Much is made about the insanity of the Knight of the Lions. His escapades and misunderstandings make for great comedy and discussion. But little is said about the insanity of Sancho Panza.
In the film Star Wars Han Solo (Harrison Ford) calls Obi Wan a ‘Damn fool.’ Kenobi (Sir Alec Guinness) retorts ‘Who’s more foolish? The fool or the fool who follows him?’ This is how I think of Panza. Often Sancho spouts off about how mad his master is and how Quixote will lead him to ruin. Yet Sancho always ends by deciding to continue to follow his master.
Even though Sancho knows that the knight is crazy, he still believes that he is going to bestowed his island kingdom. He also allows the crazy escapades to continue, even though they frequently end up with Sancho paying the price.
I have just reached the part where the duke and duchess concoct a scheme to ‘free’ the lady Dulcinea del Toboso. The plan entails a ‘sorcerer’ who tells Sancho that he must flog himself 3,300 times in order to disenchant his master’s lady love. Sancho knows that Dulcinea is not really enchanted, but truly is an ordinary country wench. He knows that she cannot be transformed into a beautiful maiden because she is not one. Yet he agrees to whip himself over and over so that she might be freed.
In addition to Sancho’s own insanity, I have to wonder about the other characters in the book. In order to transport Quixote back to his home after his second sally, the barber and holy man concoct a plan to convince the knight that he is being transported by spirits that are out to get him, instead of just locking him in the cage. Everyone seems to play into his insanity, rather that fight it. Some do so for entertainment purposes while others do so because it is the path of least resistance. I must wonder how often I do this. I know a few people who are a bit crazy in their own rights. Rather than correct them, I just play along. It keeps the peace that way. Sometimes is it not easier to think that a washbasin is a helmet?
In the film Star Wars Han Solo (Harrison Ford) calls Obi Wan a ‘Damn fool.’ Kenobi (Sir Alec Guinness) retorts ‘Who’s more foolish? The fool or the fool who follows him?’ This is how I think of Panza. Often Sancho spouts off about how mad his master is and how Quixote will lead him to ruin. Yet Sancho always ends by deciding to continue to follow his master.
Even though Sancho knows that the knight is crazy, he still believes that he is going to bestowed his island kingdom. He also allows the crazy escapades to continue, even though they frequently end up with Sancho paying the price.
I have just reached the part where the duke and duchess concoct a scheme to ‘free’ the lady Dulcinea del Toboso. The plan entails a ‘sorcerer’ who tells Sancho that he must flog himself 3,300 times in order to disenchant his master’s lady love. Sancho knows that Dulcinea is not really enchanted, but truly is an ordinary country wench. He knows that she cannot be transformed into a beautiful maiden because she is not one. Yet he agrees to whip himself over and over so that she might be freed.
In addition to Sancho’s own insanity, I have to wonder about the other characters in the book. In order to transport Quixote back to his home after his second sally, the barber and holy man concoct a plan to convince the knight that he is being transported by spirits that are out to get him, instead of just locking him in the cage. Everyone seems to play into his insanity, rather that fight it. Some do so for entertainment purposes while others do so because it is the path of least resistance. I must wonder how often I do this. I know a few people who are a bit crazy in their own rights. Rather than correct them, I just play along. It keeps the peace that way. Sometimes is it not easier to think that a washbasin is a helmet?
Quixote vanquishes his puppet enemies
The Knight Confronting the Lions
Quixote comforts his page when the 'monsters' of the water mill howl.
The forlorn knight being transported back home by the 'spirits'
