quarta-feira, 6 de novembro de 2013

Donkeys in Literature

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
               

               Electronic Resources:
                Donkeys in films
                Don Quixote and Dapple

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