# XVII explained — Don Quixote

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

## What happens

Don Quixote and Sancho Panza endure a series of misfortunes at the inn, which Don Quixote insists is a castle. Don Quixote recounts a supposed visit from the innkeeper's daughter, but both are beaten during the night. The next morning, Don Quixote refuses to pay for lodging, citing the privileges of knights-errant, leading to Sancho being blanketed by other guests. Don Quixote then concocts a balsam that cures him but makes Sancho violently ill. They depart, with Don Quixote still insisting the inn is a castle.

## Themes in this chapter

### Reality vs. Illusion

Don Quixote insists the inn is a castle and that the innkeeper's daughter visited him, while Sancho and others experience the harsh reality of the inn.

### Chivalry and Idealism

Don Quixote refuses to pay for lodging based on the chivalric code, and claims his calling is to aid the weak and avenge wrongs.

### Friendship and Loyalty

Sancho remains loyal to Don Quixote despite being beaten and ill, and Don Quixote tries to help Sancho with the balsam.

## Character check-ins

### Don Quixote

Recovers from a swoon, claims he was visited by the innkeeper's daughter, refuses to pay for lodging, and concocts a balsam that cures him.

### Sancho Panza

Complains of being beaten, is blanketed by other guests, and suffers severe illness after drinking the balsam.

### The Innkeeper

Demands payment from Don Quixote and Sancho, and is called a 'stupid, scurvy innkeeper' by Don Quixote.

### The Innkeeper's Daughter

Mentioned by Don Quixote as the 'daughter of the lord of this castle' who supposedly visited him.

## Key lines

> How can I sleep, curses on it! when it is plain that all the devils have been at me this night?

Sancho complains that he cannot sleep because he has been tormented all night.

_Sancho expresses his suffering after the night's beatings._

> I have been under a mistake all this time, for in truth I thought it was a castle, and not a bad one; but since it appears that it is not a castle but an inn, all that can be done now is that you should excuse the payment, for I cannot contravene the rule of knights-errant...

Don Quixote admits he was mistaken about the inn being a castle, but still refuses to pay, citing the privileges of knights-errant.

_Don Quixote's delusion clashes with reality, yet he clings to chivalric rules._

> The cries of the poor blanketed wretch were so loud that they reached the ears of his master, who, halting to listen attentively, was persuaded that some new adventure was coming, until he clearly perceived that it was his squire who uttered them.

Don Quixote hears Sancho's screams and initially thinks it is a new adventure, but then realizes it is his squire being mistreated.

_Don Quixote's tendency to interpret events as adventures is highlighted._

## Links

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