Don Quixote’s Adventures: Chapters 26-41
Chapter 26
After Don Quixote’s departure, a bewildered Sancho, emulating Amadis of Gaul, launched into melancholic pronouncements and praises of the knight-errant. He then recited a poem describing the surrounding landscape. Lacking sustenance, he searched for herbs. Upon encountering the priest and barber, Sancho recounted his adventures, including a lost letter from Dulcinea. The priest and barber, amused by Sancho’s forgetfulness, offered him food before joining him in the search for Don Quixote.
Chapter 27
Disguised, the priest, barber, and Sancho set out to find Don Quixote, intending to lure him back with a fabricated message from Dulcinea. While awaiting their return, Cardenio recounted his tragic love story involving Lucinda and Don Fernando. He described Lucinda’s forced marriage to Don Fernando, her secret love for Cardenio, and his subsequent retreat to the mountains. Suddenly, cries of despair interrupted his tale.
Chapter 28
The cries led them to Dorothea, who shared her own tale of woe. Don Fernando had seduced and abandoned her, then married Lucinda. Dorothea revealed Lucinda’s faint at the wedding, a hidden note professing her love for Cardenio, and a concealed dagger. Fernando, enraged, had attempted to attack Lucinda but was restrained. Both Fernando and Lucinda had subsequently disappeared.
Chapter 29
Cardenio revealed his identity to Dorothea, pledging to find Don Fernando. Sancho arrived, reporting Don Quixote’s disheveled state and refusal to return without proving himself worthy of Dulcinea. They devised a plan: Dorothea would impersonate Princess Micomicona, seeking a knight to slay a giant. Don Quixote, ever chivalrous, agreed to help. The priest, barber, and Cardenio joined their journey.
Chapter 30
Sancho inadvertently revealed Don Quixote’s role in freeing the galley slaves. Don Quixote defended his actions, emphasizing his duty to aid the unfortunate. Dorothea elaborated on her fictional plight as Princess Micomicona, daughter of King Tinacrio and Queen Jaramilla, threatened by the giant Pandafilando. Don Quixote vowed to slay the giant but not marry the princess, remaining true to Dulcinea. Sancho, angered by this decision, was chastised by Don Quixote. They encountered a man on Sancho’s donkey, who fled, leaving the donkey behind. Sancho joyfully reunited with his animal.
Chapter 31
Sancho fabricated a tale of his encounter with Dulcinea, claiming she had torn up Don Quixote’s letter because she couldn’t read. He insisted Don Quixote must see Dulcinea in person. Don Quixote, consumed by doubts, debated whether to visit Dulcinea or slay the giant first. Sancho, fearing for his promised island governorship, urged him to prioritize the giant.
Chapter 32
Don Quixote and Sancho returned to the inn, where a debate ensued about the authenticity of chivalric tales. The priest and barber argued for their falsehood, while the innkeeper and others defended them. The priest discovered a suitcase containing three books: Don Cirongilio of Thrace, Felixmarte of Hyrcania, and The History of the Great Captain Gonzalo Hernández de Córdoba. He also found a manuscript titled The Curious Impertinent, which he began to read aloud.
Chapter 33
The Curious Impertinent told the story of Anselmo and Lothario, whose close friendship was tested by Anselmo’s desire to test his wife Camilla’s fidelity. Anselmo asked Lothario to woo Camilla, but Lothario initially refused, believing it would only prove Camilla’s virtue. Anselmo persisted, and Lothario reluctantly agreed, fabricating tales of Camilla’s rejection. Anselmo, suspicious, threatened to find another to tempt Camilla. Lothario swore to carry out the plan, and Anselmo left Camilla and Lothario alone for eight days.
Chapter 34
Camilla succumbed to Lothario’s advances. She wrote to Anselmo, who returned and questioned Lothario, who confirmed Camilla’s supposed purity. Camilla confided in her maid Leonela, who used the secret to facilitate her own affair. Lothario, seeing a man leave Camilla’s house (Leonela’s lover), informed Anselmo, believing it was Camilla’s lover. They devised a plan to restore Camilla and Lothario’s reputations.
Chapter 35
Sancho interrupted the reading, announcing Don Quixote’s battle with the giant. They found Don Quixote in his room, clad in a shirt, cleaning a knife with wineskins. The innkeeper attacked Don Quixote, who was subdued by Cardenio and the priest. The barber awakened Don Quixote with cold water. They resumed reading The Curious Impertinent, learning of Leonela’s escape with Camilla, leaving Anselmo alone. Anselmo retreated to a friend’s house, where he died, leaving an epilogue lamenting his fate.
Chapter 36
Four horsemen, two men on foot, and a woman in white arrived at the inn. The woman remained veiled, refusing to answer questions. Cardenio recognized her and engaged in conversation, revealing her to be Lucinda, the object of his affections and Don Fernando’s wife.
Chapter 37
Sancho mistakenly believed Dorothea was a princess and Fernando the giant. Don Quixote awoke and recounted his imaginary battle with the giant. Sancho corrected him, explaining the real events. Don Quixote joined the others, conversing with Dorothea. Fernando offered to escort Don Quixote home, relieving the innkeeper.
Chapter 38
Don Quixote discussed the hardships of soldiers, praising their resilience and lamenting their lack of recognition. He compared their work to that of scholars, arguing that soldiers were less rewarded despite their greater labors. He affirmed the importance of lawyers and laws in maintaining order and security.
Chapters 39, 40, and 41: The Captive’s Tale
A captive recounted his story. His father had divided his estate among his three sons, one for a military career, one for scholarly pursuits, and one for trade. The captive chose the military path. After various adventures, he was captured by the King of Algiers. A woman in Algiers sent him a letter and money, proposing escape and marriage. He escaped with the help of friends, searched for the woman and a hidden treasure, and eventually reached the mountains of Leon with his beloved.