Don Quixote · Chapter
Chapter XIII explained
Don Quixote defends the order of knighthood, explaining its hardships and necessity, and debates with Vivaldo about the practice of knights commending themselves to their ladies.
What happens
Don Quixote defends the order of knighthood, explaining its hardships and necessity, and debates with Vivaldo about the practice of knights commending themselves to their ladies. The group arrives at the burial site of Chrysostom, where Ambrosio prepares to burn his friend's writings. Vivaldo intervenes to save some papers, including the 'Lay of Despair,' and reads it aloud.
Themes in this chapter
Chivalry and Idealism
Don Quixote passionately defends the knight-errant's calling as laborious and necessary, comparing it to the monastic life.
Love and Worship
Debate on knights commending themselves to their ladies versus God; Don Quixote insists on the necessity of a lady for every knight.
Reality vs. Illusion
The travelers recognize Don Quixote's madness through his chivalric discourse, while he treats his imaginary world as real.
Characters to notice
- Don Quixote
Defends knight-errantry, explains the necessity of having a lady, and reveals Dulcinea's name and origin.
- Sancho Panza
Present during the journey and burial preparations.
- Dulcinea del Toboso
Named by Don Quixote as his lady, from El Toboso, a princess and superhuman beauty.
- Chrysostom
Deceased shepherd whose body is being buried; his tragic love for Marcela and his writings are central to the scene.
- Marcela
Mentioned as the shepherdess who scorned Chrysostom, leading to his death.
- Ambrosio
Chrysostom's friend, overseeing the burial and preparing to burn Chrysostom's papers.
- Vivaldo
A traveler who engages Don Quixote in debate and saves some of Chrysostom's writings from burning.
Key passages
“I go through these solitudes and wilds seeking adventures, resolved in soul to oppose my arm and person to the most perilous that fortune may offer me in aid of the weak and needy.”
Don Quixote declares his mission to wander and help the helpless.
Highlights his chivalric idealism and self-appointed role as protector.
“Thus are we God's ministers on earth and the arms by which his justice is done therein.”
Knights-errant are earthly agents of divine justice.
Don Quixote elevates knighthood to a sacred duty.
“He loved deeply, he was hated; he adored, he was scorned; he wooed a wild beast, he pleaded with marble, he pursued the wind, he cried to the wilderness, he served ingratitude, and for reward was made the prey of death in the midcourse of life.”
Chrysostom's love for Marcela was unrequited and led to his tragic death.
Ambrosio's eulogy emphasizes the futility of Chrysostom's passion.