Puss Reboots: Blog: January 2009: Don Quixote: Q and Sancho Panza Strike Back

Don Quixote: Q and Sancho Panza Strike Back: 01/10/09
Last night while I was reading through Book One of the Part Two of Don Quixote de la Mancha I realized that probably every single literary and cinematic cliche can be found in this very long volume. I'm not suggesting that Cervantes single handedly invented all of these clichés and jokes, just that he has managed to cement them all in his novel for everyone to remember.

The first book of the second half of the book finds Sr. Quxada and Sancho Panza still at home discussing all their adventures. Much to their surprise they have found that their story has been published as a series of popular novels. First they are impressed. Then they are pissed. They must go out again to clear their names (and see how the fair Dulcinea is doing).

In reading through the first eight chapters of this section I was reminded of Space Balls, specially the "now, now" gag with the video tapes but the goofy camaraderie between Sr. Quxada and Sancho Panza brought to mind Jay and Silent Bob (and specifically Jay and Silent Bob Strike Back). So much of Don Quixote is just Sr. Quxada dressed as Don Quixote and Sancho Panza hanging out at an Inn (or outside if they have worn out their welcome) talking shit and watching real life happen in front of their eyes.

Since Quixote does 99% of the talking, he's clearly Jay, leaving Sancho Panza as Silent Bob. In chapters four and five, the narrator breaks in to question Sancho's sudden ability to speak eruditely and implies that perhaps Sancho is profiting off his adventures with Sr. Quxada by either writing the novels under a pen name or selling the stories to the Moor who has taken credit for them. Is Sancho Panza directing the show just like Kevin Smith (aka Silent Bob) is?

I hope you enjoyed my tongue in cheek comparison of Don Quixote to Jay and Silent Bob. I'll be back next week with the next installment. We still have 350 pages to go! I will be updating my Quixote gallery as time permits.