Don Quijote de La Mancha / Parte 2 / Capítulo 1: Resumen

The Second Part of Don Quixote: Context and Controversy

Introduction to the Second Part

• The speaker notes that the second part of "Don Quixote" begins on page 477, indicating a formal transition in Cervantes' work.

• Cervantes faced competition from an author using the pseudonym Licenciado Alonso Fernández de Avellaneda, who published an unauthorized sequel to "Don Quixote."

The Apocryphal Sequel

• This unauthorized sequel is known as "Quijote de Avellaneda," which sparked various theories about its existence; one prominent theory relates to Cervantes' rivalry with Lope de Vega and Jerónimo de Pasamonte.

• Jerónimo de Pasamonte, a soldier like Cervantes, wrote his memoirs claiming heroism in battle. In response, Cervantes created a character named Ginés de Pasamonte to mock him.

Cervantes’ Response

• It is suggested that Pasamonte wrote the apocryphal sequel out of revenge against Cervantes for this mockery.

• In the prologue of the second part, Cervantes warns readers not to expect any form of vengeance or retaliation against Avellaneda's work.

Narrative Developments

• A character named Jerónimo reads the apocryphal version within the text itself, highlighting its illegitimacy as he encounters Don Alonso.

• The publication of Avellaneda's work pressured Cervantes to complete his own sequel quickly; he concludes with Don Quixote’s death to prevent further unauthorized stories.

Reflections on Sanity and Adventure

Characters’ Interactions Post-Adventures

• After resting from his adventures, Don Quixote does not receive visits from friends who avoid discussing chivalric themes due to their sensitive nature.

• When visited by a barber and a priest later on, they find him seemingly sane and normal despite previous delusions.

Testing Sanity

• To test Don Quixote's mental state, the priest discusses an impending Turkish invasion. Don Quixote responds confidently about how kings should act in such situations.

Storytelling Within Stories

• A barber shares a tale about a licensed man in an asylum who believes he is sane while others think otherwise; this reflects themes of perception versus reality.

Conclusion of Asylum Tale

The Discourse of Don Quijote and the Nature of Chivalry

The Punishment of Sevilla

• A character expresses a desire to punish the city of Sevilla for liberating someone, claiming he will stop it from raining for three years. He dismisses another character's warning about angering Jupiter, asserting his own power as Neptune, the god of water.

The Dismissal of Comparisons

• Another character humorously suggests that comparisons are odious, indicating that he does not see himself as Neptune but rather feels fatigued by trying to correct others' misconceptions about chivalry.

Defense of Chivalric Characters

• Don Quijote passionately defends the existence and significance of various characters from chivalric tales, launching into a detailed discourse filled with names and references from the world of knight-errantry.

Skepticism Towards Chivalric Tales

• A character expresses doubt regarding the existence of the figures mentioned by Don Quijote, labeling them as fables or lies. This skepticism highlights a broader theme regarding belief in chivalric ideals.

Discussion on Giants and Their Existence

• The conversation shifts to discussing giants like Morgante. There is ambiguity surrounding their size and existence; one character questions how giant Morgante could fit inside a house if he were truly gigantic.

Engaging Dialogue on Chivalry