Don Quixote · Chapter
Some Commendatory Verses explained
This chapter presents a series of commendatory poems written by fictional characters from chivalric romances, praising Don Quixote, Sancho Panza, Dulcinea, and their steeds.
What happens
This chapter presents a series of commendatory poems written by fictional characters from chivalric romances, praising Don Quixote, Sancho Panza, Dulcinea, and their steeds. The verses celebrate Don Quixote's chivalric ideals, his love for Dulcinea, and his mad yet noble quest, while also humorously commenting on the squire Sancho and the horses Rocinante and Babieca.
Themes in this chapter
Chivalry and Idealism
The poems praise Don Quixote's knightly deeds and his unwavering devotion to Dulcinea, embodying the chivalric ideal.
Love and Worship
Dulcinea is idealized as the object of Don Quixote's love, with poems comparing her to Oriana and emphasizing her power over the knight.
Literature and Metafiction
The chapter is a metafictional collection of poems by fictional characters from other stories, commenting on the book itself and its characters.
Madness and Sanity
References to Don Quixote's 'crazy brain' and his loss of wits over chivalric tales highlight the theme of madness.
Characters to notice
- Don Quixote
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.
- Sancho Panza
Addressed by Gandalin, squire of Amadís, and featured in a poem by El Donoso, highlighting his simplicity, Dapple, and alforjas.
- Dulcinea del Toboso
Celebrated by the Lady of Oriana as the fairest and compared to Oriana's own beloved.
- Rocinante
Engages in a dialogue with Babieca, complaining about being underfed and overworked, and humorously critiquing his master.
- Miguel de Cervantes
Referenced as the 'sage author' in Amadís's poem, standing without peer.
Key passages
“Of a Manchegan gentleman Thy purpose is to tell the story, Relating how he lost his wits O'er idle tales of love and glory”
The book aims to tell the story of a gentleman from La Mancha who went mad from reading tales of love and chivalry.
Summarizes the premise of Don Quixote's madness.
“If the fair Dulcinea, your heart's queen, Be unrelenting in her cruelty, If still your woe be powerless to move her, In such hard case your comfort let it be That Sancho was a sorry go-between: A booby he, hard-hearted she, and you no lover.”
If Dulcinea remains cruel and unmoved by your suffering, take comfort that Sancho was a poor messenger; he is a fool, she is heartless, and you are not truly a lover.
Humorously critiques the love triangle and Sancho's role.
“He is an ass, will die an ass, an ass was born; Why, he's in love; what's plainer to be seen?”
Rocinante says his master is a born fool, will die a fool, and being in love explains it all.
Rocinante's cynical view of Don Quixote's love-driven madness.