Don Quixote · Chapter
XXXVII explained
The chapter continues the story of Princess Micomicona, revealing that she is actually Dorothea and the giant is Don Fernando.
What happens
The chapter continues the story of Princess Micomicona, revealing that she is actually Dorothea and the giant is Don Fernando. Don Quixote remains unaware of the deception, believing he has slain a giant. Sancho Panza is distressed as his hopes for a governorship fade. The inn is filled with joy over the resolution of the complicated affairs, except for Sancho. The curate explains Don Quixote's madness to the others, and they plan to get him home. A new traveler arrives, a Christian lately from Moorish lands, accompanied by a Moorish woman, adding a new element to the scene.
Themes in this chapter
Reality vs. Illusion
Don Quixote's belief that he fought a giant contrasts with the reality of the wineskins, while Dorothea's transformation back to her true identity blurs the line between the staged fiction and real life.
Social Class and Identity
Dorothea's role as a 'princess' and her return to being a private lady, along with Sancho's dashed hopes for a governorship, underscore the fluidity and performance of social identity.
Friendship and Loyalty
The group's collective effort to deceive Don Quixote for his own good, and the mutual support among the characters, highlights loyalty and camaraderie.
Characters to notice
- Don Quixote
Awakens believing he has slain a giant, unaware of the transformations around him.
- Sancho Panza
Distressed and dejected, he tries to inform Don Quixote of the reality of the wineskins and the true identities of the princess and giant.
- Dorothea
Revealed as the supposed Princess Micomicona; overjoyed at her reunion with Don Fernando.
- Cardenio
Present and content with the happy resolution; proposes continuing the scheme to get Don Quixote home.
- Luscinda
Shares in the general happiness; suggested to play Dorothea's part in the deception.
- Don Fernando
Grateful for his rescue and the restoration of his honor; insists on continuing the deception to help Don Quixote.
- The Priest
Explains Don Quixote's madness to the others and reflects on the happy outcome.
- Maritornes
Among those gathered around the newly arrived Moorish woman, curious about her costume.
Key passages
“Sancho, with a long face he went in to his master, who had just awoke, and said to him: 'Sir Rueful Countenance, your worship may as well sleep on as much as you like, without troubling yourself about killing any giant or restoring her kingdom to the princess; for that is all over and settled now.'”
Sancho, looking dejected, entered the room where his master had just woken up and told him he could stop worrying about slaying giants or reclaiming kingdoms, as everything had already been resolved.
Sancho's attempt to disillusion Don Quixote about the giant and the princess.
“Dorothea was unable to persuade herself that her present happiness was not all a dream; Cardenio was in a similar state of mind, and Luscinda’s thoughts ran in the same direction.”
Dorothea could hardly believe her joy was real, and Cardenio and Luscinda felt the same way.
The characters' disbelief at their sudden good fortune.
“The curate as a sensible man made sound reflections upon the whole affair, and congratulated each upon his good fortune; but the one that was in the highest spirits and good humour was the landlady, because of the promise Cardenio and the curate had given her to pay for all the losses and damage she had sustained through Don Quixote’s means.”
The priest wisely commented on the situation and congratulated everyone, but the happiest person was the innkeeper's wife, who had been promised payment for all the damage Don Quixote had caused.
The landlady's relief at being compensated for the chaos.
