Original Text(~250 words)
OF THE SHREWD CONTROVERSY WHICH DON QUIXOTE AND THE CANON HELD, TOGETHER WITH OTHER INCIDENTS “A good joke, that!” returned Don Quixote. “Books that have been printed with the king’s licence, and with the approbation of those to whom they have been submitted, and read with universal delight, and extolled by great and small, rich and poor, learned and ignorant, gentle and simple, in a word by people of every sort, of whatever rank or condition they may be—that these should be lies! And above all when they carry such an appearance of truth with them; for they tell us the father, mother, country, kindred, age, place, and the achievements, step by step, and day by day, performed by such a knight or knights! Hush, sir; utter not such blasphemy; trust me I am advising you now to act as a sensible man should; only read them, and you will see the pleasure you will derive from them. For, come, tell me, can there be anything more delightful than to see, as it were, here now displayed before us a vast lake of bubbling pitch with a host of snakes and serpents and lizards, and ferocious and terrible creatures of all sorts swimming about in it, while from the middle of the lake there comes a plaintive voice saying: ‘Knight, whosoever thou art who beholdest this dread lake, if thou wouldst win the prize that lies hidden beneath these dusky waves, prove the valour of thy stout heart and cast...
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Summary
Don Quixote passionately defends the truth and value of knight-errant stories against the canon's criticism, painting vivid pictures of magical adventures with enchanted lakes, crystal castles, and beautiful maidens. His detailed descriptions reveal how completely these tales have shaped his reality - to him, they're not just entertainment but blueprints for living. Meanwhile, Sancho shows his practical nature by focusing on the promised county, admitting he doesn't understand philosophy but knows he wants to govern and 'do as he likes.' The canon is amazed by Don Quixote's 'methodical nonsense' - how someone can be so logical yet so deluded. The chapter introduces a goatherd chasing his wandering goat, Spotty, who speaks to the animal as if it were human, setting up a new story within the story. This chapter brilliantly illustrates how the same books the canon sees as lies are, to Don Quixote, profound truths that have transformed him into someone 'valiant, polite, generous.' It shows how stories don't just entertain us - they can completely reshape who we become. The contrast between characters highlights how people can live in entirely different realities while occupying the same physical space.
That's what happens. To understand what the author is really doing—and to discuss this chapter with confidence—keep reading.
Terms to Know
Canon
A church official, but also someone who represents established authority and conventional thinking. In this chapter, the canon criticizes chivalric romances as lies and nonsense.
Modern Usage:
We still use 'canon' to mean the accepted, official version of something - like movie canon or literary canon.
Chivalric Romance
Medieval adventure stories about knights rescuing damsels, fighting monsters, and going on quests. These books were the fantasy novels of their time, full of magic and impossible feats.
Modern Usage:
Today's superhero movies and fantasy novels serve the same purpose - escapist entertainment that some people take very seriously.
Knight-errant
A wandering knight who travels seeking adventures to prove his worth and help others. Don Quixote believes he is one, despite living centuries after knights disappeared.
Modern Usage:
Like someone who thinks they're living in a different era - the guy who acts like a cowboy or treats life like a video game.
Methodical madness
When someone's thinking follows perfect logic within their own deluded system. Don Quixote argues brilliantly for something completely insane.
Modern Usage:
Conspiracy theorists often show this - they connect dots perfectly within their false reality.
Royal license
Official government approval to publish a book. Don Quixote argues that if the king approved these stories, they must be true.
Modern Usage:
Like believing something must be true because it's on TV, published by a big company, or has official backing.
Universal delight
When something is loved by everyone across social classes. Don Quixote claims these stories appeal to rich and poor, educated and simple alike.
Modern Usage:
When we say something 'went viral' or has 'mass appeal' - though popularity doesn't guarantee truth.
Characters in This Chapter
Don Quixote
Deluded protagonist
Passionately defends chivalric romances as absolute truth, painting vivid pictures of magical adventures. His detailed descriptions show how completely these stories have become his reality.
Modern Equivalent:
The person who lives entirely through movies, games, or social media and can't separate fantasy from reality
The Canon
Voice of conventional wisdom
Represents educated, rational society trying to talk sense into Don Quixote. He's amazed by Don Quixote's 'methodical nonsense' - perfect logic applied to complete delusion.
Modern Equivalent:
The family member trying to stage an intervention for someone's unhealthy obsession
Sancho Panza
Practical companion
Shows his down-to-earth nature by focusing on his promised governorship rather than philosophy. Admits he doesn't understand deep thinking but knows what he wants.
Modern Equivalent:
The friend who doesn't care about your theories - they just want to know what's in it for them
The Goatherd
New storyteller
Appears chasing his wandering goat Spotty, talking to the animal like it's human. Introduces a new tale within the larger story.
Modern Equivalent:
The person who talks to their pets like family members and has strong opinions about their behavior
Why This Matters
Connect literature to life
This chapter teaches how to maintain inspiring goals while acknowledging practical limitations and valid concerns from others.
Practice This Today
This week, notice when you're describing future plans—are you painting realistic pictures or fantasy scenarios, and how do others respond to the difference?
You have the foundation. Now let's look closer.
Key Quotes & Analysis
"Books that have been printed with the king's licence, and with the approbation of those to whom they have been submitted, and read with universal delight... that these should be lies!"
Context: Defending chivalric romances against the canon's criticism
Shows how Don Quixote uses authority and popularity to prove truth. He believes official approval and mass appeal guarantee accuracy, revealing his need to justify his worldview.
In Today's Words:
If it's published by a major company and everyone loves it, how can it be fake?
"Can there be anything more delightful than to see, as it were, here now displayed before us a vast lake of bubbling pitch with a host of snakes and serpents"
Context: Describing the vivid adventures found in knight-errant tales
Reveals how completely these stories have captured his imagination. He doesn't just read them - he experiences them as if they're happening right now.
In Today's Words:
Isn't it amazing when you can picture yourself right in the middle of the action?
"I don't understand all this philosophy, but I know I want to govern and do as I like"
Context: When asked about his motivations for following Don Quixote
Shows Sancho's honest, practical nature. While others debate high concepts, he focuses on concrete benefits and personal freedom.
In Today's Words:
I don't get all this deep stuff - I just want to be in charge and call my own shots
Intelligence Amplifier™ Analysis
The Road of Living Your Story
The stories we consume repeatedly become the lens through which we interpret and navigate our lives.
Thematic Threads
Identity
In This Chapter
Don Quixote has completely transformed his identity through stories, becoming 'valiant, polite, generous' while the canon maintains his scholarly identity
Development
Deepening exploration of how identity forms through narrative consumption rather than just social circumstances
In Your Life:
You might notice how the podcasts, books, or shows you consume regularly start influencing how you see yourself and what you think is possible.
Class
In This Chapter
The canon represents educated elite dismissing popular stories, while Don Quixote shows how 'low' literature can inspire noble behavior
Development
Continuing theme of how different classes value different types of knowledge and truth
In Your Life:
You might feel torn between what 'educated' people say you should read or watch versus what actually inspires and motivates you.
Social Expectations
In This Chapter
Society expects Don Quixote to accept 'reality' and abandon his dreams, but he insists on living by higher ideals
Development
Ongoing tension between conforming to social norms versus pursuing personal vision
In Your Life:
You might face pressure to 'be realistic' about your goals when others can't see the vision that drives you.
Truth
In This Chapter
Multiple versions of truth coexist—the canon's scholarly truth, Don Quixote's experiential truth, Sancho's practical truth
Development
Expanding beyond simple delusion versus reality to show different valid ways of understanding truth
In Your Life:
You might realize that what's 'true' for your growth and happiness might differ from what others consider factually accurate.
Human Relationships
In This Chapter
The goatherd's relationship with his goat Spotty mirrors how all characters relate to their chosen realities
Development
Introduced here as a parallel to show how everyone creates meaning through their connections
In Your Life:
You might notice how you project human qualities onto pets, jobs, or possessions to create meaningful relationships in your life.
Modern Adaptation
When Your Dreams Sound Crazy to Everyone Else
Following Daniel's story...
Daniel passionately defends his business plan to his skeptical brother-in-law Mike, who thinks opening a food truck serving 'authentic street tacos' is financial suicide. Daniel paints vivid pictures of lines around the block, food festival invitations, maybe even a cookbook deal. His detailed vision reveals how completely entrepreneurship podcasts and success stories have shaped his reality—to him, they're not just entertainment but blueprints for living. Meanwhile, his wife Sarah shows her practical nature by focusing on the mortgage payment, admitting she doesn't understand business plans but knows they need steady income. Mike is amazed by Daniel's 'organized delusion'—how someone can be so detailed yet so unrealistic about restaurant failure rates. The conversation is interrupted by their neighbor chasing his escaped dog, Buddy, talking to the animal like it understands every word about staying in the yard.
The Road
The road Don Quixote walked in 1605, Daniel walks today. The pattern is identical: complete absorption in inspiring narratives that reshape reality, while practical voices urge caution and skeptics question sanity.
The Map
This chapter provides a tool for recognizing when passion becomes delusion. Daniel can use it to maintain his vision while acknowledging real-world constraints and listening to practical concerns without abandoning his dreams.
Amplification
Before reading this, Daniel might have dismissed all criticism as negativity or abandoned his dreams entirely when challenged. Now he can NAME the difference between vision and fantasy, PREDICT when others will see his plans as unrealistic, and NAVIGATE by grounding big dreams in small, measurable steps.
You now have the context. Time to form your own thoughts.
Discussion Questions
- 1
How does Don Quixote defend the knight-errant stories, and what does his detailed knowledge of these tales reveal about how deeply they've influenced him?
analysis • surface - 2
Why does the canon see the same books as lies while Don Quixote sees them as profound truths? What creates such different realities from the same material?
analysis • medium - 3
Where do you see this pattern today—people living in completely different realities based on the stories they consume? Think about social media, news sources, or entertainment choices.
application • medium - 4
If you discovered that certain stories or content you regularly consume were shaping your behavior in ways you hadn't noticed, how would you evaluate whether that influence is helpful or harmful?
application • deep - 5
What does Don Quixote's 'methodical nonsense' teach us about the power of stories to transform people, and how can we harness this power intentionally rather than accidentally?
reflection • deep
Critical Thinking Exercise
Audit Your Story Diet
For the next three days, track the stories you consume—books, shows, social media, podcasts, conversations. Note what values each story promotes and how it makes you feel about yourself and your life. Then identify which stories are pushing you toward the person you want to become versus those that might be leading you astray.
Consider:
- •Pay attention to stories that make you feel inadequate or inspire unrealistic expectations
- •Notice which narratives you return to repeatedly and what they're teaching you about how life 'should' work
- •Consider how different people in your life might interpret the same story completely differently
Journaling Prompt
Write about a story or type of content that significantly shaped how you see yourself or the world. How did it influence your choices and behavior? Looking back, was this influence mostly positive or negative, and what would you choose differently now?
Coming Up Next...
Chapter 71: The Goatherd's Tale of Love and Deception
As the story unfolds, you'll explore flashy displays often mask empty substance, while uncovering parental guidance matters in major life decisions. These lessons connect the classic to contemporary challenges we all face.