Don Quixote de la Mancha RFQs
Chapters 4 – 6
Chapter 4 – “Hostile Armies, More Magic and the Spoils of Victory” pg.45-61
1. At the beginning of the chapter, is Sancho concerned that it is harvest season. Why is this information
concerning to Sancho and Don Quixote does not care?
2. Don Quixote exclaims, “Ah, how easily that thief of an enchanter, my mortal enemy, can transform
things or make them invisible. He envies the glory I would gain from battle so much that he transforms
armies into flocks.” Why would Don Quixote’s mortal enemy wish to steal Don Quixote’s “glory”?
3. Why was it serendipitous for Don Quixote and Sancho Panza to meet the Dominican Monks on their
funeral procession? (Serendipitous: happy or timely coincidence; lucky)
4. Why is Don Quixote embarrassed about the incident with the fulling hammers mill, and why does he
threaten Sancho about telling the story to anyone?
Chapter 5 – “The Adventure with the Galley Slaves” pg. 62-73
1. Why is it ironic that Don Quixote wishes to “free” the galley slaves?
2. What “tells” you that Gines de Pasamonte is the most dangerous of all the convicts in the chain gang?
3. Why does Sancho release Gines de Pasamonte from his chains first?
4. What is ironic about the ending of chapter 5?
Chapter 6 – “Flight into the Mountains and Sancho’s Errand” pg. 74-85
1. Don Quixote and Sancho find evidence of a lovesick wandering shepherd, how does this “find” inspire
Don Quixote?
2. Explain the following quote from Don Quixote and explain what it tells us about his mental state: “Of
course the affairs of knights are mostly delusions, simply because of the many wicked sorcerers who
transform everything in order to frustrate and mislead us. We can see things like windmills and barber’s
basins as plainly as others, but we can also see that they can be disguises for giants or magic helmets.”
3. On page 82, Don Quixote explains to Sancho why he has chosen Aldonza as his “Lady Dulcinea del
Toboso”; rewrite Don Quixote’s reason in your own words.
4. Explain whether Don Quixote is TRULY mad/insane at the end of chapter six, and give at least two
pieces of evidence to prove your answer.
Don Quixote de la Mancha RFQs
Chapters 7 – 9
Chapter 7 – “Conspiracy, Recovery of Dapple, Slaying a Giant, and Home Again” pg. 86-97
1. Who does Sancho meet on his journey to find Dulcinea, and why do Sancho and the men conspire
against Don Quixote?
2. Why does Sancho choose to describe Dulcinea as Aldonza Lorenzo, to Don Quixote, when Don
Quixote asks about Sancho’s meeting with her in Toboso?
Example: Don Quixote – “No doubt you found my Queen of Beauty in a stately apartment
stringing pearls on gold thread,” Sancho -“No, sir,” replied Sancho. “I found her winnowing
bushels of wheat in her father’s backyard.”
3. Don Quixote fought another “giant” at the inn in Ch. 7. What is different about this particular
fantastic encounter of Don Quixote’s? What was this “giant” to the innkeeper?
4. Explain why Sancho’s wife doesn’t understand his reasons for going on more adventures with
Don Quixote.
Chapter 8 – “The Search for Dulcinea, Her Transformation, and the Masked Players” pg. 98-106
1. Explain how Sancho has changed in this story, since first setting off as Don Quixote’s Squire.
2. Why does Sancho choose the three ladies coming down the road to be Dulcinea and her two
Ladies in Waiting?
3. Why doesn’t Don Quixote “see” Dulcinea del Toboso, and what does this tell you about his
delusions?
Chapter 9 – “The Strange Knight and Squire – Challenge, Victory and Transformation” pg. 107-123
1. Explain Sancho’s quote once Don Quixote wakes him about another adventure on page 108 - “I
pray to heaven it will be a safe and profitable one.”
2. Why does the “Mysterious Knight-Errant” want Don Quixote to challenge him?
3. Why does Don Quixote believe that the “Mysterious Knight-Errant” is changed into Sampson
Carrasco?
4. How does Sampson Carrasco’s plan backfire on him?