How we cite our quotes: (Part.Book.Chapter.Paragraph) We use the P. A. Motteux translation from 1712 for our quotes. Some familiar character names appear differently in this edition (Sancho Panza is Sancho Panca here, Rocinante is Rozinante, and Doña Rodriguez is Donna Rodriguez). We preserve Motteux's spellings in our quotes but use the more familiar versions of these names in our analysis.
Quote #4
"Sir," quoth Sancho, "I dare say the knights who did these penances had some reason to be mad; but what need have you to be mad too?" (1.3.11.5)
When Don Quixote decides to torture himself in the Sierra Morena mountains, Sancho asks him why he would do such a thing. But Don Quixote doesn't seem to need any reason other than the fact that the knights he's read about have done the same thing. As you can imagine, Sancho scratches his head and doesn't really get it. Still, do you think Don Quixote's suffering could be real? Is he just putting on an act, or is this stuff in the mountains a real—if weird—way to deal with unrequited love, even if that love is for someone who doesn't exist?
Quote #5
There was none of the beholders but was ready to burst into laughter, having a sight of the master's madness and the servant's simplicity. (1.4.3.2)
As you can imagine, a lot of people in this book have a good laugh at all of Don Quixote's crazy talk. The way he talks to people is kind of like someone today walking up to you and saying that he's Batman.
Quote #6
The canon stood amazed at Don Quixote's methodical and orderly madness, in describing the adventure of the Knight of the Lake. (1.4.23.2)
The main phrase to focus on here is "methodical and orderly," because that's what makes it so hard for people to argue with Don Quixote's madness. The guy has read so many adventure books and knows the rules so well that he's basically created an entire belief system that's impenetrable to rational argument.