the innkeeper

Also known as: Sir Castellan / castellan / her master / host / husband / landlord / the Alcaide of the fortress / the host · Family: the inn · Role: innkeeper · First appears: Part 1, Ch. 2.2

In Part 1, Ch. 2.2, the innkeeper receives Don Quixote at the inn, offering lodging despite having no bed: “Señor Caballero, if your worship wants lodging, bating the bed (for there is not one in the inn) there is plenty of everything else here.” He feeds him stockfish, bread, and wine, then agrees to dub him a knight, arranges for him to watch his armour in the courtyard, and performs the accolade and sword-blow. When Don Quixote leaves without paying, the innkeeper lets him go with a Godspeed, but later demands payment from Sancho Panza, keeping his alforjas when Sancho Panza also refuses.

At the inn, the innkeeper employs Maritornes and is married to the landlady, who tends the injured Don Quixote with their daughter. During the night’s disturbance, he chastises Maritornes and joins the muleteer, Sancho Panza, and Maritornes in a fight. He later recognizes Don Quixote as the mad guest sought by the curate, serves meals to the curate, Dorothea, Cardenio, the barber, Don Fernando, Luscinda, Zoraida, the captive, and Juan Perez de Viedma, and agrees to let the curate copy a manuscript if he enjoys it. When Don Quixote ruins his wine-skins, the innkeeper attacks him until Cardenio and the curate restrain him, insists that Don Quixote and Sancho Panza pay, and is later compensated by the curate and Don Fernando for the wine, wine-skins, and other damage. He also demands payment from two departing guests, who beat him, and prepares Rocinante and Sancho Panza’s ass when Don Quixote is carried away in a cage; before the departure, he gives the curate papers found in a valise.

In Part 2, Ch. 25–26, the innkeeper welcomes Ginés de Pasamonte as Master Pedro and asks after the ape and show. He serves as an arbitrator over the damaged figures, while Sancho Panza, by Don Quixote’s orders, pays Ginés de Pasamonte before leaving the inn.