Don Quixote, Chapter 39 summary

What happens

1. The captive’s father divides his property, and his three sons choose military service, trade, and study or the Church.
2. The captive returns much of his inheritance, leaves home, and serves in Flanders before joining Don Juan of Austria’s campaign.
3. During a victorious naval battle, he boards an enemy galley alone, suffers wounds, and becomes Uchalí’s prisoner.
4. As an enslaved rower, he witnesses further campaigns and recounts the fall of La Goleta and the fort near Tunis.
5. He recalls sharing captivity with Don Pedro de Aguilar, who writes two sonnets about the fallen strongholds.
6. Don Pedro’s brother confirms his escape and prosperity, then agrees to recite the sonnets.

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