The Author’s Dedication of the First Part
Cervantes respectfully dedicates his novel to the Duke
of Bejar and asks him to protect the novel from ignorant and unjust
criticism.
Prologue
Cervantes belittles his novel and denies that Don Quixote
is an invented character, claiming that he, Cervantes, is merely
rewriting history. He reports a likely fictional account of a conversation
with a friend who reassures Cervantes that his novel can stand without conventional
embellishments, such as sonnets, ballads, references to famous authors,
and Latin phrases. He humorously suggests that such adornments can
be added to a book after its completion. Cervantes accepts this
advice and urges us to enjoy the novel for its simplicity.
Chapter I
Cervantes mentions an eccentric gentleman from an unnamed
village in La Mancha. The man has neglected his estate, squandered
his fortune, and driven himself mad by reading too many books about chivalry.
Now gaunt at fifty, the gentleman decides to become a knight-errant
and set off on a great adventure in pursuit of eternal glory. He
polishes his old family armor and makes a new pasteboard visor for
his helmet. He finds an old nag, which he renames Rocinante, and
takes the new name Don Quixote de la Mancha. Deciding he needs a
lady in whose name to perform great deeds, he renames a farm girl
on whom he once had a crush, Dulcinea del Toboso.
Chapter II
Don Quixote sets off on his first adventure, the details
of which Cervantes claims to have discovered in La Mancha’s archives.
After a daylong ride, Don Quixote stops at an inn for supper and
repose. He mistakes the scheming innkeeper for the keeper of a castle
and mistakes two prostitutes he meets outside for princesses. He
recites poetry to the two prostitutes, who laugh at him but play
along. They remove his armor and feed him dinner. He refuses to
remove his helmet, which is stuck on his head, but he enjoys his
meal because he believes he is in a great castle where princesses
are entertaining him.
Chapter III
In the middle of dinner, Don Quixote realizes that he
has not been properly knighted. He begs the innkeeper to do him
the honor. The innkeeper notes Don Quixote’s madness but agrees
to his request for the sake of sport, addressing him in flowery
language. He tries to cheat Don Quixote, but Don Quixote does not
have any money. The innkeeper commands him always to carry some
in the future.
Trouble arises when guests at the inn try to use the inn’s
well, where Don Quixote’s armor now rests, to water their animals.
Don Quixote, riled and invoking Dulcinea’s name, knocks one guest unconscious
and smashes the skull of another. Alarmed, the innkeeper quickly
performs a bizarre knighting ceremony and sends Don Quixote on his
way. Don Quixote begs the favor of the two prostitutes, thanks the
innkeeper for knighting him, and leaves.
