89 pages 2 hours read

Miguel de Cervantes

Don Quixote

Fiction | Novel | Adult | Published in 1605

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Part 2, Chapters 40-49

Chapter Summaries & Analyses

Part 2, Chapter 40 Summary

Quixote accepts the countess’s request for help. The countess says Malambruno will send a flying wooden horse to collect Quixote and Panza. Quixote must ride the magical horse to her country as soon as possible and fight Malambruno in single combat. Though Quixote does not like the idea of flying anywhere, the Duchess intervenes to convince him to go.

Part 2, Chapter 41 Summary

Clavileno, the flying wooden horse with a peg in its neck, is led into the garden. Quixote is told he must blindfold himself and his squire while riding the horse. After some reluctance, Panza is convinced to climb aboard the horse. Before they depart, Quixote suggests that Panza begin whipping himself across the backside to get started on his atonement. Panza refuses. Once the blindfolded men are on the horse, the duke and duchess’s people use tricks to convince the men they are actually flying. Eventually, a loud firework explodes, and the people pretend to faint. Quixote and Panza dismount. A note in the garden tells Quixote that his mission is a success. Panza falsely claims he peeked from behind his blindfold and saw just how high up they were flying. Privately, Quixote tells Panza he will only believe the squire’s claims if the squire believes Quixote’s claims about the visions in the cave.