# Chapter XLIII explained — Don Quixote

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

## What happens

Don Quixote, standing guard outside the inn, is tricked by Maritornes and the innkeeper's daughter, who tie his hand to a bolt through a hole in the wall, leaving him helpless. Meanwhile, Doña Clara confides in Dorothea about her love for a young man, and the chapter ends with Don Quixote's romantic lamentations to Dulcinea.

## Themes in this chapter

### Reality vs. Illusion

Don Quixote mistakes the inn for a castle and the hole for a window with a gilt grating, illustrating his delusional perception of reality.

### Chivalry and Idealism

Don Quixote's elaborate speech to Dulcinea and his refusal to betray his idealized love reflect his commitment to chivalric ideals.

### Love and Worship

Doña Clara's youthful confession of love and Don Quixote's devotional address to Dulcinea highlight the theme of idealized love.

## Character check-ins

### Don Quixote

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

### Maritornes

Plays a trick on Don Quixote by tying his hand to a bolt, laughing with the innkeeper's daughter.

### The Innkeeper's Daughter

Signals to Don Quixote from the hole in the wall, participating in the trick.

### Dorothea

Listens to Doña Clara's confession of love and comforts her before they sleep.

### Dulcinea del Toboso

Invoked by Don Quixote in his romantic soliloquy as the object of his devotion.

### Rocinante

Stands motionless under Don Quixote, supporting him during the trick.

## Key lines

> I pity you, beauteous lady, that you should have directed your thoughts of love to a quarter from whence it is impossible that such a return can be made to you as is due to your great merit and gentle birth

Don Quixote tells the woman he believes is a noble lady that he cannot return her love because he is devoted to Dulcinea.

_Demonstrates Don Quixote's chivalric refusal of romantic advances and his unwavering loyalty to Dulcinea._

> Finding himself fast, then, and that the ladies had retired, he began to fancy that all this was done by enchantment

After being tied up, Don Quixote assumes he is under a magical spell, as in his previous adventure.

_Highlights Don Quixote's tendency to interpret mundane events as enchanted occurrences._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/don_quixote_se/chapters/part-i-xliii
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/don_quixote_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/don_quixote_se/chapters