Sancho's Zest for the Quest

TL;DR: The most significant truism of Cervantine scholarship was aptly phrased some five years ago by Professor Hatzfeld to the effect that "The last and definite word about the meaning of the Don Quijote probably will never be said.".

Abstract: The most significant truism of Cervantine scholarship was aptly phrased some five years ago by Professor Hatzfeld to the effect that "The last and definite word about the meaning of the Don Quijote probably will never be said."' It is inevitable that such an imposing story of human quality and endeavor should lend itself to abundant and varied interpretations. It is equally inevitable that the subtleties of Cervantes' ironic humor2 should occasionally obscure his real meanings and, as a result, involve his readers in the engrossing task of ascertaining exactly what the author may or must have had in mind. Speculation as to the true purpose for which the Quijote was written, for example, is certainly an interesting case in p oint. Taken at literal face-value, Cervantes' frequent and emphatic reiterations that his sole purpose was to ridicule absurd novels of chivalry have led some, readers to believe that such was his real intent. Attempts to resolve the consequent dilemma of having to reconcile the grandeur of the book with the relative pettiness of the author's avowed purpose in writing it have evoked the conclusion that Cer-