# Which tells how adventures came crowding on Don Quixote in such numbers that they gave one another no breathing-time. explained — Don Quixote

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

## What happens

Don Quixote and Sancho, having left the Duke's castle, discuss freedom and gratitude. They encounter laborers carrying religious images (Saint George, Saint Martin, and a patron saint of Spain), which Don Quixote praises as knights-errant. Later, they meet shepherds and shepherdesses in a pastoral setting, and Don Quixote offers to defend the beauty of the ladies present (except Dulcinea) for two days. A herd of bulls then charges and tramples them. After recovering, they are invited to a pastoral gathering where Don Quixote delivers a speech on gratitude and reiterates his offer.

## Themes in this chapter

### Chivalry and Idealism

Don Quixote interprets religious images as knights-errant and offers to defend the beauty of shepherdesses in a chivalric challenge, demonstrating his idealistic worldview.

### Madness and Sanity

Sancho defends Don Quixote's sanity, while the onlookers are left wondering whether he is mad or rational, especially after his defiant stand against the bulls.

### Friendship and Loyalty

Sancho's loyalty is evident as he defends his master's actions and stands by him despite the danger.

## Character check-ins

### Don Quixote

Delivers a speech on freedom and gratitude; praises religious knights; offers to defend the beauty of the shepherdesses; is trampled by bulls but persists.

### Sancho Panza

Carries the duke's gold crowns; comments on the images; shields himself behind Rocinante during the bull charge; defends his master's sanity.

### Dulcinea del Toboso

Referenced as the peerless lady of Don Quixote's thoughts, excepted from his praise of the shepherdesses.

### Rocinante

Trampled by the bulls along with Don Quixote and Sancho.

### Dapple

Belaboured during the bull charge.

### Altisidora

Mentioned as the source of attentions from which Don Quixote feels relieved at the start of the chapter.

## Key lines

> Freedom, Sancho, is one of the most precious gifts that heaven has bestowed upon men; no treasures that the earth holds buried or the sea conceals can compare with it; for freedom, as for honour, life may and should be ventured; and on the other hand, captivity is the greatest evil that can fall to the lot of man.

Don Quixote tells Sancho that freedom is the greatest gift from heaven, worth more than any treasure, and that captivity is the worst evil.

_Don Quixote reflects on the value of freedom after leaving the Duke's castle._

> One of the greatest sins that men are guilty of is—some will say pride—but I say ingratitude, going by the common saying that hell is full of ingrates.

Don Quixote declares that ingratitude is a major sin, even worse than pride, and that hell is filled with ungrateful people.

_Don Quixote delivers a speech on gratitude at the pastoral gathering._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/don_quixote_se/chapters/part-ii-lviii
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/don_quixote_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/don_quixote_se/chapters