XL explained

What happens

Themes in this chapter

• Chivalry and Idealism

  Don Quixote's promise to undertake the adventure reflects his chivalric ideals.

• Literature and Metafiction

  The narrator praises Cide Hamete and comments on the telling of the history.

• Friendship and Loyalty

  Sancho's eventual decision to accompany his master despite his reluctance.

Characters to notice

• Cide Hamete Benengeli

  Praised as the original author for his scrupulous detail.

• Don Quixote

  Promises to shave the beards of the duennas and confront Malambruno.

• Sancho Panza

  Reluctant to join the adventure, but eventually resolves to accompany his master.

• The Countess Trifaldi

  The Distressed One who pleads for Don Quixote's help and describes Clavileño.

• The Duchess

  Encourages Sancho to participate in the adventure.

• Malambruno

  The enchanter and giant who stole Clavileño and placed beards on the duennas.

• Merlin

  Mentioned as the maker of the wooden horse Clavileño.

• Clavileño

  The magical wooden horse that will be used for the journey.

Key passages

• “Verily and truly all those who find pleasure in histories like this ought show their gratitude to Cide Hamete, its original author, for the scrupulous care he has taken to set before us all its minute particulars...”

  The narrator praises Cide Hamete for his thorough and detailed storytelling.

  Metafictional commentary on the author's diligence.

• “I swear by the faith of an honest man and the shades of all my ancestors the Panzas, that never I did see or hear of, nor has my master related or conceived in his mind, such an adventure as this.”

  Sancho expresses astonishment at the bizarre adventure of the bearded duennas.

  Sancho's humorous reaction to the situation.

• “The chink of that promise, valiant knight, reached my ears in the midst of my swoon, and has been the means of reviving me and bringing back my senses...”

  The Countess Trifaldi revives upon hearing Don Quixote's promise to help.

  Dramatic revival motivated by hope.

• “I will pluck out my own in the land of the Moors, if I don't cure yours.”

  Don Quixote vows to remove the beards or suffer the same fate himself.

  Don Quixote's hyperbolic commitment to the adventure.

• “For going smoothly and easily, give me my Dapple, though he can't go through the air; but on the ground I'll back him against all the amblers in the world.”

  Sancho prefers his donkey Dapple for smooth riding on the ground.

  Sancho's earthy pragmatism contrasts with the magical horse.