# XLVII explained — Don Quixote

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

## What happens

Sancho Panza, now governor, experiences the absurdities of his new office. A physician prevents him from eating any dish, citing medical aphorisms. Sancho receives a letter from the Duke warning of attacks. A farmer petitions for money for his son's marriage, and Sancho angrily refuses. The chapter ends by returning to Don Quixote recovering from cat wounds.

## Themes in this chapter

### Social Class and Identity

Sancho's struggle to adapt to the role of governor highlights the absurdities and constraints of social status.

### Justice and Morality

Sancho's handling of the farmer's petition reflects his sense of justice and frustration with unreasonable demands.

## Character check-ins

### Sancho Panza

Governor of the island, frustrated by the physician's dietary restrictions and angered by a farmer's request for money.

### The Duke

Sends a letter to Sancho warning of attacks and offering advice.

### The Duchess

Mentioned by Sancho in his request to send regards and a letter to his wife.

### Teresa Panza

Sancho's wife, to whom he wishes to send a letter and bundle.

### Don Quixote

Mentioned at the end of the chapter, recovering from cat wounds with his face bandaged.

### Cide Hamete Benengeli

The historian who promises to relate the events with exactitude.

## Key lines

> I, señor, am a physician, and I am paid a salary in this island to serve its governors as such, and I have a much greater regard for their health than for my own, studying day and night and making myself acquainted with the governor’s constitution, in order to be able to cure him when he falls sick.

The doctor claims his duty is to protect the governor's health by controlling his diet, even at the expense of the governor's hunger.

_Highlights the absurdity of the physician's overzealous care._

> By all that’s good, you ill-bred, boorish Don Bumpkin, if you don’t get out of this at once and hide yourself from my sight, I’ll lay your head open with this chair.

Sancho angrily threatens the farmer who asked for money, showing his frustration with the petitioner's audacity.

_Demonstrates Sancho's temper and his rejection of corrupt requests._

## Links

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