Summary
The History of Don Quixote, Volume 1 introduces Alonso Quixano, a country gentleman from La Mancha who becomes consumed by books of chivalry. Inspired (and deranged) by these tales, he renames himself Don Quixote, dons old armor, and declares himself a knight-errant.
He rides out with the goal of reviving knighthood and defending the helpless — all while mistaking everyday objects and people for figures of fantasy.
His first squire, a laborer named Sancho Panza, joins him with the promise of an island to govern.
Sancho provides comic balance and rustic wisdom to Don Quixote’s lofty ideals.
Together, they stumble from one misadventure to the next: mistaking windmills for giants, flocks of sheep for enemy armies, and innkeepers for lords.
This volume ends with Don Quixote being tricked into returning home in a cage, escorted by his friends and the priest, in hopes of curing him of his madness.