Don Quixote · Chapter
Of how the great Sancho Panza took possession of his island, and of how he made a beginning in governing. explained
Sancho Panza arrives at the island of Barataria, is ceremoniously installed as governor, and presides over a series of comical and shrewd judgments: a dispute over a loan of ten gold crowns, a case of alleged assault and theft, and a quarre
What happens
Sancho Panza arrives at the island of Barataria, is ceremoniously installed as governor, and presides over a series of comical and shrewd judgments: a dispute over a loan of ten gold crowns, a case of alleged assault and theft, and a quarrel between a laborer and a tailor over caps. His decisions astonish and amuse the onlookers, and are recorded for the duke.
Themes in this chapter
Justice and Morality
Sancho's judgments, though comical, reveal a practical and moral sense of justice, as seen in the cases of the loan, the assault, and the tailor.
Social Class and Identity
Sancho rejects the title 'Don' and insists on his humble lineage, highlighting the tension between social pretension and true identity.
Chivalry and Idealism
The idealistic notion of a just governor is parodied through Sancho's earthy, common-sense rulings, contrasting with Don Quixote's lofty chivalric ideals.
Characters to notice
- Sancho Panza
Takes possession of the island of Barataria and begins his governorship, delivering clever and humorous judgments.
- The Duke
Mentioned as the lord of the island; Sancho's judgments are recorded and sent to him.
- The Duchess
Implied as part of the duke's household involved in the burlesque governance.
- Altisidora
Mentioned at the end as having troubled Don Quixote with her music.
- Don Quixote
Referenced at the chapter's close as being troubled by Altisidora's music.
Key passages
“O perpetual discoverer of the antipodes, torch of the world, eye of heaven, sweet stimulator of the water-coolers!”
O Sun, you who reveal the farthest lands, light the world, and warm the water jugs!
A mock-heroic invocation to the Sun, typical of Cervantes' parody of epic conventions.
“I haven't got the 'Don,' nor has any one of my family ever had it; my name is plain Sancho Panza...”
I have no noble title; my name is simply Sancho Panza, without any 'Don' attached.
Sancho insists on his humble origins, rejecting the honorific 'Don' as pretentious.
“If you had shown as much, or only half as much, spirit and vigour in defending your body as you have shown in defending that purse, the strength of Hercules could not have forced you.”
If you had fought off the man's advances as fiercely as you fought to keep the purse, even Hercules couldn't have overpowered you.
Sancho's witty rebuke to the woman who claimed she was assaulted but fiercely guarded the money.