Stefan Wolfe

Don Quixote’s Realizations/ Changes

From what we have read so far, Don Quixote seems to be a very unaware man for the most part. His sidekick Sancho usually does all of the deciphering of what is happening in the real world and what is happening in Don Quixote’s mind. But, as we progress throughout the novel we find that Don Quixote is becoming more aware of his surroundings and what is happening once the freshness of is adventure has worn off a little. For example, when Quixote returns to the inn from which his first adventure began, he acknowledges that Chivalry is going out of style. This is substantial because usually, Quixote will be completely unaware of what he is following. I believe Cervantes uses this as a metaphor to show Quixotes change from when he first entered that inn, to when he enters in chapter 32. Farther back in the novel we began to see this slowly develop as well when Quixote and Sancho meet up with the herdsman. When they meet up with the herdsmen, Quixote instantly acknowledges the fact they are herdsmen and not some magical creature in the realm of King Arthur. In chapter 32 Quixote has an interesting quote that I believe shows his transformation in terms of awareness and realization of his surroundings. The quote states “I shall never be fool enough to turn knight-errant. For I see quite well that it’s not the fashion now to do as they did in the olden days when they say those famous knights roamed the world.” Because of this statement, the reader can imply that he is changing due to the fact that all he has ever wanted was to become knight-errant and now that he has had some experience and knows exactly what becoming knight-errant means, Quixote is having doubts. I believe this further explains Cervantes methods of using Quixote’s second visit to the inn to let the reader compare and contrast to the time he first visited the inn. Also, Quixote becomes fond of Dorothea later in the novel, which proves his change as a character even more. This proves his change due to the fact that towards the beginning of the novel, all he could talk about was Dulcinea del Toboso. Everything he did, all of his adventures and shenanigans was to either benefit her or impress her, and now he has somewhat of an interest in other women. I believe Quixote is showing great signs of change so far and am very curious to find out in what other ways his change as a character occurs.