Don Quixote · Chapter
Chapter LIX explained
Don Quixote and Sancho encounter two gentlemen, Don Juan and Don Jerónimo, who possess a spurious second part of Don Quixote's history.
What happens
Don Quixote and Sancho encounter two gentlemen, Don Juan and Don Jerónimo, who possess a spurious second part of Don Quixote's history. Don Quixote defends his constancy to Dulcinea and criticizes the false author's errors, including misnaming Sancho's wife. He decides to avoid Saragossa to expose the false history. Later, Don Quixote, despondent after being trampled by bulls, urges Sancho to take lashes for Dulcinea's disenchantment, but Sancho demurs, and they rest.
Themes in this chapter
Reality vs. Illusion
Don Quixote confronts a false version of his own story, blurring the line between authentic and fabricated reality.
Literature and Metafiction
The chapter self-referentially critiques a spurious sequel, highlighting the nature of authorship and narrative truth.
Love and Worship
Don Quixote vehemently defends his unwavering devotion to Dulcinea, treating it as a sacred ideal.
Characters to notice
- Don Quixote
Defends his love for Dulcinea, criticizes the false history, and urges Sancho to take lashes for her disenchantment.
- Sancho Panza
Defends his identity against the false history, argues with Don Quixote about the lashes, and advises eating and sleeping.
- Dulcinea del Toboso
Referenced as the object of Don Quixote's constant love and the subject of the enchantment needing Sancho's lashes.
- Teresa Panza
Mentioned as Sancho's wife; the false history incorrectly calls her Mari Gutierrez.
Key passages
“Dulcinea is a maiden still, and my passion more firmly rooted than ever, our intercourse unsatisfactory as before, and her beauty transformed into that of a foul country wench;”
Dulcinea remains a virgin, my love is stronger than ever, our relationship is still unfulfilled, and her beauty has been changed into that of a coarse peasant girl.
Don Quixote recounts Dulcinea's enchantment to Don Juan and Don Jerónimo.
“Whoever he may be who says that Don Quixote of La Mancha has forgotten or can forget Dulcinea del Toboso, I will teach him with equal arms that what he says is very far from the truth;”
Anyone who claims that Don Quixote has forgotten or could forget Dulcinea del Toboso, I will prove with weapons that they are completely wrong.
Don Quixote angrily defends his constancy upon hearing the false history claims he forgot Dulcinea.
“I was born, Sancho, to live dying, and thou to die eating;”
I was born, Sancho, to live a life of suffering, and you to die while enjoying food.
Don Quixote contrasts his tragic destiny with Sancho's earthly appetites.