Summary
This foundational chapter reveals the origins and intentions behind Don Quixote through Cervantes' preface and introductory materials. Cervantes describes his uncertainty about how to present his work, feeling inadequate compared to scholarly books filled with classical references and elaborate annotations. A friend advises him that his story doesn't need such pretensions—it simply aims to destroy the harmful influence of chivalry romances through honest, clear storytelling. The chapter includes various mock-heroic poems praising Don Quixote and Sancho Panza, written in the style of the very romances Cervantes seeks to parody. We also learn about Cervantes' own remarkable life: his military service, capture by pirates, years of slavery in Algiers, and struggles as a writer. His biography reveals a man who understood both heroism and hardship firsthand, giving weight to his critique of false romantic ideals. The chapter establishes that Don Quixote isn't meant to be a complex allegory but rather a straightforward attack on books that filled readers' heads with impossible fantasies. Cervantes positions himself as a stepfather rather than father to his creation, suggesting the book emerged naturally from his observations of life rather than from grand literary ambition. This humility and authenticity would become the work's greatest strengths.
Coming Up in Chapter 21
The story proper begins as we meet the gentleman of La Mancha whose mind has been addled by too much reading of chivalric romances, setting him on a path that will change literature forever.
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An excerpt from the original text.(~500 words)
OF WHAT PASSED BETWEEN DON QUIXOTE AND HIS SQUIRE SANCHO ON THE WAY TO THEIR VILLAGE CHAPTER LXXII OF HOW DON QUIXOTE AND SANCHO REACHED THEIR VILLAGE CHAPTER LXXIII OF THE OMENS DON QUIXOTE HAD AS HE ENTERED HIS OWN VILLAGE, AND OTHER INCIDENTS THAT EMBELLISH AND GIVE A COLOUR TO THIS GREAT HISTORY CHAPTER LXXIV OF HOW DON QUIXOTE FELL SICK, AND OF THE WILL HE MADE, AND HOW HE DIED INTRODUCTION PREFARATORY It was with considerable reluctance that I abandoned in favour of the present undertaking what had long been a favourite project: that of a new edition of Shelton’s “Don Quixote,” which has now become a somewhat scarce book. There are some—and I confess myself to be one—for whom Shelton’s racy old version, with all its defects, has a charm that no modern translation, however skilful or correct, could possess. Shelton had the inestimable advantage of belonging to the same generation as Cervantes; “Don Quixote” had to him a vitality that only a contemporary could feel; it cost him no dramatic effort to see things as Cervantes saw them; there is no anachronism in his language; he put the Spanish of Cervantes into the English of Shakespeare. Shakespeare himself most likely knew the book; he may have carried it home with him in his saddle-bags to Stratford on one of his last journeys, and under the mulberry tree at New Place joined hands with a kindred genius in its pages. But it was soon made plain to me that to hope for even a moderate popularity for Shelton was vain. His fine old crusted English would, no doubt, be relished by a minority, but it would be only by a minority. His warmest admirers must admit that he is not a satisfactory representative of Cervantes. His translation of the First Part was very hastily made and was never revised by him. It has all the freshness and vigour, but also a full measure of the faults, of a hasty production. It is often very literal—barbarously literal frequently—but just as often very loose. He had evidently a good colloquial knowledge of Spanish, but apparently not much more. It never seems to occur to him that the same translation of a word will not suit in every case. It is often said that we have no satisfactory translation of “Don Quixote.” To those who are familiar with the original, it savours of truism or platitude to say so, for in truth there can be no thoroughly satisfactory translation of “Don Quixote” into English or any other language. It is not that the Spanish idioms are so utterly unmanageable, or that the untranslatable words, numerous enough no doubt, are so superabundant, but rather that the sententious terseness to which the humour of the book owes its flavour is peculiar to Spanish, and can at best be only distantly imitated in any other tongue. The history of our English translations of “Don Quixote” is instructive. Shelton’s, the first in any language,...
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Intelligence Amplifier™ Analysis
The Road of Honest Intention
Honest intention and admitted limitations create more lasting impact than impressive credentials and perfect presentations.
Why This Matters
Connect literature to life
This chapter teaches how to recognize when someone (including yourself) is performing expertise versus genuinely trying to help.
Practice This Today
This week, notice when you're tempted to use complicated words or add unnecessary details to seem more credible—then try the simple version instead.
Now let's explore the literary elements.
Terms to Know
Chivalry Romance
Popular books in Cervantes' time about perfect knights who rescued damsels and fought impossible battles. These stories were pure fantasy but many readers took them seriously as guides for how to live.
Modern Usage:
Like how some people model their lives after unrealistic social media posts or get relationship advice from romantic comedies
Parody
A form of writing that imitates and makes fun of another style or genre. Cervantes uses parody to mock the over-the-top language and impossible situations in knight stories.
Modern Usage:
Saturday Night Live sketches that make fun of politicians or movies like 'Scary Movie' that parody horror films
Mock-heroic
A literary technique that treats ordinary or ridiculous subjects with the grand language usually reserved for epic heroes. It creates humor by highlighting the gap between style and content.
Modern Usage:
Like writing a dramatic news report about someone's quest to find the perfect parking spot at the mall
Allegory
A story where characters and events represent deeper meanings or moral lessons. Cervantes specifically says his book is NOT meant to be a complex allegory - just an entertaining attack on bad books.
Modern Usage:
When people over-analyze movies looking for hidden meanings that the director never intended
Classical References
Mentions of ancient Greek and Roman authors, myths, and stories that scholarly writers used to show off their education. Cervantes felt pressure to include these but chose simplicity instead.
Modern Usage:
Like feeling you need to drop fancy vocabulary or quote famous people to sound smart in a work presentation
Preface
An introduction where the author explains their intentions and addresses the reader directly. Cervantes uses his preface to set expectations and defend his straightforward approach.
Modern Usage:
Like a YouTuber explaining what their channel is about before jumping into their content
Characters in This Chapter
Cervantes
Author/narrator
Presents himself as humble and uncertain about his work, claiming he's just the 'stepfather' of the story. He reveals his own struggles as a writer and his desire to combat harmful romantic fantasies through honest storytelling.
Modern Equivalent:
The self-deprecating comedian who uses humor to make serious points
The Friend
Advisor/mentor
Appears in the preface to counsel Cervantes about how to present his book. Advises him to forget about scholarly pretensions and focus on his simple goal of destroying the influence of chivalry books.
Modern Equivalent:
The friend who tells you to stop overthinking and just be yourself
Don Quixote
Protagonist (in the poems)
Praised in mock-heroic poems as a great knight and lover, which ironically highlights how he'll be portrayed as delusional in the actual story. The exaggerated praise sets up the contrast with reality.
Modern Equivalent:
The person everyone hypes up on social media but who's actually struggling in real life
Sancho Panza
Squire (in the poems)
Celebrated in verse as the most faithful squire ever, though the poems hint at his simple, practical nature that will contrast with his master's fantasies.
Modern Equivalent:
The loyal friend who goes along with your crazy schemes even when they know better
Key Quotes & Analysis
"I would have it appear plain and simple, without any intricacy of language or confusion of plot"
Context: Explaining his writing philosophy in the preface
This reveals Cervantes' commitment to clear, honest storytelling over fancy literary tricks. He's choosing accessibility over showing off, which was revolutionary for his time.
In Today's Words:
I want this to be straightforward and easy to follow, not some confusing mess
"My desire has been no other than to deliver over to the detestation and scorn of mankind the false and foolish tales of the books of chivalry"
Context: Stating his main purpose for writing Don Quixote
This is Cervantes' mission statement - he's not trying to create high art, just to show people how ridiculous and harmful these fantasy books are. It's social criticism disguised as entertainment.
In Today's Words:
I just want people to see how stupid and dangerous these fantasy knight stories really are
"I am the stepfather of Don Quixote"
Context: Describing his relationship to his own creation
By calling himself a stepfather rather than father, Cervantes suggests the story came naturally from life rather than forced literary ambition. This humility actually makes his critique more powerful.
In Today's Words:
I didn't force this story - it just kind of happened through me
Thematic Threads
Class
In This Chapter
Cervantes positions himself as serving ordinary readers rather than impressing scholarly elites
Development
Introduced here
In Your Life:
You might feel pressure to sound smarter or more sophisticated than you are in professional settings.
Identity
In This Chapter
Cervantes calls himself 'stepfather' to his work, accepting a humble role rather than claiming grand authorship
Development
Introduced here
In Your Life:
You might struggle with taking credit for achievements or feel like an imposter in your accomplishments.
Social Expectations
In This Chapter
The pressure to include scholarly references and elaborate presentations that Cervantes consciously rejects
Development
Introduced here
In Your Life:
You might feel expected to follow certain formats or styles that don't match your authentic voice.
Personal Growth
In This Chapter
Cervantes' friend advises him to trust his natural storytelling ability rather than forcing artificial sophistication
Development
Introduced here
In Your Life:
You might need to learn when to trust your instincts rather than copying what others do.
You now have the context. Time to form your own thoughts.
Discussion Questions
- 1
Why does Cervantes admit he feels inadequate compared to other scholarly books, and what does his friend advise him to do instead?
analysis • surface - 2
What pattern do you notice in how Cervantes chooses to present his work versus how other authors of his time presented theirs?
analysis • medium - 3
Where do you see people today choosing impressive presentation over authentic intention - in work, social media, or relationships?
application • medium - 4
Think of a time when someone's honesty about their limitations actually made you trust them more. What does this tell you about how to build real connection?
application • deep - 5
Why do you think authentic intention often creates more lasting impact than impressive credentials or fancy presentations?
reflection • deep
Critical Thinking Exercise
Strip Away the Performance
Think of something you need to communicate to someone - maybe explaining a problem at work, having a difficult conversation, or teaching someone a skill. Write down how you might typically present it (with all the impressive language, credentials, or justifications). Then rewrite it focusing only on authentic intention - what do you actually want to help them understand or accomplish?
Consider:
- •Notice what you add to sound smart versus what actually serves the other person
- •Pay attention to whether your first version focuses more on how you appear than on their needs
- •Consider which version would actually be more helpful if you received it
Journaling Prompt
Write about a time when someone's honest admission of not knowing something actually made you respect them more. What did that teach you about the power of authentic intention over perfect presentation?
Coming Up Next...
Chapter 21: The Making of a Knight-Errant
As the story unfolds, you'll explore obsessive consumption of media can blur the line between fantasy and reality, while uncovering the power of reinvention and choosing your own identity. These lessons connect the classic to contemporary challenges we all face.
