Don Quixote Chap 19 - 27

1. I first wanted to address the scene with Quixote and the barber – as Sancho and Quixote see the barber approaching, Quixote immediately states that this is fortune opening another door of opportunity for him with the alleged helmet of Mambrino on his head.

-Sancho immediately disagrees with Quixote, who describes the barber as a “knight upon a dapple-grey steed, wearing a helmet of gold,” (p. 166, Chap 21). Sancho perceives: “All I can make out is a bloke on a donkey, brown like mine, with something shiny on his head,” (p. 166, Chap 21).
-Quixote then continues to charge at the barber and take the “golden helmet” from him, which he has vowed to not continue without.
-Quixote then assumes this barber basin helmet and is pleased with his find, when Sancho says it is not a true helmet, Quixote immediately deems the helmet as enchanted – as to explain its odd size and shape.

“I think that this famous piece of this enchanted helmet must, by some strange accident, have fallen into the hands of a person who did not understand or appreciate its value, and, not knowing what he was doing, he must, on seeing that it is made of the purest gold, have melted down the other half to sell it, and with the reaming half made this, which seems, as you say, like a barber’s basin/ But let it be what it will; for me, who knows it well, its transformation is of no consequence; I shall have it corrected in the first village where there is a blacksmith…”(page 168, chapter 21).

Quixote has transformed his reality and everything in it, into a fantasy world. Sancho tries to warn him that this really is not a golden helmet, but a barber’s basin – yet Quixote has an explanation for all of this and refuses to agree with him.
However, I think that the above quote shows a critical point when Quixote says that the helmet “fell into the hands of a person who did not understand or appreciate its value.” This can be interpreted in several ways; one is that the helmet represents some form of truth, knowledge, or power. I think that power is something that falls into the wrong hands so often, and can cause devastating effects. Quixote sees his “power” for seeing a greater truth and potential to enlighten those around him who are consumed by daily life. Quixote sees the value in being able to understand something and appreciate things beyond surface value or appearances - just as he treated the prostitutes like princesses. All things being treated equally, and the ability to transcend judgment and false pretenses is a big theme and piece of chivalry that Quixote works to promote amongst those he encounters.


2) I also looked at the scene where Quixote frees the criminals from their chains.
I thought this scene was particularly interesting, because although these men recounted their tales which had led them to be incarcerated, he still felt as though they should be freed and not condemned by the king and prison guard, but by God when they die.

Here, we also see the blurred lines of class in Quixote’s world. Quixote regards himself to be a highly acclaimed Knight, rich in chivalrous efforts and justice – when in reality, he is not even a real knight, and would be considered classes lower than a knight. Sancho is considered to be Quixote’s squire – which is actually classes above his real peasantry. The idea of class and hierarchy are links in the "chain" of society, as they inhibit people from being free from judgement and discrimination, and create schisms in our lives.

When Quixote talks with the prison guards, they mock him for wanting to free the prisoners, Quixote retorts: “You are the cat, and the rat, and the villain too!” (Page 184, chapter 22).

Thus, in nature the rat is “lower” than the cat, which is “higher,” but the villain can be of any class. So Quixote is removing class distinctions that are considered to be such a critical facet of society, and viewing everyone, including the prisoners, prison guards, Sancho and himself, as equals. Thus, he defies the chains of society as he tries to promote greater truth and justice.

I also think it is ironic because through out the book, Quixote commits crimes himself, like when he steals the barber’s basin and violently attacks innocent bystanders. Yet, he is not punished for his crimes as these men are. I think this also contributes to the theme of “fighting for justice,” which may not always follow a logical, or socially acceptable route. People may think things to be unjust or corrupt – the masses opinion can prove to be detrimental to a society.

In my philosophy class we are studying Socrates, the Meno, Apology and Phaedo. Socrates was put on trial and sentenced to death for “corrupting the minds of the youth” – what Socrates preached did not break any laws, however, he was viewed as an outlier in society and as a threat to the conformity of society, thus he was eliminated. In the same way, Quixote appears to be an outlier of society, who uses tales of knighthood and chivalry to promote enlightenment and the greater good of those around him.

Power, truth, and reason fell into the “good hands” of Quixote as he tries to push for the greater good in his own, unique way.