La más ruidosa aventura ("Quijote", I, XX)

Abstract

The "adventure" ofthe batanes (fulling machine) (!,XX) proves how an ordinary event may turn into something extraordinary. In order for such thing to happen fantasy or imagination are essential, but sensorial perception is also needed, and then the narrative approaches the domain of drama. lf both music and harrnonic voices are significant in Don Quixote, noise, that may stand for chaos and also for thought disorder are important as well. In this chapter Don Quixote construes-thanks to his own perception, influenced by his fantasy-an adventure in which a new relationship between knight and squire is established. The knight's meditation on story-telling when he comments on Sancho's tales blends grotesque and scatological elements in an uncertain and dark atmosphere, whose explanation offers new perspectives in the interpretation of the literary contract between the two characters.