Quixote & Panza Vs. Watson: A Comparison

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Quixote & Panza vs Holmes and Watson: A Comparison

Aside from their personality and ego similarities, a comparison of the physical attributes and living habits of Don Quixote and Sherlock Holmes are worth examining for a full understanding of each man. Physically, Quixote and Holmes are rather alike. When we are first introduced to Don Quixote, he is described as “Lean-bodied and thin-faced, of a hale and strong complexion7.” In his full armor with lance and mounted on his horse, Quixote cuts more of a comical figure than anything. Like Quixote, Holmes is described as being tall and thin. Dr. Watson describes him as being “Rather over six feet, and so excessively lean that he seemed to be considerably taller8.” Holmes is also …show more content…

As stated by their respective books, Quixote is near 50 years old, while Holmes is closer to 60. In terms of their living habits, Quixote and Holmes differ somewhat. Holmes is described as having bohemian (informal/unconventional) habits. This does make him sometimes difficult to live with at times. Watson says in the Adventure of the Musgrave Ritual that “Although in his methods of thought he was the neatest and most methodical of mankind, he was none the less in his personal habits one of the most untidy men that ever drove a fellow-lodger to distraction9.” Despite this critical description of Holmes, Watson never gives true indication that Holmes is truly a burden to live with. Quixote, by comparison, led a relatively quiet and unassuming life until his madness began. He is described as being, “an early riser and a lover of hunting10.” Quixote’s life after the madness took hold, however, was completely turned upside down by his various travels across Spain, the fights he had with imaginary devils and the problems he caused his friends who were trying to look out for his safety. Because of all this, despite whatever good intention he may have had, Quixote could …show more content…

Quixote’s sidekick is his ever believing squire Sancho Panza, while Holmes’s sidekick is the kind-hearted Dr. John Watson. In the first Sherlock Holmes story, A Study in Scarlet, Watson is introduced as having received his medical degree in London in 1878. From London, he traveled to India as a member of the Fifth Northumberland Fusiliers where he served as an assistant surgeon and was wounded in combat. Watson then returns to London, where he encounters Holmes for the first time. The two decide to become roommates in the same apartment, and the friendship between them begins. While Watson’s backstory is described in great detail, there is very little to the backstory of Sancho Panza.In fact, Don Quixote doesn’t even meet Sancho until Chapter Seven of the story. Sancho is described as one of Don Quixote’s neighbors, a simple-minded farmer and extremely poor. Quixote convinces Sancho to become his squire and promises him many fine things, including the government of an island (that Quixote would someday conquer). Sancho believes Quixote and leaves his wife and children to follow him. Throughout the story, Sancho is shown to be a rather silly, dimwitted character. He is aware of his master’s madness much of the time, but appears to deliberately ignore it to further his dreams of being a Governor and receive money and other spoils that his master might give him. Sancho’s

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