Don Quixote Analysis - Chapters XI-XX and Juan Palomeque's Inn - Lecture 5

Delve into a comprehensive analysis of Cervantes' Don Quixote in this hour-long lecture from Yale University. Explore the subtle irony in the novel's depiction of a prosaic world, focusing on the pivotal episode at Juan Palomeque's inn. Examine how this scene serves as a microcosm of the entire first part, showcasing the subversion of social norms by erotic desire and revealing literature's subconscious. Investigate the unique characters drawn from picaresque literature and juridical documents, noting their physical imperfections that paradoxically enhance their appeal. Discover how Don Quixote and Sancho's bodily functions dramatize their primal life forces, and interpret the inn's ramshackle architecture as a symbol of the novel's seemingly improvised yet cosmically connected structure. Gain insights into Cervantes' notorious errors and observe the evolving relationship between the protagonist and his squire.