the cousin

Role: scholar and guide · First appears: Part 2, Ch. 22.1

In Part 2, Ch. 22.1, the cousin is introduced to Don Quixote as a famous scholar and a reader of books of chivalry, who will guide him to the cave of Montesinos and the lakes of Ruidera. He describes himself as a humanist whose studies include preparing books for the press, “all of great utility and no less entertainment to the nation.” He travels with Sancho Panza, who helps prepare the animals and provisions for the journey.

In Part 2, Ch. 22.2, at the cave, the cousin and Sancho Panza lower Don Quixote into its depths by rope. They later haul him out, and when he remains unconscious, they roll, shake, and pull him until he awakens from what seems to be a deep sleep.

Relationship record

Life events

Don Quixote is lowered into the cave by Sancho Panza and the cousin.(Part 2, Ch. 22.2 · 📍 cave of Montesinos)
- With: Don Quixote Sancho Panza
- “the cousin and Sancho giving him rope, he lowered himself into the depths of the dread cavern”
Sancho Panza and the cousin haul Don Quixote out of the cave.(Part 2, Ch. 22.2 · 📍 cave of Montesinos)
- With: Don Quixote Sancho Panza
- “at last, at ten fathoms more, they saw Don Quixote distinctly, and Sancho called out to him”
Don Quixote awakens after being pulled from the cave unconscious.(Part 2, Ch. 22.2 · 📍 cave of Montesinos)
- With: Don Quixote Sancho Panza
- “after some time he came to himself, stretching himself just as if he were waking up from a deep and sound sleep”

Part 2, Ch. 22.1

friends with Don Quixote “On the way Don Quixote asked the cousin of what sort and character his pursuits, avocations, and studies were, to which he replied that he was by profession a humanist, and that his pursuits and studies were making books for the press, all of great utility and no less entertainment to the nation.”
friends with Sancho Panza “The cousin arrived at last, leading an ass in foal, with a pack-saddle covered with a parti-coloured carpet or sackcloth; Sancho saddled Rocinante, got Dapple ready, and stocked his alforjas, along with which went those of the cousin, likewise well filled; and so, commending themselves to God and bidding farewell to all, they set out, taking the road for the famous cave of Montesinos.”
with Don Quixote (The cousin serves as Don Quixote's guide to the cave of Montesinos.) “The licentiate said he would get him a cousin of his own, a famous scholar, and one very much given to reading books of chivalry, who would have great pleasure in conducting him to the mouth of the very cave, and would show him the lakes of Ruidera, which were likewise famous all over La Mancha, and even all over Spain;”
pupil: Don Quixote “The licentiate said he would get him a cousin of his own, a famous scholar, and one very much given to reading books of chivalry, who would have great pleasure in conducting him to the mouth of the very cave, and would show him the lakes of Ruidera, which were likewise famous all over La Mancha, and even all over Spain;”

Part 2, Ch. 22.2

pupil: Don Quixote (The cousin advises and instructs Don Quixote before the descent.) “the cousin told Don Quixote, adding, that if he was bent upon entering it, it would be requisite for him to provide himself with ropes, so that he might be tied and lowered into its depths.”
friends with Don Quixote (Don Quixote, Sancho, and the cousin eat together sociably.) “They spread the cousin’s sackcloth on the grass, and put the stores of the alforjas into requisition, and all three sitting down lovingly and sociably, they made a luncheon and a supper of it all in one;”
friends with Sancho Panza (Sancho, Don Quixote, and the cousin eat together sociably.) “They spread the cousin’s sackcloth on the grass, and put the stores of the alforjas into requisition, and all three sitting down lovingly and sociably, they made a luncheon and a supper of it all in one;”
protégé: Don Quixote (The cousin helps retrieve and revive Don Quixote after the cave descent.) “They stretched him on the ground and untied him, but still he did not awake; however, they rolled him back and forwards and shook and pulled him about, so that after some time he came to himself, stretching himself just as if he were waking up from a deep and sound sleep,”

Part 2, Ch. 24.1

friends with Don Quixote “I, Señor Don Quixote of La Mancha, look upon the time I have spent in travelling with your worship as very well employed, for I have gained four things in the course of it;”

Part 2, Ch. 24.2

friends with Don Quixote (They travel together as companions.) “Accordingly they mounted and all three took the direct road for the inn, which they reached a little before nightfall.”
friends with Sancho Panza (They travel together as companions.) “Accordingly they mounted and all three took the direct road for the inn, which they reached a little before nightfall.”

Part 2, Ch. 24.3

friends with Sancho Panza “which was what Sancho and the cousin proceeded to do for their beasts, giving the best manger and the best place in the stable to Rocinante.”

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Extracted from the original text of Don Quixote (Ormsby's translation). Made with Rho MD.