Sancho Panza

Also known as: Brother Sancho / Don Sancho Panza / Friend Panza / Friend Sancho / Friend Sancho Panza / Governor Sancho / Panza / SANCHO PANZA THE GOVERNOR / Sancho / Sancho Panza the Governor / Sancho Zancas / Sancho my friend / Sancho my son / Sancho’s / Señor Panza / Señor Sancho / Señor Sancho Panza / Señor governor / brother Panza / brother Sancho / brother squire / friend Sancho / good Sancho / governor / his good squire / his master / his squire / little Sancho / master mine / my friend / my good Sancho / my master / my master’s squire / my son / my squire / my squire Sancho / my squire here / señor governor / shepherd Pancino / squire / the governor / the great Sancho Panza / the great governor / the new governor / the poor squire / the servant / worthy Sancho / your lordship / your master · Family: La Mancha · Role: esquire · First appears: Part 1, Ch. 7.2

In Part 1, Ch. 7, Sancho Panza leaves Teresa Panza and their children to become Don Quixote’s esquire after being promised an island governorship: “On these and the like promises Sancho Panza (for so the labourer was called) left wife and children, and engaged himself as esquire to his neighbour.” He takes Dapple with him, helps Don Quixote after falls and defeats, carries provisions, tends the animals, and repeatedly suffers beatings, blanket-tossing, hunger, and other hardships. He also advises his master, sometimes restraining him from danger, and remains with him even after being struck for mocking the adventure of the fulling hammers.

Through Part 1, Sancho serves Don Quixote while seeking the promised government, though he briefly exchanges it for the recipe for the balsam. In the Sierra Morena he carries messages to Dulcinea del Toboso, loses and later recovers Dapple from Ginés de Pasamonte, receives gold from Don Quixote, and helps the curate and the barber bring his master away from his penance. He gives food to Andres and Cardenio, intervenes in fights, challenges Dorothea’s claim to be queen, and repeatedly reconciles with Don Quixote after quarrels.

In Part 2, Sancho returns to Don Quixote’s service after discussing his family’s future with Teresa Panza, Sanchico, and Sanchica. He deceives Don Quixote about Dulcinea del Toboso by presenting a peasant girl as the enchanted lady, then travels with his master through further adventures, including the cave of Montesinos, the failed boat expedition, and the staged journey on Clavileño. At the estate of the duke and the duchess, he is appointed governor of Barataria in Don Quixote’s name; he hears Don Quixote’s counsels, settles disputes, makes ordinances, and rules while Doctor Pedro Recio de Aguero restricts his food. After seven days, an arranged invasion and the burdens of government lead him to resign, return to Don Quixote’s service, and refuse Ricote’s offer to help recover buried treasure.