Donkeys are amazingly depicted in
many kinds of literature. There are plenty of children books encompassing these
animals in stories that provide a moral end, teaching kids some values needed
in society.
Adult Literature also holds donkeys
as important or main characters in many stories, such as in Shakespeare’s masterpiece
“A Midsummer Night’s Dream”, in which Bottom, a weaver, receives a sort of
prank that converts his human head in a donkey’s face. This story popularized
the notion of “ass” as an insult meaning stupid, rude or clumsy.
Bottom with head of a donkey
in Shakespeare work
However, in “Don Quixote”,
Cervantes’ masterpiece, a well-known character among the main characters (Don
Quixote, and Sancho Panza) was Dapple, Sancho Panza’s donkey. This story evoked
a more positive way of seeing this animal. Indeed, Dapple was characterized as
a jittery and easily frightened donkey. However, he faced tough moments with
his human companions, such as being pelted or falling into a hole. Despite the suffering along their journey, this donkey was steady and extremely loyal.
Sancho Panza was depicted as having a special bond with Dapple, talking to him
when traveling, protecting him, hugging him, mourning when he was stolen by a
character named Gines de Pasamonte, etc. Sancho Panza frequently refers to
Dapple as an extra member of his family when he says that the animal is a “child
of his bowels, a treasure to his children, a delight to his wife, the ease of
his burdens”. One part of the story that completely describes the loyalty and
importance of Dapple is when Don Quixote is beaten, and the donkey carries the
bloody man until he recovers his strength to walk alone.
Analyzing Dapple’s role in “Don
Quixote”, we can infer that this specific species was chosen due to its
predominance and significance during that time in Europe. Donkeys were very
common in Spain, especially for carrying loads for people. Since this animal is
also a symbol of peacefulness and humility, it could be a representative of
humble peoples, who were depicted in the story. Cervantes could also
successfully represent Dapple in a realistic way, since donkeys are indeed very
loyal, respectful and companions.
Don Quixote with his horse and
Sancho Panza with his loyal companion, Dapple, the donkey.
Metal work depicting Sancho
Panza with Dapple
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