Don Quijote de La Mancha / Parte 2 / Capítulo 70: Resumen

Introduction to Chapter 70 of Don Quijote

Overview of the Episode

• The episode focuses on Chapter 70 of the second part of "Don Quijote," titled after the preceding chapter and dealing with events following a prank played by the Dukes on Don Quijote and Sancho Panza.

• The narrator, Benengeli, an Arab historian, will recount the details surrounding this prank, specifically highlighting Altisidora's funeral.

Setting the Scene

• Sancho Panza and Don Quijote share a room for the night, which makes Sancho uneasy due to his fear of being questioned incessantly by his master.

• Sancho expresses frustration over Altisidora's death, feeling guilty for not paying attention to her affections.

Background on the Prank

Details from Benengeli

• Benengeli explains that Sansón Carrasco could not overcome his initial failure in defeating Don Quijote while disguised as the Knight of Mirrors.

• Through a page carrying a letter from Sancho to Teresa, Carrasco learns about Don Quijote’s whereabouts and visits the Duke's castle where he hears about their plans against Don Quijote.

The Duke's Manipulations

• The Duke informs Carrasco about various pranks played on Don Quijote, including one where Sancho claimed Dulcinea was enchanted and needed whipping for her release.

• After failing to find Don Quijote in Zaragoza, Carrasco eventually encounters him in Barcelona and defeats him.

Execution of the Funeral Prank

Planning by the Duke

• Following Carrasco’s victory over Don Quijote, the Duke orchestrates another prank involving Altisidora’s fake funeral.

• He instructs his men to intercept Don Quijote and Sancho as they attempt to return home.

The Funeral Scene

• Upon waking at dawn in the Duke's castle, both characters are bewildered when Altisidora enters claiming she has died from love for Don Quijote.

Conversations with Altisidora

Insights into Death and Love

• Altisidora humorously describes her experience in hell where devils play with books instead of balls; one book mentioned is "The Second Part of Don Quixote."

Reflections on Identity

• A discussion ensues regarding identity; despite being portrayed as dead or enchanted, both characters express their true feelings towards each other.

Discussion on Garcilazo and Don Quijote

Connection Between Garcilazo's Stanzas and Death

• The speaker questions the relevance of Garcilazo's stanzas to a woman's death, suggesting that inspiration can be drawn from various sources, including theft of ideas.

• The conversation shifts as the Duke and Duchess enter, engaging in lively dialogue with Don Quijote.

Don Quijote's Advice on Altisidora

• The Duchess inquires about Altisidora, to which Don Quijote attributes her problems to idleness; he suggests she needs to find tasks to occupy her mind.

• He emphasizes that busy maidens focus their thoughts on work rather than love affairs.

Personal Reflection on Distraction

• Don Quijote shares a personal anecdote about how digging a well distracts him from thinking about his beloved Teresa.