In the story of Don Quixote by Miguel de Cervantes, his main character, Don Quixote, has a curious and loyal side-kick who follows along with other intentions, yet relating to an everyday man.
Sancho Panza serves as a great foil character due to the fact that he offsets Don Quixote so well. While Quixote is often serious and hard in thought, Sancho is light hearted and of quick wit. Like most men during this time period Sancho chases after thoughts and dreams through hard work and lives a good Christian life. During his time as Quixote’s squire he finds that although the man is indeed mad he has good intentions and follows after him through curious loyalty.
Sancho and Don Quixote complement each other rather well. Where Sancho is realistic he follows Quixote out of loyalty. Don Quixote motives are made only because of a fair maiden that only exists in his head. Sancho who is married stays truthful and vigilant to his wife while on these travels. Both share few things in common and one of those things is chivalry. Even though Don Quixote believes himself to be a knight and Sancho his squire, Sancho knows the truth and sees things realistic. Meaning to Sancho a windmill is just a windmill but to Don Quixote it is an Enchanter trying to hide himself from the great and powerful Quixote. Quixote can often be very serious and at times a danger to himself and others but Sancho is always there to try and cool his lord’s jets. Though Sancho is greedy in some ways he can often be found having himself cut short in his ways by Quixote who is ever so polite and tries to be helpful by rescuing everyone from the demons who try to harm the world.
In all Sancho Panza is a very good foil character to Miguel de Cervantes’ character, Don Quixote. One character does not outweigh the other but rather complement one another in their actions. Quixote in the end helps Sancho to have a little fun in his