Summary
Highlights
The novel introduces Don Quijote, a 50-year-old man obsessed with chivalric novels, who decides to become a knight-errant, naming himself Don Quijote de la Mancha and his horse Rocinante. He embarks on his first adventure, imagining himself a great knight. He attempts to charm two women at an inn, is declared a knight by the innkeeper, and then returns home to find an squire and money. He fights merchants who mock his beloved Dulcinea, resulting in him being wounded. Upon his return, his library of chivalric books is burned by the barber and priest to cure his 'madness'. Don Quijote then finds Sancho Panza, promising him islands as a reward, and Sancho becomes his squire.
Don Quijote and Sancho begin their journey. Don Quijote famously mistakes windmills for giants and attacks them, falling to the ground. Later, they encounter two monks and a group of women. Don Quijote believes the women are being kidnapped and attacks the monks, injuring one of them. He then fights the women's squire. After the fight, Don Quijote sends the squire to Dulcinea with a message. Sancho cures Don Quijote's wounds, and they are offered food and shelter by shepherds. Don Quijote recounts a golden age and listens to a shepherd's tale of a man who died of love for a woman named Marcela.
At the funeral of the man who died for Marcela, verses expressing his love are read. Marcela appears, defending herself against accusations of causing his death, stating she owes no one her affection. Don Quijote supports her. Later, Rocinante chases a mare, leading to Don Quijote and Sancho being beaten by the mare's owners. Don Quijote realizes he should only fight knights and Sancho should fight commoners. They arrive at an inn, which Don Quijote mistakes for a castle. An incident involving an arriero, the innkeeper's daughter, Don Quijote, and Sancho results in a brawl and Don Quijote being injured. He then tries a magical potion, which makes him feel better, but Sancho, upon trying it, becomes ill. Don Quijote refuses to pay the innkeeper because he believes he is in a castle.
Don Quijote mistakes a flock of sheep for two armies and attacks them, getting pelted with stones by the shepherds. Later, they encounter a man on a mule, whose food Sancho steals. Don Quijote demands Sancho help the man up and Sancho introduces Quijote as 'the knight of the sorrowful figure'. They eat the stolen food. That night, strange noises lead Don Quijote to investigate alone, believing he might die. He later retrieves what he believes is the 'Helmet of Mambrino' by attacking a barber, taking his basin. Don Quijote and Sancho then dream of their future chivalric fame. They encounter chained prisoners being escorted, and Don Quijote, believing their imprisonment is unjust, frees them. The ungrateful prisoners stone him and steal Sancho's donkey. Don Quijote consoles Sancho.
They meet Cardenio, who recounts his tragic love story with Lucinda and how Don Fernando betrayed him. Don Quijote gets into an argument with Cardenio, who then leaves. Sancho complains about their misadventures. Don Quijote sends Sancho to Dulcinea with a letter, revealing her true name as Aldonza Lorenzo. Sancho, encountering the priest and barber, realizes he lost the letter and invents a story about his meeting with Dulcinea. Dorotea appears, revealing she was also betrayed by Don Fernando. A plan is conceived for Dorotea to impersonate Princess Micomicona to trick Don Quijote into returning home. Sancho expresses doubts about Dorotea's royal status. Don Quijote is then confined to a cage under the pretense of a magical journey and is taken home. On the way, they meet a canon and a shepherd who tells the story of Eugenio and Leandra. Don Quijote is injured in another fight and decides to return home. At home, his niece and housekeeper tend to him, and Sancho expresses his desire for more adventures.