CliffsNotes on

Don Quixote

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Book Summary

Miguel de Cervantes Biography

Summary, Analysis, and Original Text by Chapter

Part 1: The Author's Preface
Part 1: Chapter I
Part 1: Chapter II
Part 1: Chapter III–IV
Part 1: Chapter V–VI
Part 1: Chapter VII
Part 1: Chapter VIII
Part 1: Chapter IX
Part 1: Chapter X–XIII
Part 1: Chapter XIV
Part 1: Chapter XV–XVIII
Part 1: Chapter XIX
Part 1: Chapter XX
Part 1: Chapter XXI–XXIV
Part 1: Chapter XXV
Part 1: Chapter XXVI–XXIX
Part 1: Chapter XXX
Part 1: Chapter XXXI–XXXII
Part 1: Chapter XXXIII–XXXIV
Part 1: Chapter XXXV
Part 1: Chapter XXXVI–XL
Part 1: Chapter XLI
Part 1: Chapter XLII–XLIV
Part 1: Chapter XLV
Part 1: Chapter XLVI–LI
Part 1: Chapter LII
Part 2: The Author's Preface
Part 2: Chapter I
Part 2: Chapter II–IV
Part 2: Chapter V
Part 2: Chapter VI
Part 2: Chapter VII–VIII
Part 2: Chapter IX–X
Part 2: Chapter XI
Part 2: Chapter XII–XIV
Part 2: Chapter XV
Part 2: Chapter XVI–XVII
Part 2: Chapter XVIII–XXII
Part 2: Chapter XXIII
Part 2: Chapter XXIV–XXV
Part 2: Chapter XXVI
Part 2: Chapter XXVII–XXXIV
Part 2: Chapter XXXV
Part 2: Chapter XXXVI–XL
Part 2: Chapter XLI
Part 2: Chapter XLII–LI
Part 2: Chapter LII
Part 2: Chapter LIII–LIV
Part 2: Chapter LV
Part 2: Chapter LVI–LVII
Part 2: Chapter LVIII
Part 2: Chapter LIX–LX
Part 2: Chapter LXI–LXII
Part 2: Chapter LXIII–LXIV
Part 2: Chapter LXV–LXXII
Part 2: Chapter LXXIII
Part 2: Chapter LXXIV

Character List

Critical Essays

Purpose of Don Quixote
Technique and Style in Don Quixote
Characterization in Don Quixote
Themes in Don Quixote

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Summary, Analysis, and Original Text by Chapter

Part 2: Chapter VII–VIII

The housekeeper, in desperation, begs the bachelor Samson to dissuade the senor from his preparations. Instead, the sly student encourages the knight and bids him make haste on his journey. Meanwhile, Sancho has added his voice of dissent to that of the niece. He requests his master to guarantee him a monthly wage. Don Quixote declares that no squire in history has received anything in payment except what fortunes the knight wins during his travels. He dismisses Sancho, saying that he shall find a squire perhaps Samson Carrasco who accepts these terms. The squire is "struck dumb with disappointment; 'twas cloudy weather with him in an instant," and Sancho begs forgiveness, and, after a fond embrace, the two friends agree to remain together. They now continue preparations for the journey; Samson offers the Don an intact helmet that he can borrow from a friend. Well-provisioned, Sancho and his master, equally filled with hope for what the future will provide, ride to their first destination, 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.


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