Don Quixote

by de Cervantes Saavedra, Miguel

• ISBN13: 9780060188702
• ISBN10: 0060188707
• Format: Hardcover
• Copyright: 2010-03-19
• Publisher: HarperCollins Publications
• More Book Details
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Summary

Edith Grossman's definitive English translation of the Spanish masterpiece. Widely regarded as the world's first modern novel, and one of the funniest and most tragic books ever written, Don Quixote chronicles the famous picaresque adventures of the noble knight-errant Don Quixote of La Mancha and his faithful squire, Sancho Panza, as they travel through sixteenth-century Spain. Unless you read Spanish, you've never read Don Quixote. "Though there have been many valuable English translations of Don Quixote, I would commend Edith Grossman's version for the extraordinarily high quality of her prose. The Knight and Sancho are so eloquently rendered by Grossman that the vitality of their characterization is more clearly conveyed than ever before. There is also an astonishing contextualization of Don Quixote and Sancho in Grossman's translation that I believe has not been achieved before. The spiritual atmosphere of a Spain already in steep decline can be felt throughout, thanks to her heightened quality of diction. Grossman might be called the Glenn Gould of translators, because she, too, articulates every note. Reading her amazing mode of finding equivalents in English for Cervantes's darkening vision is an entrance into a further understanding of why this great book contains within itself all the novels that have followed in its sublime wake." From the Introduction by Harold Bloom Miguel de Cervantes was born on September 29, 1547, in Alcala de Henares, Spain. At twenty-three he enlisted in the Spanish militia and in 1571 fought against the Turks in the battle of Lepanto, where a gunshot wound permanently crippled his left hand. He spent four more years at sea and then another five as a slave after being captured by Barbary pirates. Ransomed by his family, he returned to Madrid but his disability hampered him; it was in debtor's prison that he began to write Don Quixote. Cervantes wrote many other works, including poems and plays, but he remains best known as the author of Don Quixote. He died on April 23, 1616.

Author Biography

Miguel De Cervantes was born on September 29, 1547, in Alcala de Henares, Spain. At twenty-three he enlisted in the Spanish militia and in 1571 fought against the Turks in the battle of Lepanto, where a gunshot wound permanently crippled his left hand. He spent four more years at sea and then another five as a slave after being captured by Barbary pirates. Ransomed by his family, he returned to Madrid but his disability hampered him; it was in debtor's prison that he began to write Don Quixote. Cervantes wrote many other works, including poems and plays, but he remains best known as the author of Don Quixote. He died on April 23, 1616. Edith Grossman is the award-winning translator of major works by many of Latin America's most important writers. Born in Philadelphia, she attended the University of Pennsylvania and the University of California at Berkeley before receiving her Ph.D. from New York University. She lives in New York City.

Table of Contents

Translator's Note to the Reader	xvii
Introduction: Don Quixote, Sancho Panza, and Miguel de Cervantes Saavedra, by Harold Bloom	xxi
FIRST PART OF THE INGENIOUS GENTLEMAN DON QUIXOTE OF LA MANCHA
Prologue	3	(8)
To the Book of Don Quixote of La Mancha	11	(8)
Part One of the Ingenious Gentleman Don Quixore of La Mancha	19	(1)
CHAPTER I	19	(5)
Which describes the condition and profession of the famous gentleman Don Quixote of La Mancha
CHAPTER II	24	(5)
Which tells of the first sally that the ingenious Don Quixote made from his native land
CHAPTER III	29	(6)
Which recounts the amusing manner in which Don Quixote was dubbed a knight
CHAPTER IV	35	(6)
Concerning what happened to our knight when he left the inn
CHAPTER V	41	(4)
In which the account of our knight's misfortune continues
CHAPTER VI	45	(8)
Reguarding the beguiling and careful examination carried out by the priest and the barber of the library of our ingenious gentlemen
CHAPTER VII	53	(5)
Regarding the second sally of our good knight Don Quixote of La Mancha
CHAPTER VIII	58	(7)
RegardIng the good fortune of the valorous Don Quixote in the fearful and never adventure of the windmills along with other events worthy of joyful remembrance
PART TWO OF THE INGENIOUS GENTLEMAN DON QUIXOTE OF LA MANCHA
CHAPTER IX	65	(5)
ln which the stupendous battle between the galla Basque and the valiant Manchegan is concluded and comes to an end
CHAPTER X	70	(5)
Concerning what further befell Don Quixote with the Basque and the danger in which he found himself with a band of Galicians from Yanguas
CHAPTER XI	75	(6)
Regarding what befell Don Quixote with some goatherds
CHAPTER XII	81	(7)
Regarding what a goatherd recounted to those who were with Don Quixote
CHAPTER XIII	88	(6)
In which the tale of the shepherdess Marcela is and other events are related
CHAPTER XIV	94	(8)
ln which are found the desperate verses of the deceased shepherd along with other unexpected occurrences
PART THREE OF THE INGENIOUS GENTLEMAN DON QUIXOTE OF LA MANCHA
CHAPTER XV	102	(7)
In which is recounted the unfortunate adventure that Don Quixote happened upon when he happened upon some heartless Yanguesans
CHAPTER XVI	109	(7)
Regarding what befell the ingenious gentleman in the inn that he imagined to be a castle
CHAPTER XVII	116	(8)
Which continues the account of the innumerable difficulties that the brave Don Quixote and his good squire, Sancho Panza, experienced in the inn that, to his misfortune, he thought was a castle
CHAPTER XVIII	124	(10)
Which relates the words that passed between Sancho Panza and his master, Don Quixote, and other adventures that deserve to be recounted
CHAPTER XIX	134	(7)
Regarding the discerning words that Sancho exchanged with his master, and the adventure he had with a dead body, as well as other famous events
CHAPTER XX	141	(11)
Regarding the most incomparable and singular adventure ever concluded with less danger by a famous knight, and which was concluded by the valiant Don Quixote of La Mancha
CHAPTER XXI	152	(11)
Which relates the high adventure and rich prize of the helmet of Mambrino, as well as other things that befell our invincible knight
CHAPTER XXII	163	(10)
Regarding the liberty that Don Quixote gave to many unfortunate men who, against their wills, were being taken where they did not wish to go
CHAPTER XXIII	173	(9)
Regarding what befell the famous Don Quixote in the Sierra Morena, which was one of the strangest adventures recounted in this true history
CHAPTER XXIV	182	(8)
In which the adventure of the Sierra Morena continues
CHAPTER XXV	190	(15)
Which tells of the strange events that befell the valiant knight of La Mancha In the Sierra Morena, and of his imitation of the penance of Beltenebros
CHAPTER XXVI	205	(7)
In which the elegant deeds performed by an enamored Don Quixote In the Sierra Morena continue
CHAPTER XXVII	212	(15)
Concerning how the priest and the barber carried out their plan, along with other matters worthy of being recounted in this great history
PART FOUR OF THE INGENIOUS GENTLEMAN DON QUIXOTE OF LA MANCHA
CHAPTER XXVIII	227	(12)
Which recounts the novel and agreeable adventure that befell the priest and the barber in the SierraMorena
CHAPTER XXIX	239	(10)
Which recounts the amusing artifice and arrangement that was devised for freeing our enamored knight from the harsh penance he had Imposed on himself
CHAPTER XXX	249	(9)
Which recounts the good judgment of the beautiful Dorotea, along with other highly diverting and amusing matters
CHAPTER XXXI	258	(8)
Regarding the delectable words that passed between Don Quixote and Sancho Panza, his squire, as well as other events
CHAPTER XXXII	266	(6)
Which recounts what occurred in the Inn to the companions of Don Quixote
CHAPTER XXXIII	272	(17)
Which recounts the novel of The Man Who Was Recklessly Curious
CHAPTER XXXIV	289	(16)
In which the novel of The Man Who Was Recklessly Curious continues
CHAPTER XXXV	305	(8)
In which the novel of The Man Who Was Recklessly Curious is concluded
CHAPTER XXXVI	313	(8)
Which recounts the fierce and uncommon battle that Don Quixote had with some shins of red wine, along with other unusual events that occurred in the Inn
CHAPTER XXXVII	321	(9)
In which the history of the famous Princess Micomicona continues, along with other diverting adventures
CHAPTER XXXVIII	330	(4)
Which tells of the curious discourse on arms and letters given by Don Quixote
CHAPTER XXXIX	334	(7)
In which the captive recounts his life and adventures
CHAPTER XL	341	(11)
In which the history of the captive continues
CHAPTER XLI	352
In which the captive continues his tale
CHAPTER XLII	300	(74)
Which recounts further events at the Inn as well as many other things worth knowing
CHAPTER XLIII	374	(9)
Which recounts the pleasing tale of the muledriver's boy, along with other strange events that occurred at the Inn
CHAPTER XLIV	383	(8)
In which the remarkable events at the Inn continue
CHAPTER XLV	391	(7)
In which questions regarding the helmet of Mambrino and the packsaddle are finally resolved, as well as other entirely true adventures
CHAPTER XLVI	398	(7)
Regarding the notable adventure of the officers of the Holy Brotherhood, and the great ferocity of our good knight Don Quixote
CHAPTER XLVII	405	(9)
Regarding the strange manner in which Don Quixote of La Mancha was enchanted, and other notable events
CHAPTER XLVIII	414	(7)
In which the canon continues to discuss books of chivalry, as well as other matters worthy of his ingenuity
CHAPTER XLIX	421	(7)
Which recounts the clever conversation that Sancho Panza had with his master, Don Quixote
CHAPTER L	428	(5)
Regarding the astute arguments that Don Quixote had with the canon, as well as other matters
CHAPTER LI	433	(5)
Which recounts what the goatherd told to all those who were taking Don Quixotehome
CHAPTER LII	438	(13)
Regarding the quarrel that Don Quixote had with the goatherd, as well as the strange adventure of the penitents, which he brought to a successful conclusion by the sweat of his brow
SECOND PART OF THE INGENIOUS GENTLEMAN DON QUIXOTE OF LA MANCHA
Dedication	451	(4)
Prologue to the Reader	455	(4)
CHAPTER I	459	(10)
Regarding what transpired when the priest and the barber discussed his illness with Don Quixote
CHAPTER II	469	(4)
Which deals with the notable dispute that Sancho Panza had with Don Quixote's niece and housekeeper, as well as other amusing topics
CHAPTER III	473	(7)
Regarding the comical discussion held by Don Quixote, Sancho Panza, and Bachelor Sansón Carrasco
CHAPTER IV	480	(5)
In which Sancho Panza satisfies Bachelor Sansón Carrasco with regard to his doubts and questions, with other events worthy of being known and recounted
CHAPTER V	485	(6)
Concerning the clever and amusing talk that passed between Sancho Panza and his wife, Teresa Panza, and other events worthy of happy memory
CHAPTER VI	491	(5)
Regarding what transpired between Don Quixote and his niece and housekeeper, which is one of the most important chapters in the entire history
CHAPTER VII	496	(6)
Regarding the conversation that Don Quixote had with his squire, as well as other exceptionally famous events
CHAPTER viii	502	(7)
Which recounts what befell Don Quixote as he was going to see his lady Dulcinea of To boso
CHAPTER IX	509	(4)
Which recounts what wIll soon be seen
CHAPTER X	513	(8)
Which recounts Sancho's ingenuity in enchanting the lady Dulcinea, and other events as ridiculous as they are true
CHAPTER XI	521	(5)
Regarding the strange adventure that befell the valiant Don Quixote with the cart or wagon of The Assembly of Death
CHAPTER XII	526	(7)
Regarding the strange adventure that befell the valiant Don Quixote and the courageous Knight of the Mirrors
CHAPTER XIII	533	(5)
In which the adventure of the Knight of the Wood continues, along with the perceptive, unprecedented, and amiable conversation between the two squires
CHAPTER XIV	538	(10)
In which the adventure of the Knight of the Wood continues
CHAPTER XV	548	(2)
Which recounts and relates the Identity of the Knight of the Mirrors and his squire
CHAPTER XVI	550	(8)
Regarding what befell Don Quixote with a prudent knight of La Mancha
CHAPTER XVII	558	(9)
In which the heights and extremes to which the remarkable courage of Don Quixote could and did go is revealed, along with the happily concluded adventure of the lions
CHAPTER XVIII	567	(9)
Regarding what befell Don Quixote In the castle or house of the Knight of the Green Coat, along with other bizarre matters
CHAPTER XIX	576	(6)
Which recounts the adventure of the enamored shepherd, and other truly pleasing matters
CHAPTER XX	582	(9)
Which recounts the wedding of rich Camacho, as well as what befell poor Basilio
CHAPTER XXI	591	(6)
Which continues the account of the wedding of Camacho, along with other agreeable events
CHAPTER XXII	597	(7)
Which recounts the great adventure of the Cave of Montesinos that lies in the heart of La Mancha, which was successfully concluded by the valiant Don Quixote of to Mancha
CHAPTER XXIII	604	(10)
Regarding the remarkable things that the great Don Quixote said he saw in the depths of the Cave of Montesinos, so impossible and extraordinary that this adventure has been considered apocryphal
CHAPTER XXIV	614	(6)
In which a thousand trifles are recounted, as Irrelevant as they are necessary to a true understanding of this great history
CHAPTER XXV	620	(8)
In which note is made of the braying adventure and the diverting adventure of the puppet master, along with the memorable divinations of the soothsaying monkey
CHAPTER XXVI	628	(8)
In which the diverting adventure of the puppet master continues, along with other things that are really very worthwhile
CHAPTER XXVII	636	(6)
In which the Identities of Master Pedro and his monkey are revealed, as well as the unhappy outcome of the braying adventure, which Don Quixote did not conclude as he had wished and intended
CHAPTER XXVIII	642	(5)
Regarding matters that Benengeli says will be known to the reader if he reads with attention
CHAPTER XXIX	647	(6)
Regarding the famous adventure of the enchanted boat
CHAPTER XXX	653	(4)
Regarding what befell Don Quixote with a beautiful huntress
CHAPTER XXXI	657	(8)
Which deals with many great things
CHAPTER XXXII	665	(12)
Regarding the response that Don Quixote gave to his rebuker, along with other events both grave and comical
CHAPTER XXXIII	677	(6)
Regarding the delightful conversation that the duchess and her ladies had with Sancho Panza, one that is worthy of being read and remembered
CHAPTER XXXIV	683	(7)
Which recounts the in formation that was received regarding how the peerless Dulcinea of Tobosowas to be disenchanted, which is one of the most famous adventures in this book
CHAPTER XXXV	690	(7)
In which the in formation that Don Quixote received regarding the disenchantment of Dulcinea continues, along with other remarkable events
CHAPTER XXXVI	697	(5)
Which recounts the strange and unimaginable adventure of the Dolorous Duenna, also known as the Countess Trifaldi, as well as a letter that Sancho Panza wrote to his wi f e, Teresa Panza
CHAPTER XXXVII	702	(2)
In which the famous adventure of the Dolorous Duenna continues
CHAPTER XXXVIII	704	(6)
Which recounts the tale of misfortune told by the Dolorous Duenna
CHAPTER XXXIX	710	(3)
In which the Countess Trifaldi continues her stupendous and memorable history
CHAPTER XL	713	(5)
Regarding platters that concern and pertain to this adventure and this memorable history
CHAPTER XLI	718	(9)
Regarding the arrival of Clavileño, and the conclusion of this lengthy adventure
CHAPTER XLII	727	(5)
Regarding the advice Don Quixote gave to Sancho Panza before he went to govern the insula, along with other matters of consequence
CHAPTER XLIII	732	(5)
Regarding the second set of precepts that Don Quixote gave to Sancho Panza
CHAPTER XLIV	737	(9)
How Sancho Panza was taken to his governorship, and the strange adventure that befell Don Quixote in the castle
CHAPTER XLV	746	(7)
Regarding how the great Sancho Panza took possession of his insula, and the manner in which he began to govern
CHAPTER XLVI	753	(4)
Regarding the dreadful belline and feline fright received by Don Quixote in the course of his wooing by the enamored Altisidora
CHAPTER XLVII	757	(8)
In which the account of how Sancho Panza behaved in his governorship continues
CHAPTER XLVIII	765	(7)
Regarding what transpired between Don Quixote and Doña Rodriguez, duenna to the duchess, as well as other events worthy of being recorded and remembered forever
CHAPTER XLIX	772	(10)
Regarding what befell Sancho Panza as he patrolled his insula
CHAPTER L	782	(8)
Which declares the identities of the enchanters and tormentors who beat the duenna and pinched and scratched Don Quixote, and recounts what befell the page who carried the letter to Teresa Sancha, the wi f e of Sancho Panza
CHAPTER LI	790	(8)
Regarding the progress of Sancho Panza's governorship, and other matters of comparable interest
CHAPTER LII	798	(6)
Which recounts the adventure of the second Dolorous, or Anguished, Duenna, also called Dona Rodriguez
CHAPTER LIII	804	(5)
Regarding the troubled end and conclusion of the governorship of Sancho Panza
CHAPTER LIV	809	(8)
Which deals with matters related to this history and to no other
CHAPTER LV	817	(6)
Regarding certain things that befell Sancho on the road, and others that are really quite remarkable
CHAPTER LVI	823	(5)
Regarding the extraordinary and unprecedented battle that Don Quixote of La Mancha had with the footman Tosilos in defense of the daughter of the duenna Doña Rodriguez
CHAPTER LVII	828	(4)
Which recounts how Don Quixote took his leave of the duke, and what befell him with the clever and bold Altisidora, the duchess's maiden.
CHAPTER LVIII	832	(10)
Which recounts how so many adventures rained down on Don Quixote that there was hardly room for all of them
CHAPTER LIX	842	(7)
Which recounts an extraordinary Incident that befell Don Quixote and can be considered an adventure
CHAPTER LX	849	(12)
Concerning what befell Don Quixote on his way to Barcelona
CHAPTER LXI	861	(3)
Regarding what befell Don Quixote when he entered Barcelona, along with other matters that have more truth in them than wit
CHAPTER LXII	864	(11)
Which relates the adventure of the enchanted head, as well as other foolishness that must be recounted
CHAPTER LXIII	875	(9)
Regarding the evil that befell Sancho Panza on his visit to the galleys, and the remarkable adventure of the beautiful Morisca
CHAPTER LXIV	884	(4)
Which deals with the adventure that caused Don Quixote more sorrow than any others that had befallen him so far
CHAPTER LXV	888	(5)
Which reveals the identity of the Knight of the White Moon, and recounts the release of Don Gregorio, as well as other matters
CHAPTER LXVI	893	(5)
Which recounts what wi11 be seen by whoever reads it, or heard by whoever listens to it being read
CHAPTER LXVII	898	(4)
Regarding the decision Don Quixote made to become a shepherd and lead a pastoral life until the year of his promise had passed, along with other incidents that are truly pleasurable and entertaining
CHAPTER LXVIII	902	(5)
Regarding the porcine adventure that befell Don Quixote
CHAPTER LXIX	907	(5)
Concerning the strangest and most remarkable event to befall Don Quixote in the entire course of this great history
CHAPTER LXX	912	(7)
Which follows Chapter LXIX, and deals with matters necessary to the clarity of this history
CHAPTER LXXI	919	(5)
What befell Don Quixote and his squire, Sancho, as they were traveling to their village
CHAPTER LXXII	924	(5)
Concerning how Don Quixote and Sancho arrived in their village
CHAPTER LXXIII	929	(5)
Regarding the omens Don Quixote encountered as he entered his village, along with other events that adorn and lend credit to this great history
CHAPTER LXXIV	934
Which deals with how Don Quixote f ell ill, and the wi11 he made, and his death

Excerpts

Don Quixote

Part One of the Ingenious GentlemanDon Quixote of La Mancha

Chapter One

Which describes the condition and profession of the famous gentleman Don Quixote of La Mancha

Somewhere in La Mancha, in a place whose name I do not care to remember, a gentleman lived not long ago, one of those who has a lance and ancient shield on a shelf and keeps a skinny nag and a greyhound for racing. An occasional stew, beef more often than lamb, hash most nights, eggs and abstinence on Saturdays, lentils on Fridays, sometimes squab as a treat on Sundays -- these consumed three-fourths of his income. The rest went for a light woolen tunic and velvet breeches and hose of the same material for feast days, while weekdays were honored with dun-colored coarse cloth. He had a housekeeper past forty, a niece not yet twenty, and a man-of-all-work who did everything from saddling the horse to pruning the trees. Our gentleman was approximately fifty years old; his complexion was weathered, his flesh scrawny, his face gaunt, and he was a very early riser and a great lover of the hunt. Some claim that his family name was Quixada, or Quexada, for there is a certain amount of disagreement among the authors who write of this matter, although reliable conjecture seems to indicate that his name was Quexana. But this does not matter very much to our story; in its telling there is absolutely no deviation from the truth.

And so, let it be said that this aforementioned gentleman spent his times of leisure -- which meant most of the year -- reading books of chivalry with so much devotion and enthusiasm that he forgot almost completely about the hunt and even about the administration of his estate; and in his rash curiosity and folly he went so far as to sell acres of arable land in order to buy books of chivalry to read, and he brought as many of them as he could into his house; and he thought none was as fine as those composed by the worthy Feliciano de Silva, because the clarity of his prose and complexity of his language seemed to him more valuable than pearls, in particular when he read the declarations and missives of love, where he would often find written: The reason for the unreason to which my reason turns so weakens my reason that with reason I complain of thy beauty. And also when he read: ... the heavens on high divinely heighten thy divinity with the stars and make thee deserving of the deserts thy greatness deserves.

With these words and phrases the poor gentleman lost his mind, and he spent sleepless nights trying to understand them and extract their meaning, which Aristotle himself, if he came back to life for only that purpose, would not have been able to decipher or understand. Our gentleman was not very happy with the wounds that Don Belianís gave and received, because he imagined that no matter how great the physicians and surgeons who cured him, he would still have his face and entire body covered with scars and marks. But, even so, he praised the author for having concluded his book with the promise of unending adventure, and he often felt the desire to take up his pen and give it the conclusion promised there; and no doubt he would have done so, and even published it, if other greater and more persistent thoughts had not prevented him from doing so. He often had discussions with the village priest -- who was a learned man, a graduate of Sigüenza -- regarding who had been the greater knight, Palmerín of England or Amadís of Gaul; but Master Nicolás, the village barber, said that none was the equal of the Knight of Phoebus, and if any could be compared to him, it was Don Galaor, the brother of Amadís of Gaul, because he was moderate in everything: a knight who was not affected, not as weepy as his brother, and incomparable in questions of courage.

In short, our gentleman became so caught up in reading that he spent his nights reading from dusk till dawn and his days reading from sunrise to sunset, and so with too little sleep and too much reading his brains dried up, causing him to lose his mind. His fantasy filled with everything he had read in his books, enchantments as well as combats, battles, challenges, wounds, courtings, loves, torments, and other impossible foolishness, and he became so convinced in his imagination of the truth of all the countless grandiloquent and false inventions he read that for him no history in the world was truer. He would say that El Cid Ruy Díaz4 had been a very good knight but could not compare to Amadís, the Knight of the Blazing Sword, who with a single backstroke cut two ferocious and colossal giants in half. He was fonder of Bernardo del Carpio because at Roncesvalles he had killed the enchanted Roland by availing himself of the tactic of Hercules when he crushed Antaeus, the son of Earth, in his arms. He spoke highly of the giant Morgante because, although he belonged to the race of giants, all of them haughty and lacking in courtesy, he alone was amiable and well-behaved. But, more than any of the others, he admired Reinaldos de Montalbán, above all when he saw him emerge from his castle and rob anyone he met, and when he crossed the sea and stole the idol of Mohammed made all of gold, as recounted in his history. He would have traded his housekeeper, and even his niece, for the chance to strike a blow at the traitor Guenelon.

The truth is that when his mind was completely gone, he had the strangest thought any lunatic in the world ever had, which was that it seemed reasonable and necessary to him, both for the sake of his honor and as a service to the nation ...

Don Quixote. Copyright © by Miguel Cervantes. Reprinted by permission of HarperCollins Publishers, Inc. All rights reserved. Available now wherever books are sold.

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Excerpted from Don Quixote by Miguel de Cervantes Saavedra
All rights reserved by the original copyright owners. Excerpts are provided for display purposes only and may not be reproduced, reprinted or distributed without the written permission of the publisher.