Don Quixote, Prologue summary
Prologue of 129 · 10 min to read the chapter
In Prologue, the narrator hesitates to present Don Quixote because his book lacks scholarly references and prestigious praise, but a friend dismisses these worries and offers easy remedies. The narrator accepts his advice, presenting a story whose stated purpose is to challenge the authority of books of chivalry.
What happens
- The narrator compares his book to a flawed child and gives readers freedom to judge it.
- He describes his struggle to write a preface and tells a visiting friend why he considers withholding the story.
- The friend suggests inventing flattering verses, borrowing quotations, and copying lists of authorities to supply an appearance of learning.
- He then argues that these additions are unnecessary for a work directed against books of chivalry.
- The narrator accepts the advice and introduces Don Quixote of La Mancha and his squire, Sancho Panza.
Free for 3 months
Get the full summary of Don Quijote, free
- 200,000+ classics as eBooks, audiobooks and 15-minute summaries, and print and large print at cost
- Up to 5 readers in your home on one plan
Starten Sie 90 Tage kostenlosNothing to pay today. 0,14 USD a day in the first year, then 0,27 USD a day.
In this chapter
Quick check
What purpose does the friend assign to the narrator’s book?
Free for 3 months
Get the full summary of Don Quijote, free
- 200,000+ classics as eBooks, audiobooks and 15-minute summaries, and print and large print at cost
- Up to 5 readers in your home on one plan
Starten Sie 90 Tage kostenlosNothing to pay today. 0,14 USD a day in the first year, then 0,27 USD a day.
200,000+ classics to read, hear and hold
15-minute summaries today, eBooks and audiobooks as each book opens, and printed books, large print included, at cost.
Try 3 months free
