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Don Quixote · Chapter

The Ill-Advised Curiosity explained

Anselmo and Lothario are close friends in Florence.

What happens

Anselmo and Lothario are close friends in Florence. Anselmo marries the beautiful Camilla and, driven by a desire to test her virtue, asks Lothario to court her. Lothario warns against this dangerous plan, arguing that a virtuous woman should not be tempted, but Anselmo insists.

Themes in this chapter

  • Friendship and Loyalty

    Anselmo and Lothario's bond is tested by Anselmo's request, which Lothario argues violates true friendship.

  • Justice and Morality

    The moral dilemma of testing a virtuous woman is debated, with Lothario arguing it is unjust and dangerous.

Characters to notice

  • Anselmo

    A wealthy Florentine gentleman who marries Camilla and becomes obsessed with testing her fidelity.

  • Lothario

    Anselmo's close friend, who is reluctant to participate in the plan to tempt Camilla.

  • Camilla

    Anselmo's virtuous wife, whose chastity is to be tested.

Key passages

  • “I cannot satisfy myself of the truth on this point except by testing her in such a way that the trial may prove the purity of her virtue as the fire proves that of gold”

    Anselmo believes he must test Camilla's virtue to be certain of it, comparing the trial to refining gold by fire.

    Anselmo's reasoning for his dangerous plan.

  • “Woman is a thing of glass; But her brittleness ’tis best Not too curiously to test”

    Lothario warns that a woman's virtue is fragile and should not be deliberately tested.

    Lothario's cautionary advice using a metaphor from a comedy.

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