Don Quixote · Chapter
VII explained
Sancho Panza negotiates with Don Quixote for fixed wages, but Don Quixote insists on the traditional knight-errant reward system.
What happens
Sancho Panza negotiates with Don Quixote for fixed wages, but Don Quixote insists on the traditional knight-errant reward system. The housekeeper, alarmed at the prospect of a third sally, seeks help from Samson Carrasco, who instead encourages the departure. After reconciling, Don Quixote and Sancho set out for El Toboso, accompanied partway by Samson.
Themes in this chapter
Chivalry and Idealism
Don Quixote insists on adhering to the ancient traditions of knight-errantry, rejecting Sancho's request for fixed wages.
Friendship and Loyalty
Sancho and Don Quixote reconcile and embrace, reaffirming their bond before the third sally.
Madness and Sanity
The housekeeper and niece lament Don Quixote's madness, while Samson Carrasco manipulates it for his own purposes.
Characters to notice
- Don Quixote
Negotiates with Sancho, insists on reward-based service, and prepares for a third sally.
- Sancho Panza
Bargains for fixed wages, uses proverbs, and ultimately agrees to serve on reward.
- Samson Carrasco
Encourages the third sally, offers a helmet, and accompanies them partway.
- The Housekeeper
Fears Don Quixote's madness and seeks Samson's help to prevent the third sally.
- Teresa Panza
Mentioned by Sancho as advising him to secure wages.
Key passages
“I would bet that from the very first you understood me, and knew what I meant, but you wanted to put me out that you might hear me make another couple of dozen blunders.”
Sancho accuses Don Quixote of pretending not to understand him just to enjoy his mistakes.
Sancho's playful challenge to Don Quixote's correction of his speech.
“A good hope is better than a bad holding, and a good grievance better than a bad compensation.”
Don Quixote argues that the promise of a future reward is superior to a poor immediate payment.
Don Quixote uses a proverb to justify the traditional reward system.
“The curses which both housekeeper and niece poured out on the bachelor were past counting; they tore their hair, they clawed their faces, and in the style of the hired mourners that were once in fashion, they raised a lamentation over the departure of their master and uncle, as if it had been his death.”
The housekeeper and niece bitterly curse Samson Carrasco and mourn Don Quixote's departure as if he were dying.
Dramatic reaction to the third sally, highlighting the family's despair.