Inconsistency in Don Quixote? -- Mimetic Theory and Literary Study

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Date Posted: 16:20:34 01/23/08 Wed
Author: Shannon
Subject: Inconsistency in Don Quixote?

In Chapter 25 of Don Quixote, Sancho continuously quesitons his master's seemingly feighned madness over Dulcinea, claiming "it's all make-believe, a fake and a sham". He seems confused by the layers of imitation or as he calls it "make-believe", demanding that if it is all a game, why not just pretend the actual acts of madness as well. Don Quixote protests that this would be contrary to the rules of chivalry.
Also, at one point Sancho questions Don Quixote on Dulcinea herself; the Don admitts that she is to him what he desires her to be: "And so it is enough for me to be convinvced that the good Aldonza Lorenza is beautiful and virtuous..." As he is conscious of his imitation of Amadis, so he is conscious that his idea of Dulcinea is an imitation of maidens in chivalric tales. Though she is a sort of creation of his imagination, he again insists on consistency within his imitation. When he compares the madness of Orlando and Amadis, he rejects the former as predicated on the maiden's betrayal, even the imitation of which reaction, the Don claims, would be contrary to the "true" character of Dulcinea.

Does Sancho here voice one reading of the text, one which denies imitation as imbedded in human nature and thus views the Don's actions as a ridiculous game? Or is Cervantes illuminating a problem with the model Don Quixote chose, on which is so far outside his world, as another student has noted?

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Replies:

Inconsistency in Sancho?? -- JPJ II, 20:57:46 01/27/08 Sun
Re: Inconsistency in Don Quixote? -- Erin Risch, 06:40:54 01/28/08 Mon