3-098-951 - Heritage Art/Heritage Images

Speech given by Don Quixote on arms and letters (chapter XXXVIII), 1884. Scene from Cervantes' novel. Don Quixote, clad in his armour, discourses on the superiority of Arms over Letters, presiding from his position not only physically over those gathered at Juan Palomeque's inn, but also dominating them from the lofty heights of the ideals to whose service he has dedicated himself - a very romantic notion of the exaltation of the virtues of nobility and heroism. Beside him, Sancho Panza listens contentedly to his master, and around the table are also Dorothea, with Cardenio, leaning over her. Nearby are Zoraida, the priest, the barber, the captive in Moorish dress, Luscinda in long white robes and veil as if she were a novice, since "she came in a nun's habit," and Don Fernando, dressed as a knight armed with spurs and sword.