Although the parallel between the innkeeper and Don Quixote is clear with regard to their implicit belief in the most extravagant fables found in books of chivalry, as well as their inspiration from deeds of knights, the differences in their characters are more outstanding. The innkeeper remains at home, perfectly sane, because he is content to let the world run as it is so long as he can continue cheating it. Don Quixote, on the other hand, wishes to play a more noble and heroic role in the world and reform it. Thus the madness of the knight is a direct consequence of his nobility of character, whereas the utter sanity of the innkeeper is due to his being perfectly commonplace.
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