In Cervantes story of Don Quixote, the most obvious character of interest is Don Quixote himself, a scholar turned apparent mad-man. However, a less obvious interesting character is Sancho Panza, Quixote’s so called squire in his fabulous adventures. Though Sancho is an interesting character just based on his role in the story, it is this curiosity with Quixote that is responsible for much of our connection with him. He observes and thinks about Don Quixote, enabling us to judge him for ourselves.
Though Sancho is a simple peasant, he follows Don Quixote out of curiosity and loyalty as an actual squire would, Sancho is the only character to exist both inside Quixote’s mad world and outside of it. Sancho is Quixote’s opposite in many ways; whereas Quixote claims to love a woman he has never met, Sancho truly loves his wife, where Quixote lies to everyone, Sancho only lies when it suits his needs for example he lies about finding Cardenio's wallet saying, "I saw the portmanteau too, do you see, but the Devil a bit would I come within a stone's throw of it."
While Sancho Panza does exhibit most of the faults that the other sane characters do he processes an underlying honorable and compassionate streak that the others largely lack. Therefore he comes across as the character with the most varied perspective and the most wisdom. Sancho role humanizes the story, bringing dignity and poise, but also humor and compassion.
Though Sancho is a simple peasant, he follows Don Quixote out of curiosity and loyalty as an actual squire would, Sancho is the only character to exist both inside Quixote’s mad world and outside of it. Sancho is Quixote’s opposite in many ways; whereas Quixote claims to love a woman he has never met, Sancho truly loves his wife, where Quixote lies to everyone, Sancho only lies when it suits his needs for example he lies about finding Cardenio's wallet saying, "I saw the portmanteau too, do you see, but the Devil a bit would I come within a stone's throw of it."
While Sancho Panza does exhibit most of the faults that the other sane characters do he processes an underlying honorable and compassionate streak that the others largely lack. Therefore he comes across as the character with the most varied perspective and the most wisdom. Sancho role humanizes the story, bringing dignity and poise, but also humor and compassion.