Don Quixote · Chapter
Of what happened Don Quixote on entering Barcelona, together with other matters that partake of the true rather than of the ingenious explained
Don Quixote and Sancho, after spending three days with the bandit Roque Guinart, are guided to Barcelona on Saint John's Eve.
What happens
Don Quixote and Sancho, after spending three days with the bandit Roque Guinart, are guided to Barcelona on Saint John's Eve. They witness a grand spectacle of galleys, horsemen, and cannon fire. Upon entering the city, they are greeted by a cavalier who recognizes them from their history, and they are escorted to a large house, though mischievous boys cause them to be thrown from their mounts by placing furze under the tails of Rocinante and Dapple.
Themes in this chapter
Reality vs. Illusion
Don Quixote is recognized as the 'true' knight-errant by the horsemen, contrasting with the 'false' histories, yet the prank with the furze underscores the mundane reality that disrupts his chivalric fantasy.
Chivalry and Idealism
Don Quixote's idealistic vision of knight-errantry is celebrated by the welcoming party, but the boys' mischief and the bandit Roque's weary life highlight the gap between chivalric ideals and harsh reality.
Characters to notice
- Don Quixote
Arrives in Barcelona, is recognized and welcomed by local horsemen, and is thrown from Rocinante by boys' prank.
- Sancho Panza
Accompanies Don Quixote, receives ten crowns from Roque Guinart, and is thrown from Dapple by the same prank.
- Roque Guinart
Hosts Don Quixote for three days, then guides him to Barcelona and bids farewell, giving Sancho ten crowns.
- Rocinante
Has furze placed under its tail by boys, causing it to buck and throw Don Quixote.
- Dapple
Has furze placed under its tail by boys, causing it to buck and throw Sancho.
- Cide Hamete Benengeli
Referenced as the historian who described the true Don Quixote.
Key passages
“These gentlemen have plainly recognised us; I will wager they have read our history, and even that newly printed one by the Aragonese.”
Don Quixote believes the horsemen know him from the published accounts of his adventures.
Shows Don Quixote's awareness of his own fame and the existence of spurious sequels.
“The poor beasts felt the strange spurs and added to their anguish by pressing their tails tight, so much so that, cutting a multitude of capers, they flung their masters to the ground.”
The animals bucked violently due to the furze, throwing both riders off.
Illustrates the comic and humiliating intrusion of reality into Don Quixote's grand entrance.
“They reached the strand on Saint John's Eve during the night; and Roque, after embracing Don Quixote and Sancho (to whom he presented the ten crowns he had promised but had not until then given), left them with many expressions of goodwill on both sides.”
Roque Guinart escorted them to the beach, gave Sancho the promised money, and departed amicably.
Concludes the episode with Roque and sets the stage for the Barcelona arrival.