Don Quixote

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Miguel de Cervantes, author of Don Quixote, molds Sancho Panza throughout his novel into one of the greatest sidekicks in literature, and Panza develops into a loyal follower of Don Quixote. To build character reputation in literature, authors must develop strong characteristics through different methods, and in Don Quixote, Cervantes characterizes Panza using some descriptions of the character, but more significantly the diction and behavior Panza displays. To further develop Panza, the author uses Don Quixote as a great complement and details portraying Panza’s life journey. Providing an inside view of the thought process and actions of Panza, Cervantes uses the dialogue of other characters and the friendship Panza maintains with Quixote …show more content…

Throughout the story, readers to not need narration to describe Panza, but dialogue between the characters illustrates the type of person Panza is. In his own words, he describes himself as a “poor villano” and “hombre pacifico” (Cervantes). Also, throughout the course of the book we learn Panza appears as “a short, pot-bellied peasant whose gross appetite, common sense, and vulgar wit serve as a foil to the mad idealism of his master” (Britannica). These two descriptions give important physical attributes of Panza, and Cervantes incorporates these to force audiences to pity Panza. In Volume 2, Chapter 3, Quixote says, “You’re a sly fox, Sancho...By God, you haven’t got a bad memory, when you feel like having one” (Cervantes, 376) Showing a more personal side of Panza, Cervantes describes the lifestyle lives and more of his intricate details. Despite society’s view of Panza as a poor and ridiculous human, Cervantes proves Panza remains capable of powerfully changing lives since he remains loyal through life and draws the sympathy of …show more content…

For a significant portion of his life, Panza lived with Don Quixote, so clearly the personal relationship the two possessed with each other revealed many characteristics of Panza. Early in the novel, Cervantes reveals many characteristics about Quixote, but when characterizing Panza, he lets Quixote display the traits of Panza. Quixote reads books and dreams of solving the world’s problems, while conversations between the two reveal Panza to contrast Quixote perfectly (Cervantes). Also, selection of details of Quixote’s journey further characterize Panza. While Quixote believes his duty as a knight demands him to destroy the windmill monsters, Cervantes cleverly provides some details on how the knight’s squire, Panza, will actually contrast him in battle (Cervantes). Cervantes makes it clear Panza foils Quixote’s character and also represents a common man trying to gain a good reputation. Using the partnership between knight and squire to reveal personality traits, Cervantes chooses details which show Panza journeys with Quixote in hopes of a large reward, rather than belief of Quixote’s logic. Panza’s personal goals illustrate character values and his strive for a different life than his previous life as a poor

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