitent procession, and is struck down, later reviving and agreeing to return home.

Dedication

Referenced as the character being sent forth to dispel the false second part.

I

Shows signs of sanity but still defends knight-errantry and proposes using knights to fight the Turk.

II

Anxiously questions Sancho about public opinion and learns of the published history of his adventures.

Of the laughable conversation that passed between Don Quixote, Sancho Panza, and the bachelor Samson Carrasco

Anxiously awaits news of the published history of his adventures; discusses truth in writing and defends his chivalric ideals.

IV In which Sancho Panza gives a satisfactory reply to the doubts and questions of the bachelor Samson Carrasco, together with other matters worth knowing and telling.

Resolves to make another sally in three or four days; asks Samson Carrasco to compose acrostic verses for Dulcinea.

Of the shrewd and droll conversation that passed between Sancho Panza and his wife Teresa Panza, and other matters worthy of being duly recorded

Though not present in the conversation, he is the master Sancho plans to rejoin for a third sally.

Of what took place between Don Quixote and his niece and housekeeper; one of the most important chapters in the whole history.

Defends knight-errantry against his niece and housekeeper, expounds on lineages and virtue, and welcomes Sancho.

VII

Negotiates with Sancho, insists on reward-based service, and prepares for a third sally.

Wherein is related what befell Don Quixote on his way to see his lady Dulcinea del Toboso

Resolved to visit Dulcinea before any adventure; reflects on fame, envy, and Christian duty.

Chapter IX

Admits he has never seen Dulcinea, loves her only by hearsay; becomes downcast when they cannot find her palace.

Wherein is related the crafty device Sancho adopted to enchant the lady Dulcinea, and other incidents as ludicrous as they are true

Anxiously awaits Sancho's return, gives detailed instructions for observing Dulcinea's reactions, and is bewildered when Sancho presents a peasant girl as the enchanted Dulcinea.

Of the strange adventure which the valiant Don Quixote had with the car or cart of the Cortes of Death

Dejected over Dulcinea's enchantment, he is persuaded by Sancho not to attack the actors.

Of the strange adventure which befell the valiant Don Quixote with the bold Knight of the Mirrors

Engages in philosophical discussion about life as a comedy and death as the great equalizer; listens to the Knight of the Grove's lament and asserts his own unwavering devotion to Dulcinea.

XIII

Mentioned by Sancho as a simple, kind-hearted master whom he loves despite his foolishness.

Wherein is continued the adventure of the Knight of the Grove

Defends his honor and Dulcinea's beauty against the Knight of the Grove, suspecting enchantment; ultimately unseats his opponent.

XV

Elated after his victory over the Knight of the Mirrors, believing he has won a great chivalric triumph.

XVI

Rides in high spirits, convinced of his invincibility, and debates the nature of enchantment with Sancho.

Wherein is shown the furthest and highest point which the unexampled courage of Don Quixote reached or could reach; together with the happily achieved adventure of the lions.

Demonstrates extreme courage and madness by challenging the lions, insisting on facing them despite warnings.

Of what happened Don Quixote in the castle or house of the Knight of the Green Gabán, together with other matters out of the common

Visits the house of Don Diego de Miranda, engages in a philosophical discussion with Don Lorenzo about poetry and knight-errantry, and displays his characteristic blend of wisdom and madness.

In which is related the adventure of the enamoured shepherd, together with other truly droll incidents.

Meets students and peasants, discusses the wedding of Camacho and Quiteria, and reflects on the nature of marriage.

Wherein an account is given of the wedding of Camacho the Rich, together with the incident of Basilio the Poor

Observes the wedding festivities and critiques Sancho's materialistic views, defending the value of talent and love over wealth.

XXI

Defends Basilio's trick, asserting love's stratagems are justifiable.

XXII Wherin is related the grand adventure of the Cave of Montesinos in the heart of La Mancha, which the valiant Don Quixote brought to a happy termination.

Descends into the Cave of Montesinos and claims to have seen Montesinos, Durandarte, Belerma, and other enchanted figures.

Of the wonderful things the incomparable Don Quixote said he saw in the profound Cave of Montesinos, the impossibility and magnitude of which cause this adventure to be deemed apocryphal

Narrates his adventure in the Cave of Montesinos, describing encounters with enchanted figures and his unwavering belief in the reality of his visions.

Wherein are related a thousand trifling matters, as trivial as they are necessary to the right understanding of this great history

Defends the truth of his cave adventure despite the narrator's doubts; advises a young page on the nobility of military service.

Chapter XXV

Suspicious of Master Pedro's divining ape, suspects a pact with the devil; humbly helps the traveler with his beast; eager to see the puppet show.

Chapter XXVI

Believes the puppet show is real, attacks it to defend Don Gaiferos and Melisendra, and later pays for the damages.

Wherein it is shown who Master Pedro and his ape were, together with the mishap Don Quixote had in the braying adventure, which he did not conclude as he would have liked or as he had expected.

Delivers a reasoned speech to the braying villagers, arguing against taking up arms for trivial insults, and shows his knowledge of chivalric and legal principles.

Chapter XXVIII

Angrily confronts Sancho about his demand for wages and the island promise, then forgives him after Sancho's remorseful plea.

Of the famous adventure of the enchanted bark

Insists on boarding the enchanted bark, mistakes water mills for a castle, and demands the release of imaginary prisoners.

Of Don Quixote’s adventure with a fair huntress

Absorbed in thoughts of his love; sends Sancho to deliver a message to the huntress; dismounts awkwardly and is welcomed by the duke and duchess.

XXXI Which treats of many and great matters

Treated with great ceremony at the castle, feels truly like a knight-errant; laments Dulcinea's enchantment; chafes at Sancho's impertinent story.

Of the reply Don Quixote gave his censurer, with other incidents, grave and droll

Defends chivalry and Dulcinea's reality; rebukes the ecclesiastic's insults.

XXXIII

Referenced as Sancho's master, whose madness Sancho acknowledges; the duchess and duke plan to play a knight-errantry style joke on him.

XXXIV Which relates how they learned the way in which they were to disenchant the peerless Dulcinea del Toboso, which is one of the rarest adventures in this book.

Participates in the hunt and awaits the demon's message about Dulcinea's disenchantment.

Wherein is continued the instruction given to Don Quixote touching the disenchantment of Dulcinea, together with other marvellous incidents

Threatens to tie Sancho to a tree and double the lashes if he refuses to comply with Merlin's demand.

Wherein is related the strange and undreamt-of adventure of the distressed Duenna, alias the countess Trifaldi, together with a letter which Sancho Panza wrote to his wife, Teresa Panza.

Defends knight-errantry and declares his readiness to aid the Distressed Duenna.

Wherein is continued the notable adventure of the distressed Duenna

Defends the Countess Trifaldi as a noble duenna and instructs Sancho on courtesy.

XXXVIII

Offers his service to the Distressed Duenna, declaring his calling to aid the needy.

XXXIX

Don Quixote listens and comments, supporting Sancho's reasoning and expressing anticipation for the bitter part of the story.

XL

Promises to shave the beards of the duennas and confront Malambruno.

Of the arrival of Clavileño and the end of this protracted adventure

Mounts Clavileño eagerly, reassures Sancho, and accepts the adventure as a knightly duty.

XLII

Gives Sancho detailed counsel on governance and moral conduct.

Of the second set of counsels Don Quixote gave Sancho Panza

Delivers second set of counsels to Sancho, showing wisdom and folly; advises on governance, cleanliness, and speech.

XLIV

Gives written counsels to Sancho, is distressed by a torn stocking, and overhears Altisidora's serenade from the garden.

Of how the great Sancho Panza took possession of his island, and of how he made a beginning in governing.

Referenced at the chapter's close as being troubled by Altisidora's music.

Of the terrible bell and cat fright that Don Quixote got in the course of the enamoured Altisidora's wooing

Sings a ballad to Altisidora, fights cats in his room, and is wounded on the face.

XLVII

Mentioned at the end of the chapter, recovering from cat wounds with his face bandaged.

Of what befell Don Quixote with Doña Rodriguez, the duchess’s Duenna, together with other occurrences worthy of record and eternal remembrance

Lying in bed with bandaged face from cat scratches, he fears Altisidora's advances and later mistakes Doña Rodriguez for a phantom or go-between.

Chapter L

Mentioned as the source of Sancho's good fortune; Sanchica suspects his involvement.

Chapter LI

Receives Sancho's letter and replies with counsel on governance and gratitude.

Wherein is related the adventure of the second distressed or afflicted Duenna, otherwise called Doña Rodriguez

Cured of scratches, he plans to leave for Saragossa but accepts the challenge to defend Doña Rodriguez's daughter.

LIV

Awaits the joust arranged by the duke and duchess, eager to prove his chivalric prowess.

Of what befell Sancho on the road, and other things that cannot be surpassed

Hears Sancho's cries, believes he is a soul in torment, and arranges his rescue.

Of the prodigious and unparalleled battle that took place between Don Quixote of La Mancha and the Lackey Tosilos in defence of the daughter of Doña Rodriguez

Defends the honor of Doña Rodriguez's daughter in a joust against Tosilos, commending himself to Dulcinea before the battle.

LVII Which treats of how Don Quixote took leave of the duke, and of what followed with the witty and impudent Altisidora, one of the duchess’s damsels.

Takes leave of the duke and duchess, feeling guilty for idleness; denies stealing Altisidora's garters; departs for Saragossa.

Which tells how adventures came crowding on Don Quixote in such numbers that they gave one another no breathing-time.

Delivers a speech on freedom and gratitude; praises religious knights; offers to defend the beauty of the shepherdesses; is trampled by bulls but persists.

Chapter LIX

Defends his love for Dulcinea, criticizes the false history, and urges Sancho to take lashes for her disenchantment.

LX

Captured unawares by Roque's men, he declares his identity and offers to defend Claudia Jeronima's honor.

Of what happened Don Quixote on entering Barcelona, together with other matters that partake of the true rather than of the ingenious

Arrives in Barcelona, is recognized and welcomed by local horsemen, and is thrown from Rocinante by boys' prank.

LXII Which deals with the adventure of the enchanted head, together with other trivial matters which cannot be left untold.

Paraded on a balcony, dances until exhausted, declares his loyalty to Dulcinea, and visits a printing house.

Of the mishap that befell Sancho Panza through the visit to the galleys, and the strange adventure of the fair Morisco

Reflects on the enchanted head's promise of Dulcinea's disenchantment; observes the galley rituals with caution and threatens violence if subjected to them.

LXIV

Defeated by the Knight of the White Moon, he accepts the condition to return home for a year but refuses to concede Dulcinea's beauty.

Wherein is made known who the Knight of the White Moon was; likewise Don Gregorio's release, and other events

Defeated by the Knight of the White Moon, he keeps his bed for six days, dejected and melancholy, but is comforted by Sancho and later cheered by news of Don Gregorio's arrival.

Which treats of what he who reads will see, or what he who has it read to him will hear

Laments his defeat at Barcelona, resolves to keep his word and return home, and dismisses Tosilos as an enchanted figure.

Of the resolution Don Quixote formed to turn shepherd and take to a life in the fields while the year for which he had given his word was running its course; with other events truly delectable and happy.

Plans to become a shepherd named Quixotize during his enforced retirement; reflects on Altisidora's love and Dulcinea's disenchantment.

Of the bristly adventure that befell Don Quixote

Awakens Sancho to demand lashes for Dulcinea's disenchantment, composes a madrigal, and is captured by silent horsemen.

Chapter LXIX

Urges Sancho to endure the ritual for Dulcinea's disenchantment; observes Altisidora's 'resurrection' with reverence.

LXX

Remains steadfast in his chivalric delusions, advising Altisidora to cure her love through work, and preparing to leave the castle as a vanquished knight.

Of what passed between Don Quixote and his squire Sancho on the way to their village

Downcast from defeat but hopeful about Sancho's virtue; negotiates payment for Sancho's self-whipping to disenchant Dulcinea; shows rational thought at the inn, yet still laments not being born in the age of Helen and Dido.

Of how Don Quixote and Sancho reached their village

Meets Don Álvaro Tarfe and secures a legal declaration distinguishing himself from the false Don Quixote.

Of the omens Don Quixote had as he entered his own village, and other incidents that embellish and give a colour to this great history

Returns home defeated, interprets omens about Dulcinea, and proposes a pastoral life as a shepherd.

LXXIV: Of how Don Quixote fell sick, and of the will he made, and how he died

Regains his senses, renounces chivalry, confesses, makes his will, and dies as Alonso Quixano the Good.

Endnotes

Mentioned in the context of parodying chivalric ballads and his adventures being the subject of editorial notes.