The Rival Freedoms of Don Quixote

Abstract

I view Don Quixote as a representative of Eric Nelson's 'Greek' view of freedom and Sancho Panza as an embodiment of Quentin Skinner's 'neo-Roman' view. Each has their worldview challenged by their adventures such that their view- points become reversed by the climax of the novel. I point to the Greek tradition's entanglement in the Spanish conquest of the Americas as a reason Cervantes would wish to divest his main character of the Greek view. Accordingly, I suggest that the concept of penance plays a crucial role in how the author positions the rival traditions in relation to Spanish history.