Don Quixote: Part 2, Chapter 26 Summary & Analysis

In a few minutes, the puppet show begins. An assistant tells the story of Don Galiferos, who rescued his wife Melisendra from captivity. When he starts to describe the enemy army chasing after the couple, Quixote springs up to defend them and smashes all the puppets with his sword, to Master Pedro’s horror; he also scares away the ape. When he’s done, he announces proudly that knights errant are clearly indispensable to society. The grief-stricken Master Pedro replies that his intentions may have been good, but the fact of the matter is that Quixote destroyed his livelihood. Sancho interrupts to say that his master is kind and generous and will pay for all the damage.

When Quixote realizes what he’s done, he says sadly that the enchanters once again distorted his perception of reality to suit their wishes. He thought the puppets were real people, he says, so he tried to defend them. The enchanters are responsible for the sad outcome, but he will willingly recompense Master Pedro for the ruined puppets. Quixote still seems to believe that the husband and wife puppets are real people, but he pays Master Pedro what he owes him. He and Sancho leave the inn early the following morning.