Summary of Don Quixote Part One
Chapter 1
In a village in La Mancha, there lives a fifty-year-old nobleman named Alonso Quijano. His great passion for books of chivalry drives him mad, and he decides to become a knight-errant. He prepares the ancient weapons of his ancestors, renames his old horse Rocinante, and gives himself the title of Don Quixote de la Mancha. He also chooses a lady to whom he will dedicate his future victories: a peasant girl named Aldonza Lorenzo, whom he idealizes as Dulcinea del Toboso.
Chapter 2
Don Quixote sets out on his first outing one hot morning, armed with his old weapons and mounted on Rocinante. Along the way, he worries because he has not yet been knighted, but his madness drives him onward. At dusk, he arrives at an inn he imagines to be a castle. There, he dines with two women (whom he sees as ladies) and the innkeeper (whom he takes to be the lord of the castle).
Chapter 3
After dinner, Don Quixote asks the innkeeper to knight him. The innkeeper, for fun, agrees and tells him to keep his armor in the courtyard. Don Quixote complies by keeping the armor in the courtyard, but during the night some muleteers try to use the well where he placed them. Don Quixote prevents them from touching them and argues with them, causing a commotion. To calm the situation, the innkeeper fakes the ceremony of knightly arming right there. Thus, in the middle of the courtyard and in a hurried manner, he knights Don Quixote. Satisfied, Don Quixote leaves the inn at dawn without paying (convinced that castles don't charge knights).
Chapter 4
On his way back to his village, Don Quixote sees a farmer cruelly whipping a shepherd boy named Andrés. Outraged, he orders the farmer to stop the punishment and pay the boy what he owes. The farmer pretends to obey, and Don Quixote leaves, believing he has done justice (unaware that the farmer will resume the beating as soon as he leaves).
Later, Don Quixote encounters some merchants from Toledo and demands that they proclaim Dulcinea del Toboso to be the most beautiful woman in the world. The merchants refuse to make such a claim without seeing her, and one of them mocks him. Don Quixote, enraged, tries to attack them, but Rocinante trips and falls. Taking advantage of the fall, one of the young merchants strikes Don Quixote with his own broken lance, leaving him badly wounded on the ground.
Chapter 5
The merchants continue on their way, leaving Don Quixote beaten and unable to move. Lying on the ground, he recites phrases from his books, half unconscious. Luckily, a neighboring farmer, Pedro Alonso, finds him. The peasant recognizes Don Quixote and, taking pity on him, puts him on his donkey and takes him back to the village.
They arrive at Don Quixote's house at night, where his housekeeper, his niece, the priest, and the barber—all friends of his—are worried about his disappearance. Together they tuck him into bed while Don Quixote raves about enchanters and battles.
Chapter 6
The next day, while Don Quixote is still sleeping, the priest and the barber (friends of the house) decide to inspect his books to find the source of his madness. They conclude that the books of chivalry have damaged his reason, so, with the help of the housekeeper and niece, they conduct a search of the library. They sort through the books: they save a few they consider harmless or valuable, but they burn most of them in the courtyard. Afterward, they block up the library door with bricks, planning to tell Don Quixote that an enchanter has stolen the books and the room.
Chapter 7
When Don Quixote wakes up, he asks for his books. His housekeeper and niece, as agreed with the priest, make him believe that an enchanter named Frestón stole the entire library. Don Quixote takes this as true: now he has a magical enemy to blame.
Soon, Don Quixote plans his second adventure. To this end, he recruits a good-natured peasant neighbor named Sancho Panza as his squire, seducing him with the promise of making him governor of some island they conquer. Sancho, tempted by the idea of improving his fortune, leaves his wife and children and joins Don Quixote. One morning, the two secretly leave the town, Don Quixote on horseback riding Rocinante and Sancho on his donkey, thus beginning their second adventure.
Chapter 8
After a couple of days of travel, Don Quixote and Sancho spot numerous windmills in the distance. Don Quixote, in his overflowing imagination, mistakes them for ferocious giants and charges at them, lance in hand. Despite Sancho's cries warning him that they are windmills, Don Quixote charges at one; the enormous moving blade shatters his lance and knocks him down along with Rocinante. Battered on the ground, Don Quixote attributes the transformation of the giants into windmills to the enchanter Frestón, his enemy, who – according to him – robs him of the glory of victory.
Sancho helps his master to his feet, and they continue on their way. Don Quixote, in pain but unfailing, improvises a new lance from a branch. That night they camp in the open air, and Don Quixote reflects on the adventure while watching the stars.
The next day, they encounter two friars on the road, and behind them, a carriage transporting a Biscayan lady to Seville. Don Quixote, believing the friars to be magicians carrying a princess prisoner in the carriage, knocks one of them down with a lance. The friars flee in terror, and Sancho tries to collect his robes as booty, but some servants beat him. Immediately afterward, Don Quixote confronts the Biscayan squire accompanying the lady. They engage in a fierce sword fight, and just as Don Quixote is preparing to deliver the final blow, the chapter abruptly ends, leaving the battle unfinished.
Chapter 9
The story is suspended in the middle of the fight. The narrator indicates that he found the continuation written in some ancient manuscripts by the Arab historian Cide Hamete Benengeli, which he translated so he could continue recounting Don Quixote's exploits.
Resuming the story: Don Quixote manages to defeat the Biscayan in the duel, partially cutting off one of his ears. He spares his life on the condition that he appear before Dulcinea del Toboso to pay homage to her. After the victory, Don Quixote and Sancho resume their journey.
Shortly after, Don Quixote feels the need to obtain a balm for his wounds. They prepare a concoction that Don Quixote believes to be the legendary "Balsam of Fierabrás." After drinking it, Don Quixote vomits and sweats profusely, convinced he is cured. Sancho tries the concoction and suffers even worse: he spends hours vomiting and cramping, vowing never to take his master's magic remedies again. With this mishap over, they continue their journey.
Chapter 10
Back on the road, Don Quixote and Sancho encounter a group of peaceful goatherds in the mountains. The goatherds share food and wine with them. A grateful Don Quixote delivers an elaborate speech about the Golden Age, idealizing a past of justice and peace. The goatherds listen with respect and some amusement at the strange figure of the gentleman.
That night, the goatherds tell them that the next day there will be a funeral for a shepherd named Grisóstomo, who died of grief over the lack of love of a shepherdess named Marcela. Don Quixote, always willing to get involved, decides to attend the funeral.
At dawn, everyone gathers for the funeral in the countryside. There, several shepherds lament the cruelty of the beautiful Marcela, blaming her for Grisóstomo's death. Suddenly, Marcela appears in person. The young shepherdess vehemently defends her innocence: she declares that she never encouraged the hopes of Grisóstomo or any man, and that her freedom not to love whom she does not want should not be used against her. After delivering an intelligent and proud defense, Marcela heads off into the forest. Don Quixote is impressed and decides to search for her to offer his help, but he cannot find her.
Chapter 11
After the funeral, Don Quixote and Sancho resume their journey. Along the way, Rocinante is lured away by some mares belonging to some Yangüese muleteers camped nearby. The nag tries to join the mares, causing the muleteers to beat him away.
Don Quixote, seeing his horse battered, becomes enraged and attacks the muleteers to avenge the insult. Sancho joins the fray out of loyalty to his master. The result is disastrous: both are knocked down and beaten by the group of muleteers, who leave them battered to the ground.
In pain, Don Quixote and Sancho can barely move. With effort, they remount (Sancho even places Don Quixote on Rocinante as best he can) and slowly ride away from that place. Despite the pain, Don Quixote considers the beating a normal setback in the life of a knight-errant.
Chapter 12
Bruised and hungry, at dusk they arrive at another inn (which Don Quixote insists on seeing as a castle). There, the innkeeper recognizes them from the previous visit and greets them with some suspicion. Don Quixote is accommodated in a shabby bed in the attic, and Sancho near the stables.
That night, a comical mishap occurs. An Asturian girl, Maritornes, who works at the inn, had arranged a love affair with a muleteer staying there. When Maritornes enters the attic in the dark, Don Quixote believes she is a noble lady coming to visit him. He attempts to flirt with her, which provokes the wrath of the muleteer next to him, who, in the darkness, strikes Don Quixote. In the confusion, the innkeeper also goes upstairs, alarmed, and ends up being struck by something while groping.
In the end, Maritornes escapes, the muleteer returns to his mattress, and Don Quixote is left battered, believing he has been the victim of enchantments in that castle. Sancho sleeps, unaware of the fracas. The next morning, without money to pay for their stay, they try to leave discreetly.
Chapter 13
When he tries to leave the inn at dawn without paying, the innkeeper and his servants arrest Sancho. Don Quixote is already mounted outside, convinced that the place is an enchanted castle where no fees are charged. The innkeepers, fed up, grab Sancho and, as punishment, toss him in the air with a blanket (they repeatedly throw him in the air).
Don Quixote watches from outside the corral, unable to help his squire because, according to him, the place is enchanted and he cannot penetrate its walls. After amusing himself with Sancho, the innkeepers release the poor squire. Sancho is left bruised and humiliated by the tossing.
Finally, Don Quixote and a grieving Sancho leave the inn. Sancho tearfully tells him what happened, but Don Quixote, instead of helping him, argues that it was the work of enchanters and that he could not have intervened. Despite everything, they continue on their way in search of new adventures.
Chapter 14
Back in the open field, they see in the distance a great dust cloud raised by two flocks of sheep advancing in opposite directions. Don Quixote immediately imagines that these are two formidable armies approaching to do battle. Excited, he begins to describe to Sancho the supposed knights, chieftains, and squadrons he sees (all a figment of his imagination).
Ignoring Sancho's objections, Don Quixote charges at the "armies." He attacks the flocks, scaring the sheep and killing some. The shepherds, seeing their livestock attacked, hurl stones with their slings at Don Quixote. One stone hits him in the mouth, breaking several of his teeth, and another knocks him off Rocinante.
Sancho runs to help his wounded master. The shepherds gather their sheep and leave, insulting the mad aggressor. Don Quixote, his mouth bloody, laments that the enchanter Frestón has once again played a trick on him by turning the armies into sheep at the last minute. Gathering up pieces of his shattered lance and a fallen tooth, Don Quixote resigns himself and continues the adventure with Sancho.
Chapter 15
Don Quixote and Sancho soon encounter a funeral procession: men dressed in mourning carrying a litter containing a deceased person, accompanied by torches. It is nighttime, and the scene is somber. Don Quixote, far from understanding that it is a funeral, believes he is facing a spell or a procession of ghosts.
Determined to find out, he stands in front of the procession and orders the bearers to stop and explain their destination. The men, who were simply transporting a body to Segovia, are annoyed by the interruption. One of them curtly replies that they are in a hurry.
Don Quixote interprets this as a challenge. He attacks one of the clergymen in the procession and knocks him down. Immediately, the others charge at Don Quixote, beating him with sticks and leaving him on the ground. The alarmed procession continues hastily, leaving Don Quixote battered once more. Sancho helps him, and when Don Quixote regains consciousness, he again attributes the incident to supernatural powers.
Chapter 16
After so many misadventures in a row, Sancho suggests to Don Quixote that it would be prudent to return home or at least rest for a few days. But Don Quixote refuses to abandon his wandering life. He decides to go with Sancho into the Sierra Morena (a remote mountain range), both to hide from possible pursuers (for having freed the galley slaves) and to imitate the knights who performed penance in wild places.
Before entering the mountains, next to a stream, they discover an abandoned suitcase containing money, clothes, and some written papers. Don Quixote suspects it belongs to some adventurous knight who has strayed there.
Already in the harshest part of the Sierra Morena, Don Quixote feels it is the perfect setting for an act of amorous penance (as Amadís and other heroes did) in honor of Dulcinea. He decides to perform extravagant acts of poetic madness there to earn her favor. To communicate these feats to his beloved, he dictates a letter to Sancho addressed to Dulcinea del Toboso.
Don Quixote sends Sancho back to the village with the letter for Dulcinea, taking advantage of the fact that Sancho can also bring him provisions for the return journey. Sancho departs, not without reluctance to leave his master alone. Don Quixote remains isolated in the mountains, engaging in the crazy exercises of a penitent in love.
Chapter 17
Sancho, on his way back, meets the village priest and barber, who had gone out to find Don Quixote. He tells them the news: that Don Quixote is in the mountains doing penance and shows them the letter that was meant for Dulcinea (actually Aldonza Lorenzo). The priest and the barber, worried, decide to intervene. They devise a plan to rescue Don Quixote: they will have one of them disguise themselves to trick him and bring him back home.
Meanwhile, Don Quixote, alone in the mountains, comes across a ragged and deranged man: it's Cardenio, the owner of the suitcase he found. Cardenio, half-mad with grief, recounts fragments of his story: he was a knight betrayed by his friend Don Fernando, who stole his beloved Luscinda from him. Don Quixote listens with interest, but as soon as the stranger mentions something that doesn't fit with his books of chivalry, he interrupts. This enrages the unfortunate man, who in a fit of rage strikes Don Quixote and flees into the woods.
Don Quixote is bruised, but more intrigued than annoyed by the unfinished story. He decides he'll try to help Cardenio later, as he understands that Dorotea (the woman Don Fernando abandoned) must also be around. For now, he continues to wait for Sancho's return.
Chapter 18
The priest and the barber arrive at an inn near the mountains, where they unexpectedly encounter Dorotea, a young woman disguised as a shepherdess. Dorotea turns out to be the deceived fiancée of Don Fernando, the same man who betrayed Cardenio. After hearing her story and seeing her nobility, the priest suggests she participate in the plan to help Don Quixote: Dorotea will pretend to be a princess in distress to lure Don Quixote out of the mountains.
Dorotea accepts. She dresses more elegantly in clothes provided by the priest (perhaps from Cardenio's suitcase), and they rehearse the fictional story: she will be Princess Micomicona, whose kingdom was usurped by a giant, and she will ask Don Quixote to defeat him.
The group (priest, barber—the latter disguised with a fake beard as Dorotea's squire—and Dorotea acting as a princess) enters the mountains and encounters Don Quixote. Dorotea, feigning tears, begs for help from the "valiant knight Don Quixote." She tells him that a giant named Pandafilando has taken over her kingdom. Don Quixote, delighted to have an adventure worthy of his own, promises to help her and defeat the giant. In this way, they convince him to abandon his penance and leave the mountains to accompany the supposed princess to reclaim her kingdom.
Chapter 19
Now reunited with Sancho, who has returned with them, the group heads back to the same inn as before. Along the way, they meet up with Cardenio again, whom they persuade to join them (seeing Dorotea, Cardenio realizes that Don Fernando has also wronged her).
When they arrive at the inn, several things happen at once. Don Fernando and Luscinda (Cardenio's beloved) are staying at the inn, along with some friends. A recently escaped captive from Algiers has also arrived, accompanied by a beautiful Moorish woman named Zoraida.
Dorotea drops her princess pretense upon seeing Don Fernando, and Cardenio recognizes Luscinda. A touching reunion ensues: Luscinda faints upon seeing Cardenio; Don Fernando is astonished to see Dorotea (whom he thought was lost). Finally, Dorotea demands that Don Fernando fulfill his promise of marriage; Luscinda explains that she has always loved Cardenio. Don Fernando, repentant and moved, returns Luscinda to Cardenio and accepts Dorotea as his wife, keeping his word. All those present celebrate the reconciliation.
Meanwhile, the captive tells his story: he is a Spanish soldier who was held prisoner in Algiers and escaped thanks to the help of Zoraida, a Moorish woman who wanted to convert to Christianity. He recounts his adventures and how Zoraida left everything behind to escape with him. Those present are moved by the story, and the priest promises to help the captive and Zoraida integrate into Christian life.
Chapter 20
With these conflicts resolved, the priest and the barber focus on bringing Don Quixote home. They decide to lock Don Quixote in a cage and pretend it's a spell to magically transport him. They build a large wooden cage and place it on an oxcart.
The next morning, while Don Quixote is still asleep, he is placed in the cage. When he awakens, he is led to believe he is enchanted: the priest speaks in a false voice, announcing that a prophecy orders the enchanted knight to be transferred. Don Quixote, believing himself to be under a spell, accepts his fate with dignity.
So, they set out on the return journey to the village with Don Quixote caged in the cart. Sancho accompanies the cart on foot, somewhat confused because his master appears physically normal, but everyone insists he's enchanted.
Chapter 21
During the return journey, a canon from Toledo approaches the procession and strikes up a conversation. He criticizes chivalric novels for their absurdity, while Don Quixote—from his cage—defends them with impassioned arguments. The canon notices the hidalgo's madness, which confuses fiction with reality, and continues on his way, impressed.
Further on, some officers of the Holy Brotherhood catch up with them, searching for the man who had freed the galley slaves. The priest persuades them that the caged man is a poor, harmless madman. Seeing Don Quixote peacefully in the cage, the constables decide to let them go without arrest.
Sancho, for his part, asks the priest and the barber why his master needs to eat and relieve himself if he's enchanted. They convince him that these are illusions of the enchantment. Sancho, though skeptical, accepts their explanation out of loyalty.
Chapter 22
The caravan finally arrives at Don Quixote's village. They decide to "disenchant" him: they free him from the cage before entering the town, telling him that the spell has been broken. Don Quixote regains his freedom, somewhat confused, truly believing that an enchantment had imprisoned him. His mistress and niece welcome him with tears of joy. They lay him down in their home to rest.
Sancho also returns home to his family, happy to be back, although without the riches he had dreamed of. The priest and the barber recommend keeping a close eye on Don Quixote so he doesn't escape again. Although Don Quixote is physically recovering, in his mind he is already planning, after a while, to undertake a third knightly sojourn.
Summary of Don Quixote Part Two
Chapter 1
A few months have passed. Don Quixote is convalescing at home, seemingly at peace. The priest and the barber visit him to see if he has recovered from his madness. Don Quixote speaks sensibly about other topics, but as soon as they mention knight-errantry, he once again becomes excited in his defense of it. His friends realize that he is still obsessed.
Chapter 2
The niece and the housekeeper argue with Don Quixote to dissuade him from going out again. Just then, Sancho Panza arrives to visit him. The women try to send Sancho away, fearing that his presence will incite another adventure, but the priest allows him to enter. Sancho tells Don Quixote that rumors are spreading in the town about his madness and that many are laughing. Don Quixote attributes these rumors to the malice of the enchanters and the ignorance of his neighbors.
Chapter 3
Joining the conversation is Sansón Carrasco, a recently graduated high school student who brings surprising news: a book has been published entitled The Ingenious Gentleman Don Quijote of La Mancha which narrates the first part of his adventures. Samson confirms that in other provinces people read with pleasure the stories of Don Quixote and Sancho. Don Quixote is excited to learn that his name is famous; Samson, with ulterior motives, congratulates him and encourages him to go out again to provide material for a second part.
Chapter 4
Motivated by Samson's words (who secretly plans to defeat him later and return him home), Don Quixote decides to resume his adventures. Sancho is also eager, awaiting the promised island. They prepare to leave in a few days. Don Quixote argues with his niece, who tries to stop him, but he is determined. For his part, Sanson Carrasco secretly plans to disguise himself as a knight-errant later and defeat Don Quixote to force him to return home.
Chapter 5
On the eve of his departure, Sancho talks with his wife Teresa Panza. She, more pragmatic, reproaches him for once again pursuing fantasies. Sancho reassures her by telling her he hopes to make some gain (perhaps the government of the promised island). Teresa finally gives him her blessing, although she remains skeptical about these "islands."
Chapter 6
So, one morning, Don Quixote and Sancho set out on their third outing, this time heading to El Toboso to visit Dulcinea. Don Quixote feels that, before further adventures, he must present himself to his lady. Sancho, although he knows that Dulcinea is actually Aldonza Lorenzo, does not contradict his master.
Chapter 7
At dusk, they arrive near El Toboso. Don Quixote is worried because he doesn't know Dulcinea's (Aldonza's) exact address. Sancho, knowing the truth, is nervous. Don Quixote asks him to go to the town to locate Dulcinea and request an audience. Sancho, in a bind, wanders around El Toboso at night, not knowing who to look for.
Chapter 8
At dawn, Sancho returns to Don Quixote, pretending he hasn't been able to find Dulcinea's house. By chance, three village women riding donkeys pass by. Sancho points them out unexpectedly and claims that one of them is Dulcinea del Toboso with her maidens. Don Quixote sees only three coarse peasant women. Sancho persists in his lie, and Don Quixote believes that an enchantment has transformed Dulcinea into a peasant woman to prevent him from recognizing her beauty. He is deeply distressed, thinking that Dulcinea is under an evil spell.
Chapter 9
After the disagreement with Dulcinea, Don Quixote and Sancho leave El Toboso. Don Quixote, overwhelmed by his mistress's supposed enchantment, promises not to rest until he undoes it. They continue on their way in search of new adventures that might also help Dulcinea.
Chapter 10
A few days into their journey, they come across another knight-errant who calls himself the Knight of the Woods (or the Knight of Mirrors). This knight wears shining armor and is accompanied by a squire with a strange nose (who looks familiar to Sancho). The Knight of the Woods challenges Don Quixote, boasting of having previously defeated a certain Don Quixote of La Mancha. This enrages the real Don Quixote, who agrees to a duel to defend his name.
Chapter 11
The two knights agree to duel at dawn. As they charge with their lances, the younger and stronger Knight of the Forest (it's Sansón Carrasco in disguise) is struck down by Don Quixote's lance before it can strike him. To everyone's surprise, Don Quixote easily wins the fight. The defeated knight, on the ground, is at Don Quixote's mercy and finally reveals his identity: he is Sansón Carrasco. Don Quixote doesn't recognize him (he thinks Samson has been magically transformed into the defeated knight), but Sancho does discover that the rival squire is his neighbor Tomé Cecial with a false nose.
The Knight of the Wood (Samson), humiliated, promises not to oppose Don Quixote again for the time being. Don Quixote rejoices in the victory and believes it to have been providential.
Chapter 12
Don Quixote and Sancho continue their journey after defeating the mysterious knight. Along the way, they meet a kindly gentleman named Don Diego de Miranda (nicknamed the Knight of the Green Coat because of his cloak). He hosts them in his home for a few days, intrigued by Don Quixote's extravagant ideas.
During their stay, Don Diego witnesses Don Quixote's madness, but also a certain wisdom in his words. They engage in conversations about literature and chivalry, where Don Quixote expounds on his theories and Don Diego listens respectfully.
Chapter 13
One day, Don Diego goes on an excursion with Don Quixote and Sancho. Along the way, they come across a wagon carrying caged lions (a gift for the King). Don Quixote, not one to be lazy, stops the wagon and challenges the lions, wanting to prove his courage. Despite the pleas of the driver and Sancho, he insists on facing one of the beasts.
They open a cage: one of the enormous lions pokes its head out, yawns, and meekly decides not to come out. Don Quixote stands firm, waiting for a fight, but the lion simply lies down indifferently. Don Quixote takes this as a sign victoryHe says the lion recognized him and was frightened. He orders it to be recorded that he has defeated the "giant" lion, and from that moment on, he calls himself the Knight of the Lions. The carter continues on his way with the lions intact, and Don Diego is astonished by the sight.
Chapter 14
After the adventure with the lions, Don Diego bids a friendly farewell to Don Quixote, amazed but relieved to return to peace. Don Quixote and Sancho continue on. They arrive at a town where the wedding of Camacho, a wealthy farmer, and Quiteria, a beautiful young woman, is being celebrated.
In the middle of the party, Basilio, a poor former suitor of Quiteria's, appears. He desperately pretends to stab himself with a sword, only to die if he can't marry her. Theatrically dying, he makes his last wish to marry Quiteria. She, moved and still in love with Basilio, agrees in front of everyone. Once they are married by the priest, Basilio reveals that the wound was fake: it was all a trick to win Quiteria's hand. Camacho and the guests are astonished.
Camacho, although furious at first, eventually agrees to let Quiteria go with Basilio, resigning himself to his rival's ingenuity. Don Quixote, who witnesses everything, defends Basilio's actions as those of a true lover and helps calm Camacho's friends to avoid violence. Ultimately, Basilio triumphs, and Camacho continues his lavish banquet without his bride. Don Quixote and Sancho leave after enjoying the meal, happy to see true love triumph.
Chapter 15
After the wedding, Don Quixote and Sancho come across the legendary Cave of Montesinos, about which magical stories are told. Don Quixote decides to descend into the cave tied with a rope to experience it. Sancho and a guide lower him slowly. Inside, Don Quixote remains silent for about an hour.
When they finally bring him up, Don Quixote wakes up as if from a deep sleep, stating that he was three days at the bottom of the cave under enchantment. He recounts seeing wonders: according to him, in the depths he met Montesinos himself (a legendary knight) and Dulcinea del Toboso, who is enchanted in peasant form. He says that Dulcinea asked Sancho to whip himself a certain number of times to break the spell cast over her. Sancho doubts this story (he suspects his master fell asleep), but Don Quixote firmly believes in the reality of this mystical experience.
Chapter 16
On the journey to Barcelona, Don Quixote and Sancho experience minor adventures (such as an encounter with comedians and the bandit Roque Guinart) that do not alter the course of their journey.
Chapter 17
Finally, with Roque's help, they reach the city of Barcelona, seeing the sea for the first time.
Chapter 18
In Barcelona, Don Quixote is received by Don Antonio Moreno, a nobleman who, familiar with his stories, hosts them. For a few days, Don Quixote wanders around the city. Don Antonio, for fun, shows him a supposedly enchanted head that answers questions (in reality, a fake device). Don Quixote asks questions, and the head gives witty answers, leaving him impressed. Don Quixote's fame reaches Barcelona: some treat him kindly, others mock him, but he is happy to see the sea and experience new things.
Chapter 19
After they've been in Barcelona for some time, a mysterious knight, dressed entirely in white, appears on the beach on horseback. He calls himself the Knight of the White Moon. He declares that he's heard of Don Quixote's exploits, but claims that his lady (the Knight of the White Moon's) is even more beautiful than Dulcinea. He challenges Don Quixote to a single duel to settle the matter.
Don Quixote, though tired, does not shy away from the challenge in defense of Dulcinea's honor. Both contenders launch themselves at each other with their lances: the Knight of the White Moon, younger and stronger (none other than Sansón Carrasco on his second attempt), violently knocks Don Quixote down with a single blow. Don Quixote falls defeated.
The victor places his lance on Don Quixote and imposes the condition of the duel: Don Quixote must admit that Dulcinea is not the most beautiful and, above all, retire to his village for a year without exercising chivalry. Dejected and wounded, Don Quixote accepts the condition. The Knight of the White Moon departs after revealing to Sancho that he is actually Samson Carrasco, thus fulfilling his plan to force Don Quixote's retreat.
Chapter 20
Don Quixote is deeply depressed by the defeat. As promised, he lays down his arms for a year and begins the journey back home. Don Antonio and other friends in Barcelona console him as best they can, praising his bravery despite the loss. Sancho tries to cheer him up by suggesting that, upon their return, they could fulfill their dream of becoming shepherds during the year of rest (an idea that Don Quixote had once fancied). With this pastoral plan as imaginary consolation, Don Quixote and Sancho bid farewell to Barcelona and begin the return journey to their village.
Chapter 21
On the way, they pass by the estate of the Duke and Duchess again, those mocking nobles. Don Quixote is the butt of one last joke: the maiden Altisidora pretends to be madly in love with him and then "revives" after a supposed sacrifice by Sancho (another trick played by the dukes). Don Quixote doesn't know what to make of this, but he doesn't dwell on it for long.
Finally, after many days, they see their village. Don Quixote feels joy at returning, mixed with sorrow at returning defeated. Sancho assures him that they can live peacefully as shepherds for a while, to which Don Quixote nods, more encouraged.
Chapter 22
Back in his village, neighbors and relatives welcome Don Quixote with relief. He is physically exhausted. At home, his housekeeper and niece care for him. Don Quixote remains calm for a few days, talking about becoming a shepherd as soon as he recovers. Sancho goes along with it, dreaming up pastoral names for both of them.
But Don Quixote's fate is already sealed. Shortly after arriving, he falls ill with a high fever. Bedridden, he delirious for several days. The priest comes to visit him and care for his soul.
Chapter 23
After a few days, Don Quixote regains lucidity and, surprisingly, his mind has healed. He renounces the books of chivalry: he recognizes that they were fictions that clouded his judgment. He declares: "I am now Alonso Quijano the Good; no longer Don Quixote of La Mancha."
His friends and family are amazed at this return to sanity. Don Quixote asks for a confessor and writes his will. He divides his possessions; he leaves some money to Sancho. Sancho weeps and begs him not to renounce being Don Quixote, for he would prefer more adventures than any inheritance.
Alonso Quijano (Don Quixote) thanks Sancho for his loyalty but remains adamant that his age of chivalry is over. A few days later, at peace with having recovered his sanity, Alonso Quijano dies in his bed, surrounded by his loved ones. His last words ask forgiveness for his past follies and advise his niece not to marry any man fond of books of chivalry.
Thus dies Don Quixote, a sane and Christian. Sancho and the others mourn his loss, while the narrator closes the story by assuring us that there will be no more adventures for the ingenious gentleman of La Mancha.