Don Quixote, Part I, by Miguel De Cervantes Saavedra, translated by Edith Grossman, introduced by Harold Bloom
Don Quixote, Part I, by Miguel De Cervantes Saavedra, translated by Edith Grossman, introduced by Harold Bloom.#
The true history of the famous Knight of the Sorrow Face from La Mancha.#
This is an incredibly enjoyable piece of history. From the interesting remarks about knight errantry, and the references to past knights (Now you will see, said Agrajes. [p. 63]), and to the charming inline love stories, like that of Grisótomo and Marcela; it is a jewel throughout.#
When the two Knights meet for the first time, I thought the interaction was clever:#
When the young man reached them, he greeted them in a hoarse and rasping voice, but with great courtesy. Don Quixote returned the greetings with no less courtesy, and, after dismounting Rocinante, with a gallant air and presence he went forward to embrace him and held him close for a long while, as if he had known him for some time. The other man, whom we can call The Ragged One of the Gloomy Face--as Don Quixote is He of the Sorrowful One--allowed himself to be embraced, then stepped back, placed his hands on Don Quixote's shoulders, and stood looking at him as if wanting to see if he knew him, no less astonished, perhaps, at the face, form, and arms of Don Quixote than Don Quixote was at the sight of him. Finally, the first to speak after their embrace was the Ragged One, and he said what will now be recounted. [p. 182]
The letter that the betrayed daughter sends to her love is touching and contains a wonderful phrase at the end:#
Don Fernado's promise to you that he would speak to your father about speaking to mine has been carried out more to his pleasure than to your benefit. Know then, Señor, that he has asked for my hand in marriage, and my father, carried away by the advantage he thinks Don Fernado has over you, has agreed to everything he wishes, and with so much enthusiasm that in two days' time the betrothal will take place so secretly and so privately that the only witnesses will be heaven and a few of our servants. Imagine the state I am in; if you come, you will see it, and you will know, in the outcome of this business, whether or not I love you dearly. May it please God that this reaches your hands before my hand finds itself joined with that of one who does not know how to keep the faith he promises. [p. 221]
From the story of Lotario and Camila, I thought this was delightful:#
But the benefit derived from Camila's many virtues imposing silence on Lotario in fact did harm to them both, because if his tongue was silent, his mind was active and had the opportunity to contemplate, one by one, all the exceptional qualities of virtue and beauty in Camila, which were enough to make a marble statue fall in love, let alone a human heart. [p. 288]