Of the discourse Don Quixote had with his good squire Sancho Panza.

Prompts:

1) What did you think of Sancho’s behaviour in this chapter? What do you think makes him go along with things despite knowing better?

2) Sancho brings up the possibility of someone they encountered reporting them to some authority. Do you predict Don Quixote will have a brush with the authorities at some point, or even find himself in prison?

3) What do you think of the Don’s self-confidence? (“have you ever seen a more valorous knight than I, upon the whole face of the known earth?”)

4) Don Quixote’s ear injury makes him recollect the “balsam of Fierabras” for which he has the recipe. “he that has it need not fear death, nor so much as think of dying by any wound.” They plan to make it on the next opportunity. What do you predict will come of that? Will we see Don Quixote more reckless than ever?

5) Favourite line / anything else to add?

Free Reading Resources:

• Project Gutenberg
• Standard eBook
• Librivox Audiobook

Illustrations:

1. before he got up, he fell upon his knees before him -
2. - and, taking hold of his hand, kissed it
3. Sancho took some lint and ointment out of his wallet
4. when Don Quixote perceived that his helmet was broken, he was ready to run stark mad; and laying his hand on his sword, and lifting up his eyes to heaven, he said ..
5. both the sun and their hopes failed them near the huts of certain goatherds
6. lie in the open air

1, 5 by Ricardo Balaca (source)
2, 6 by Gustave Doré (source)
3 by Tony Johannot (source)
4 by George Roux (source)

Past years discussions:

• 2021-01-20

Final line:

.. his master was so much rejoiced to lie in the open air, making account that every time this befell him, he was doing an act possessive, or such an act as gave a fresh evidence of his title to chivalry.

Next post:

Sat, 22 Jan; in two days, i.e. one-day gap.