Camacho

Also known as: Camacho the Rich / Camacho the rich / rich Camacho / the bridegroom / the rich Camacho · Role: bridegroom · First appears: Part 2, Ch. 19.1

In Part 2, Ch. 19.1, Quiteria’s father arranged her marriage to Camacho, and Basilio, learning that she would marry “Camacho the rich,” was overcome with despair. Their wedding was expected in the cool of the morning, while Camacho’s wealth made him a patron to Sancho Panza at the celebrations, where, as the cook put it, “Camacho’s wealth and happiness furnish everything.”

In Ch. 21.1, Camacho consented to Quiteria marrying Basilio if she wished, accepting that this only postponed his own wedding fulfillment. Don Quixote declared that it would be to Camacho’s honour to receive Quiteria as Basilio’s widow, but after her rejection Camacho banished her from his thoughts.

In Ch. 21.2, Camacho and his supporters attacked Basilio with drawn swords, until Don Quixote led the protection of him. The counsel of the curate then prevailed: Camacho and his partisans were pacified, sheathed their swords, and abandoned the conflict. In Ch. 67.2, Camacho’s wedding remained an example of plenty encountered by Don Quixote.