Don Quixote · Chapter
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 explained
The curate persuades the officers that Don Quixote is mad, and disputes are settled, including compensation for the barber's basin and the innkeeper's losses.
What happens
The curate persuades the officers that Don Quixote is mad, and disputes are settled, including compensation for the barber's basin and the innkeeper's losses. Don Quixote, believing he must continue his quest, kneels before Dorothea. The company devises a plan to return Don Quixote home: they build a cage, disguise themselves as enchanters, and capture him while he sleeps. A prophetic voice (the barber) foretells his future marriage to Dulcinea and the birth of brave sons, comforting Don Quixote. Sancho Panza, though recognizing the disguises, remains silent. Don Quixote is placed in the cage on an oxcart.
Themes in this chapter
Reality vs. Illusion
Don Quixote perceives the disguised captors as enchanters, while Sancho recognizes them as real people; the line between reality and fantasy is blurred.
Madness and Sanity
The curate argues Don Quixote is mad, and the capture is justified by his insanity; Sancho is the only one in his senses.
Chivalry and Idealism
Don Quixote kneels before Dorothea and speaks of knightly duty; the prophecy of his marriage to Dulcinea fuels his idealistic quest.
Characters to notice
- Don Quixote
Believes he is enchanted when captured in the cage; comforted by the prophecy of his marriage to Dulcinea.
- Sancho Panza
Recognizes the disguised figures but does not dare to speak; bows respectfully to Don Quixote.
- The Priest
Persuades the officers of Don Quixote's madness; orchestrates the plan to cage and return him home.
- Dorothea
Kneels before her as part of Don Quixote's chivalric address; part of the company planning his return.
- Don Fernando
Pays the innkeeper's score and helps arrange the capture of Don Quixote.
- The Innkeeper
Demands payment for damages; participates in the disguised capture of Don Quixote.
- Master Nicholas
The barber who receives compensation for the basin and later provides the prophetic voice.
Key passages
“the curate was endeavouring to persuade the officers that he was out of his senses, as they might perceive by his deeds and his words, and that they need not press the matter any further, for even if they arrested him and carried him off, they would have to release him by-and-by as a madman”
The priest tried to convince the officers that Don Quixote was insane, so there was no point in arresting him because they would eventually have to let him go.
The curate argues for Don Quixote's madness to avoid arrest.
“they constructed a kind of cage with wooden bars, large enough to hold Don Quixote comfortably; and then Don Fernando and his companions, the servants of Don Luis, and the officers of the Brotherhood, together with the landlord, by the directions and advice of the curate, covered their faces and disguised themselves”
They built a wooden cage big enough for Don Quixote, and everyone disguised themselves under the curate's direction.
The plan to capture Don Quixote in a cage is executed.
“O Knight of the Rueful Countenance, let not this captivity in which thou art placed afflict thee, for this must needs be, for the more speedy accomplishment of the adventure in which thy great heart has engaged thee”
Do not be saddened by your imprisonment, Knight of the Rueful Countenance, because it is necessary for the swift completion of your great adventure.
The prophetic voice comforts Don Quixote about his captivity.
