# Of what befell Don Quixote in the Sierra Morena, which was one of the rarest adventures related in this veracious history explained — Don Quixote

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

## What happens

Don Quixote and Sancho Panza enter the Sierra Morena to escape the Holy Brotherhood after freeing the galley slaves. While encamped, Ginés de Pasamonte steals Sancho's donkey, Dapple. Don Quixote consoles Sancho by promising him three of his five ass-colts. They discover a valise containing fine linen, gold crowns, and a memorandum book with a sonnet and a love letter, hinting at a rejected lover's story. Don Quixote interprets the writings, while Sancho rejoices in the gold.

## Themes in this chapter

### Chivalry and Idealism

Don Quixote's promise to give Sancho three ass-colts reflects his chivalric sense of responsibility, while his interpretation of the found writings shows his idealistic view of love and poetry.

### Friendship and Loyalty

Don Quixote consoles Sancho after the theft of Dapple, and Sancho remains loyal despite his fear of the Brotherhood, highlighting their bond.

### Justice and Morality

The theft by Ginés de Pasamonte, whom Don Quixote freed, underscores the theme of ingratitude and the unintended consequences of misguided justice.

## Character check-ins

### Don Quixote

Consoles Sancho after the theft of Dapple, discovers the valise and reads the sonnet and letter, showing his poetic knowledge and chivalric idealism.

### Sancho Panza

Laments the loss of his donkey Dapple, is consoled by Don Quixote's promise of ass-colts, and greedily searches the valise for treasure, finding gold crowns.

### Ginés de Pasamonte

Steals Sancho's ass while they sleep, motivated by ingratitude and necessity, fleeing the Holy Brotherhood.

### Dapple

Sancho's donkey, stolen by Ginés de Pasamonte during the night.

### Rocinante

Don Quixote's horse, left untouched by Ginés as it was not worth pawning or selling.

## Key lines

> O son of my bowels, born in my very house, my children's plaything, my wife's joy, the envy of my neighbours, relief of my burdens, and lastly, half supporter of myself, for with the six-and-twenty maravedis thou didst earn me daily I met half my charges.

Sancho laments the loss of his donkey Dapple, calling it a beloved family member and essential provider.

_Sancho's emotional speech shows his deep attachment to Dapple and the practical importance of the donkey for his livelihood._

> To retire is not to flee, and there is no wisdom in waiting when danger outweighs hope, and it is the part of wise men to preserve themselves today for tomorrow, and not risk all in one day.

Sancho argues that retreating from danger is prudent, not cowardly, and that it is wise to survive for another day.

_Sancho uses folk wisdom to persuade Don Quixote to flee from the Holy Brotherhood, contrasting with Don Quixote's reckless bravery._

> It seems to me, Sancho—and it is impossible it can be otherwise—that some strayed traveller must have crossed this sierra and been attacked and slain by footpads, who brought him to this remote spot to bury him.

Don Quixote speculates that the valise belongs to a murdered traveler, but Sancho points out that robbers would not have left the money.

_This exchange highlights Don Quixote's tendency to imagine dramatic adventures, while Sancho's practical reasoning corrects him._

## Links

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