Don Quixote · Chapter
XXXIX explained
The Distressed One continues her story, recounting how Queen Maguncia died of grief after Princess Antonomasia married Don Clavijo.
What happens
The Distressed One continues her story, recounting how Queen Maguncia died of grief after Princess Antonomasia married Don Clavijo. The giant Malambruno, an enchanter, appears and enchants the lovers, turning them into metal figures, and punishes the duennas by covering their faces with beards. The duennas reveal their bearded faces, causing wonder and amazement.
Themes in this chapter
Chivalry and Idealism
Sancho argues that a knight-errant can rise to become a king or emperor, reflecting the chivalric ideal of social mobility through valor.
Justice and Morality
The Vicar's decision in favor of Don Clavijo and the subsequent punishment by Malambruno raise questions about justice, revenge, and moral consequences.
Reality vs. Illusion
The enchanted transformation of the duennas' faces into beards blurs the line between reality and magical illusion, a central theme of the chapter.
Characters to notice
- Sancho Panza
Sancho interjects with commentary about the queen's death and defends the princess's marriage, drawing on his master's teachings.
- Don Quixote
Don Quixote listens and comments, supporting Sancho's reasoning and expressing anticipation for the bitter part of the story.
- The Countess Trifaldi
The Distressed One continues her narrative, describing the enchantment by Malambruno and the punishment of the duennas.
- The Duke
The Duke, along with the Duchess, feigns wonder at the sight of the bearded duennas.
- The Duchess
The Duchess is delighted by Sancho's words and joins the Duke in showing amazement at the duennas' appearance.
- Trifaldin
Trifaldin responds to Sancho's comment about burial, clarifying that only the dead are buried in Kandy.
Key passages
“At length, after much questioning and answering, as the princess held to her story, without changing or varying her previous declaration, the Vicar gave his decision in favour of Don Clavijo, and she was delivered over to him as his lawful wife; which the Queen Doña Maguncia, the Princess Antonomasia’s mother, so took to heart, that within the space of three days we buried her.”
After lengthy interrogation, the princess stuck to her account, and the Vicar ruled in Don Clavijo's favor, making her his wife. This so distressed Queen Maguncia that she died within three days.
Summarizes the Vicar's decision and the queen's death from grief.
“He then caused all the duennas of the palace, those that are here present, to be brought before him; and after having dwelt upon the enormity of our offence, and denounced duennas, their characters, their evil ways and worse intrigues, laying to the charge of all what I alone was guilty of, he said he would not visit us with capital punishment, but with others of a slow nature which would be in effect civil death forever; and the very instant he ceased speaking we all felt the pores of our faces opening, and pricking us, as if with the points of needles.”
Malambruno gathered the duennas, blamed them collectively for the offense, and instead of executing them, imposed a slow punishment. Immediately, their faces began to prickle as if pierced by needles.
Describes the enchantment that caused the duennas' faces to grow beards.