Don Quixote · Chapter
Of what happened Sancho in making the round of his island explained
Sancho Panza, as governor of his island, deals with various petitioners and cases during his nightly rounds.
What happens
Sancho Panza, as governor of his island, deals with various petitioners and cases during his nightly rounds. He expresses frustration with the demands of office and his strict diet enforced by Doctor Pedro Recio. He hears the story of a young woman who disguised herself as a man to see the world, and adjudicates a dispute between a gambler and a loser, banishing the idle man. He also encounters a witty young weaver who claims no one can make him sleep in prison, leading to a clever exchange.
Themes in this chapter
Social Class and Identity
Sancho's governance highlights the contrast between his humble origins and his new authority, as he navigates the expectations of his office.
Justice and Morality
Sancho's rulings on the gambling dispute and the weaver's case demonstrate his practical sense of justice and moral reasoning.
Reality vs. Illusion
The damsel's story of being kept in seclusion and her disguise blurs the line between her perceived reality and the world she longs to experience.
Characters to notice
- Sancho Panza
Governor of the island, making his rounds and dispensing justice with a mix of common sense and humor.
- The Duke
Mentioned as the one who instructed the majordomo to test Sancho.
- The Duchess
Implied as part of the duke's household orchestrating Sancho's governance.
- The Priest
Mentioned by the damsel as Pedro Pérez, whom she falsely called her father.
- Dapple
Sancho's donkey, mentioned as needing feeding alongside himself.
Key passages
“Now I see plainly enough that judges and governors ought to be and must be made of brass not to feel the importunities of the applicants that at all times and all seasons insist on being heard...”
Sancho realizes that officials must be unyielding to withstand constant demands from petitioners who want immediate attention.
Sancho reflects on the pressures of office and the need for patience.
“I mean to govern this island without giving up a right or taking a bribe; let everyone keep his eye open, and look out for the arrow; for I can tell them ‘the devil’s in Cantillana,’ and if they drive me to it they’ll see something that will astonish them.”
Sancho declares his intention to rule honestly and warns that he will not tolerate corruption, hinting at severe consequences if provoked.
Sancho asserts his integrity and warns against testing his patience.
“My misfortune, my misadventure, is simply this, that I entreated my brother to dress me up as a man in...”
The damsel confesses that her trouble began when she asked her brother to help her disguise herself as a man.
The young woman begins to reveal her story of disguise and escape.