Foil

Character Role Analysis

Sancho Panza

Don Quixote's sidekick Sancho Panza gives us more than just comic relief (as if this novel needed comic relief); he acts as a great foil for bringing out Don Quixote's most extreme qualities. While Don Quixote cares only about abstract things like honor and love, Sancho cares only about practical things like food, sleep, and money. Don Quixote speaks like a knight from a medieval adventure story, while Sancho speaks in a mishmash of proverbs and curses that don't really make any sense. While Don Quixote is tall and thin, Sancho is short and fat. Don Quixote rides a horse, while Sancho rides a donkey.

They really make a great pair, and Sancho's unique blend of skepticism and gullibility allows Don Quixote to continue in his adventures while constantly explaining to Sancho (and to us) the reasons behind all the stuff he does.