Cap. 21: El baci-yelmo (the basin-helmet)

• A frequent chivalric theme is the quest, as the search for the Holy Grail.  Can the helmet situation be considered similar to this?
• Pp. 154-156. As footnote number 42 notes, this is a perfect summary of a novel of chivalry, specifically, Tirante el Blanco, mentioned in the scrutiny in the library.
• Pp. 157-158. Again the motif of nobility: what constitutes a person and his/her greatness or nobility? Is it one's birth or blood? Or what? (In conjunction with the idea of one's blood-line, note the many references to being an "old Christian" in the novel.)

Cap. 22: Los galeotes (the galley slaves)

• Who is the most important/significant of the galeotes?  Why?
• How does this episode tie into the novel (e.g., as regards the literary theme)? How might it tie into Cervantes' life?
• Note also the motif of free will (p. 163) and then the slavery/freedom motif (p. 167): which might lead to the question "Is Don Quijote free (or a slave to something)?"

Cap. 23: In Sierra Morena (a mountain range in south central Spain).

• Why do Don Quijote and Sancho enter Sierra Morena?
• P. 170.  The missing/not missing/missing (etc.) ass. Read all of footnote 10 and pp. xx-xxii "Another Case in Point --The Robbery of Sancho's Donkey". The opposing theory: Cervantes forgot to include the actual theft of Sancho's ass at this point in the first edition; then when he (and/or the editor) tried to amend the oversight in subsequent editions the problem merely got worse [some of the confusion will not be as evident in your text since it follows the first edition].
• Why are many characters, such as Cardenio, introduced by means of poetry or songs?
• What name or title is given to Cardenio at the end of the chapter? Why might it be significant?

Cap. 24: Cardenio's story, part one. (Cardenio + Luscinda, Fernando + la labradora)

• Why the interruption in Cardenio's story?
• Note the many loco/cuerdo references here and in subsequent chapters.

Cap. 25-26: Sierra Morena, cont.

• What are some of Don Quijote's reasons/models for doing "penance" here in the Sierra Morena? Does he have some things he should perhaps really be doing penance for?
• P. 196.  Two different documents are inserted on this page.  Why do you think they are included?  Are they literature?
• The poem on pp. 200-201. Is this good poetry? Why or why not?

Cap. 27: La venta, and Sierra Morena, cont.

• The priest and the barber. What is their plan? How and why does their plan change?
• Cardenio's story, part two. Remember the characters: Luscinda, Fernando, Dorotea (the story's not over 'till it's over).
• Does Cardenio have any character flaws or mental/emotional problems?
• Compare/contrast Cardenio and Don Quijote. Consider other ways in which this character and his story fit into the novel.
• Note that this chapter ends part three (of Part I).

Fred Jehle jehle@ipfw.edu
Indiana U.-Purdue U. Fort Wayne
Fort Wayne, IN 46805-1499
URL: http://users.ipfw.edu/jehle/courses/s450/h3-450.htm
Home page http://users.ipfw.edu/jehle/
Works of Cervantes http://users.ipfw.edu/jehle/cervante.htm