Don Quixote's Success in His Journey to Visit the Lady Dulcinea del Toboso.
While they travel, Don Quixote and Sancho discourse on the qualities and deeds that purchase immortality. As Sancho points out, more reverence is shown to barefooted, flagellating friars who become sainted than to many a bolder and more daring knight. Says Sancho, "a dozen or two of sound lashes, well meant and as well laid on, will obtain more of Heaven than two thousand thrusts with a lance, though they be given to giants, or dragons, or hobgoblins." That is true, says his master, but "all men cannot be friars; we have different paths allotted us to mount to the high seat of Eternal Felicity. Chivalry is a religious order, and there are knights in the fraternity of saints in heaven." At evening of the second day, they arrive at Toboso. Don Quixote will not enter the city until late at night, however, and they rest among some trees outside the town.
Commentary
More serious in this second part, Cervantes firmly states his hero's conviction that his way of life is a religious order, respectful of Catholic orthodoxy in his belief that the works of man on earth are rewarded in heaven. Knighthood is no longer a burlesque to the author, and Don Quixote, suggestively characterized with saintliness in Part One, begins to fulfill his spiritual potential. It seems as if Cervantes has become more and more convinced of the depth of character of Don Quixote as he has continued to work with him.
