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 #7
He is mad past recovery, but yet he has lucid intervals. (2.1.18.4)
There are several people in this book who admire Don Quixote during his moments of sanity. And yes, there are more than a few of those moments. It's only when the topic of a conversation turns to adventure books that the Don seems to fall off the rails. What does that tell us about his madness?
Quote #8
The Duchess was ready to die with laughing at Sancho, whom she thought a more pleasant fool, and a greater madman than his master; and she was not the only person at that time of this opinion. (2.1.32.4).
The Duchess likes Don Quixote well enough, but she wants to keep Sancho around as if he were a cute dog. The funny thing about Sancho is that he thinks he's sane for seeing all of Don Quixote's faults. But if he can see Don Quixote's craziness, isn't Sancho doubly crazy for staying so loyal to the guy? Or is he unexpectedly wise for doing so?
Quote #9
Presently a fit of despair seized him: he was stark mad to think on Sancho's remissness and want of charity; the squire having not given himself above five lashes. (2.1.60.1)
At first, Don Quixote accepts Sancho's right to whip himself whenever he likes in order to break the curse on Dulcinea. But over time, Don Quixote starts to seethe at the fact that Sancho isn't getting around to the job. It's enough to drive a dude crazy.