The image of the noble knight Don Quixote is known to many - even to those who have not read the famous novel by Cervantes. But does everyone remember the name of his faithful squire? This simple-minded little man, who accompanied Don Quixote on his adventures and rides on a donkey, is considered by some critics to be the personification of the Spanish nation.
Don Quixote's loyal squire
The squire in the novel, which tells about the wanderings of Don Quixote of La Mancha, was called Sancho Panza. This is a simple Spanish peasant who turned out to be very receptive to Don Quixote's tales of knightly valor, glory and rich booty. The surname of the squire is translated as "belly" or "belly", which largely corresponds to the appearance of the hero.
When we first meet Sancho Panza, we see a man who is almost the complete opposite of Don Quixote. He is interested not so much in romantic adventures and exploits performed in the name of a beautiful lady, as in possible prey and untold riches. From the upcoming knight's campaign, Pansa wants to get only easy money and to provide for his family for the rest of his life. The squire's favorite pastimes are to eat and sleep.
This little man cannot be categorized as a dreamer. In ordinary life, he is overly practical, judicious, and at times even cunning. In any situation, he is attracted exclusively to personal gain. Panza is one of those people who would rather stand firmly on the ground than hover in the clouds. That is why the squire often tries to dissuade Don Quixote from reckless actions.
And yet, even the sensible Sancho Panza could not resist the opportunity to become a nobleman and governor. Thoughts of fame and power still turned his head.
Sancho Panza - a man of the people
Throughout the story, you can see how Sancho Panza changes under the influence of his knight. He ceases to serve the ruined Don Quixote for a reward. Sancho is imbued with respect for the master and becomes attached to him. Sometimes he even pity the "knight of the sad image", showing humanity, responsiveness and kindness.
Innocently trusting the stories of Don Quixote, Panza considers his master to be an educated and respectable person who has, though bizarre, but noble thoughts.
The behavior of a knightly squire is characteristic in a situation when he happened to become the governor of a fictional island for a while. The reader of the novel sees before him a merciful and caring ruler who shows attention to the representatives of the people and intends to raise agriculture, remaking it according to his own understanding. The image of Sancho Panza reflects the features of a typical representative of the people, a simple, naive person, who, however, is not devoid of worldly wisdom and purity of heart.
