Book Review: Don Quixote

In 1605, Cervantes completed the first book of Don Quixote. In 1615, he completed the whole book.

Don Quixote is the Knight of the Sorrowful Face, a tragic figure who is clearly insane even before he starts out on his journey as a knight errant looking for adventures on his horse Rocinante and accompanied by Sancho Panza who rides his own donkey.

The most famous scene is at the start when Quixote charges at a windmill believing it to be a giant. His lance gets stuck in the sail and a gust of wind means lance, Quixote, and Rocinante are taken into the air before the lance snaps and knight and horse land on the ground.

Of course, Quixote gets up and keeps going, but to where I’m never sure. Quixote, Rocinante, and Panza get trampled by bulls and pigs. They’re beaten black and blue by various groups on the open road, largely because Quixote initiates an attack for example when he mistakes two flocks of sheep for two armies.

Don Quixote believes he must have a lady as chivalry requires it. His lady is called Dulcinea of Toboso who never features in the book. It’s a major theme and illustrates the difference between Quixote’s illusions and his reality.

The Cave of Montesinos is an example of this. Don Quixote voluntarily descends into this cave, claiming it is a portal to an enchanted world. He experiences a hallucinatory vision of chivalric knights, including Durandarte, and the weeping Guadiana. After being pulled out, he recounts the experience to his companions, who are sceptical because he appeared to have been asleep the whole time.

Quixote and Panza are blindfolded and tricked into riding a wooden horse called Clavileno for the amusement of some characters who blow bellows in their faces to make them think they’re flying. The wooden horse is full of fireworks and once the people are sufficiently amused they light the tail, leading to an explosion that severely scorches Quixote and Panza.