It is in the formidable frontier of the unknown that Don Quixote claims the true spirit of adventure can be found. Don Quixote had just embarked on his gallant quest when he decided to let his horse dictate his destiny, to chose his fate for him. “With this [Don Quixote] ... continued on his way, letting his horse take whatever path it chose, for he believed that therein lay the very essence of adventures” (1680). By letting his horse decide the path, Don Quixote was putting his fate in the hooves of Rocinante, thus relinquishing the knight errant of responsibility. He yearns to be everything that the knights of old were, and more, but instead of forging his own way and galloping with purpose, he lets his horse amble whichever way it wants.
By saying …show more content…
It is ironic how Don Quixote is looking so fervently for more responsibility, but he is actually leaving his tue responsibilities behind in doing so. In being the heroic knight, Don Quixote would be responsible for all of La Mancha, and possibly beyond, but he claims that adventure is freedom and a release of duty and obligation. Don Quixote believes that the “very essence of adventures” is to give up responsibility and let fate, or in this case an old horse, decide his future. Cervantes presents a deep contradiction in Don Quixote through this passage, since the reason Don Quixote is looking for adventure in the first place is because he wants to take up the mantle of knighthood and all of its inherent responsibilities. He wants more responsibility, but he also wants to relinquish any ties he had with his old life and all the responsibilities therein. Don Quixote struggles between doing what he desires and fulfilling his responsibility to others, and ultimately decides to forsake his responsibilities when he leaves home. Content to let his horse decide, Don Quixote is giving up control in the
By saying …show more content…
It is ironic how Don Quixote is looking so fervently for more responsibility, but he is actually leaving his tue responsibilities behind in doing so. In being the heroic knight, Don Quixote would be responsible for all of La Mancha, and possibly beyond, but he claims that adventure is freedom and a release of duty and obligation. Don Quixote believes that the “very essence of adventures” is to give up responsibility and let fate, or in this case an old horse, decide his future. Cervantes presents a deep contradiction in Don Quixote through this passage, since the reason Don Quixote is looking for adventure in the first place is because he wants to take up the mantle of knighthood and all of its inherent responsibilities. He wants more responsibility, but he also wants to relinquish any ties he had with his old life and all the responsibilities therein. Don Quixote struggles between doing what he desires and fulfilling his responsibility to others, and ultimately decides to forsake his responsibilities when he leaves home. Content to let his horse decide, Don Quixote is giving up control in the