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

> Chapter companion for Don Quixote by Miguel de Cervantes Saavedra.

## What happens

After the battle with the Biscayan, Sancho Panza kneels before Don Quixote and asks for the promised island governorship. Don Quixote explains that this was a crossroads adventure, not an island quest, and promises greater rewards. Sancho worries about the Holy Brotherhood, but Don Quixote reassures him. They discuss the balsam of Fierabras, Don Quixote's oath to avenge his broken helmet, and the nature of knight-errant diet. They end the day at goatherds' huts, where Don Quixote delights in sleeping under the open sky.

## Themes in this chapter

### Chivalry and Idealism

Don Quixote's oath to avenge his broken helmet and his insistence on sleeping under the open sky reflect his commitment to chivalric ideals, despite Sancho's practical concerns.

### Friendship and Loyalty

Sancho's loyalty is evident as he tends to Don Quixote's wound, offers food, and follows him despite his fears and discomfort.

### Reality vs. Illusion

Don Quixote's belief in the balsam of Fierabras and his expectation of encountering knights in armour contrast with Sancho's realistic view of the roads and the lack of such figures.

## Character check-ins

### Don Quixote

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.

### Sancho Panza

Kneels to request the island governorship, worries about the Holy Brotherhood, offers food from his alforjas, and expresses concern about Don Quixote's oath and diet.

### Dulcinea del Toboso

Mentioned by Sancho as the lady before whom the defeated knight must present himself.

### Rocinante

Don Quixote mounts Rocinante after the battle; the horse steps out briskly, leaving Sancho behind.

### Dapple

Sancho mounts his ass to follow Don Quixote.

## Key lines

> May it please your worship, Señor Don Quixote, to give me the government of that island which has been won in this hard fight, for be it ever so big I feel myself in sufficient force to be able to govern it as much and as well as anyone in the world who has ever governed islands.

Sancho asks Don Quixote to grant him the governorship of the island he believes was won in the recent battle, claiming he is capable of ruling it as well as any governor.

_Sancho's persistent desire for the promised island governorship, showing his materialistic hopes._

> Thou must take notice, brother Sancho, that this adventure and those like it are not adventures of islands, but of crossroads, in which nothing is got except a broken head or an ear the less: have patience, for adventures will present themselves from which I may make you, not only a governor, but something more.

Don Quixote explains that this was a crossroads adventure yielding only injuries, not islands, and promises greater future rewards.

_Don Quixote's distinction between types of adventures and his continued promise of greater things._

> It is a balsam, the receipt of which I have in my memory, with which one need have no fear of death, or dread dying of any wound; and so when I make it and give it to thee thou hast nothing to do when in some battle thou seest they have cut me in half through the middle of the body... but neatly and with great nicety, ere the blood congeal, to place that portion of the body which shall have fallen to the ground upon the other half which remains in the saddle, taking care to fit it on evenly and exactly.

Don Quixote describes a miraculous balsam that can heal any wound, even if his body is cut in half, by fitting the pieces together and applying the balm.

_Don Quixote's fantastical belief in the balsam of Fierabras, highlighting his delusion._

## Links

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- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/don_quixote_se/chapters