Throughout the 16th century, the poetics of friendship served as a crucial literary narrative structure across various genres. Spain, during this golden age politically and literarily, was simultaneously facing numerous crises, undergoing a period of transformation marked by commercialization, urbanization, and social upheaval. Cervantes sought to re-establish the foundations of this unstable society through the value of friendship.
Don Quixote and Sancho exhibit contrasting characteristics that seem unlikely to complement each other. Don Quixote views the world through the lens of chivalric literature and pursues ideals, yet he is a wandering knight consumed by delusions. Sancho, a simple peasant, displays a realistic and practical attitude. The contrasting personalities, values, worldviews, and social statuses of the two create both comical and serious conflicts. Whenever the realist Sancho questions his master's idealistic fantasies, repeated arguments ensue. Don Quixote becomes angry and criticizes his squire for his lack of faith.
The tension and conflict arising from their differences are not surprising; perhaps they are even inevitable. Looking back at history, conflicts within families, societies, or between nations have mostly stemmed from differences. This remains the case today. However, being different does not imply that someone is wrong. Rather, it is a fundamental principle of creation. God created various creatures on each of the six days. Basil of Caesarea, in his work "Homilies on the Six Days of Creation," stated that the diverse natural world is like "a book" in which we can read God's wisdom.
The unique purpose of creation, considered a second scripture, is not one of conflict and competition, chaos and relativism, or random events. It is a symbol that reveals the goodness and order of the Creator. They do not exist in isolation but achieve unity within the Creator's order. The differences between Don Quixote and Sancho, which caused conflict and disputes, ultimately lead to unity through the value of friendship on their journey.
Although they faced numerous disputes and conflicts during their adventures, they accepted and respected each other's perspectives. By overcoming barriers through honest dialogue, they achieved unity of heart.
In 16th-century Europe, nobles possessed moral authority simply because of their status, regardless of their character. Conversely, people from lower social classes, regardless of talent, lacked social standing.
Don Quixote, a nobleman, and Sancho, a peasant, were bound by a relationship of command and obedience, yet Sancho often offered wise advice that contradicted his master's orders. Don Quixote, asserting his moral authority, disregarded Sancho's common-sense wisdom, leading to conflict. When Sancho used proverbs, Don Quixote rebuked him, saying, "Proverbs condense the wisdom of the ages, but you often force them into situations where they seem like foolishness rather than wisdom."
Interestingly, however, every time Don Quixote ignored Sancho's advice, both suffered social humiliation and physical punishment. As their adventures unfold and time passes, the hierarchical distinctions between Don Quixote and Sancho Panza gradually blur. Eventually, Don Quixote treats Sancho as an equal conversational partner and advisor. He even addresses him as “friend”, “son”, and even “friend and guide".
This opened the possibility for true friendship to transcend social class and status.
The early Church also sought to overcome differences among people on the basis of ethnicity, class, gender, and social status. Saint Gregory criticized the strife and division caused by inequalities between the rich and the poor, and between men and women, arguing that these originated after the fall from paradise.
Saint Justin Martyr, in his First Apology, states that “we who formerly hated and harmed one another and refused to live with people of other races because of differing customs, now live intimately with one another since the coming of Christ,” emphasizing that Christianity broke down many of the barriers of racial and ethnic conflict.
In his letter to the Galatian church, which was experiencing conflict between Jews and Gentiles, the Apostle Paul writes that in Christ “there is neither Jew nor Gentile, neither slave nor free, nor is there male and female” (3:28). He relativizes role distinctions, teaching fundamental equality.
Despite the seemingly insurmountable differences, what does it mean to be one in Christ? Saint Augustine, in his "Confessions," defined friendship as "one soul dwelling in two bodies." Despite their differences, they share the same values and become close friends. In the opening of Part Two, in the famous scene where Sancho insists to his master that a country girl is the enchanted Princess Dulcinea, we see a transformation: the servant now uses his imagination to create magic, so as not to shatter his master's idealized worldview of chivalry.
Furthermore, when Don Quixote, tricked by his family's schemes, returns to reality, losing his zest for life and 'dying', Sancho earnestly pleads with him to embark on another adventure. "Don't die, Master. The greatest folly a man can commit in this world is to let himself die without trying anything more." Sancho now prioritizes his master's idealistic vision over his own empirical reality, internalizing his master's values. In their journey toward friendship, Sancho gradually embraces idealism, becoming "Don Quixote-like," while Don Quixote gains a sense of reality, becoming "Sancho-like"; ultimately, the two are connected by the same spirit.
Initially, Sancho followed Don Quixote in hopes of material rewards, but the two came to care for and respect each other and, despite adversity, never abandoned one another, achieving a unity of spirit as equal friends. The most important element that allowed this process to continue and reach its destination was dialogue. Although their conversations often led to conflict—due to Sancho's clumsy proverbs, complaints, and blatant questioning of his master's delusions, and Don Quixote's absurd monologues and reprimands—their dialogue was honest and never ceased. As a result, they became true friends.
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