# LXII Which deals with the adventure of the enchanted head, together with other trivial matters which cannot be left untold. explained — Don Quixote

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

## What happens

Don Quixote stays with Don Antonio Moreno in Barcelona, who devises harmless amusements to showcase his madness. Don Quixote is paraded on a balcony, endures a dancing party where he declares his devotion to Dulcinea, and witnesses the enchanted head that answers questions. He also visits a printing house, criticizes a false sequel to his story, and prepares to see the galleys.

## Themes in this chapter

### Reality vs. Illusion

The enchanted head is a trick that Don Quixote accepts as magic, blurring the line between reality and illusion.

### Madness and Sanity

Don Quixote's madness is on display through his reactions to the dancing and the enchanted head, while others treat him as a spectacle.

### Chivalry and Idealism

Don Quixote's chivalric devotion to Dulcinea is highlighted when he rejects the advances of the dancing ladies.

### Literature and Metafiction

Don Quixote critiques a false sequel to his own story at the printing house, reflecting on authorship and authenticity.

## Character check-ins

### Don Quixote

Paraded on a balcony, dances until exhausted, declares his loyalty to Dulcinea, and visits a printing house.

### Sancho Panza

Delights in the festivities, recounts his governorship, and comments on dancing.

### Don Antonio Moreno

Hosts Don Quixote, devises harmless jests, and demonstrates the enchanted head.

### Dulcinea del Toboso

Invoked by Don Quixote as the queen of his heart during the dance.

### The Duke

Mentioned in the context of Sancho's previous government.

### The Duchess

Mentioned in the context of Sancho's previous government.

## Key lines

> for jests that give pain are no jests, and no sport is worth anything if it hurts another.

Jokes that cause harm are not true jokes, and any amusement that injures someone is worthless.

_Don Antonio's philosophy on harmless entertainment._

> Fugite, partes adversae! Leave me in peace, unwelcome overtures; avaunt, with your desires, ladies, for she who is queen of mine, the peerless Dulcinea del Toboso, suffers none but hers to lead me captive and subdue me

Begone, adversaries! Stop your unwanted advances, ladies, because my queen, the unmatched Dulcinea del Toboso, alone has the right to captivate and conquer me.

_Don Quixote's dramatic rejection of the dancing ladies._

> for fictions have the more merit and charm about them the more nearly they approach the truth or what looks like it; and true stories, the truer they are the better they are

Fictional works are more valuable and appealing the closer they come to the truth or the appearance of truth; and true accounts are better the more accurate they are.

_Don Quixote's literary critique at the printing house._

## Links

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