Sancho Panza
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Sancho Panza ("Sancho Paunch") is the squire of famous parodial knight-errant Don Quixote in the same-named novel by Spanish author Miguel de Cervantes.
As the actual servant of Don Quixote before his madness, Panza follows his master whom reading too many romances made insane. Quixote's imagination turns Panza from a devoted servant to a squire, as it turns him from an estate owner to a knight. Panza is a lower class character who does not share his master's delusions but who follows faithfully, hoping for material benefits. Sancho's comments during the novel are often full of broad humor, Spanish proverbs and common sensical observations. Additionally, Panza offers interpolated narratives into the tale. As a character, he has become synonymous with sidekick and of practicity versus idealism.
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Name
Sancho is named variously in the first book, e.g. Sancho Zancas ("Legs"). When Cervantes wrote the second book in reply to the publication of the Avellaneda sequel, he standardized on "Sancho Panza". At some point of the book, Sancho points that the "false" Avellaneda book, uses a wrong name for his wife (standardized as "Teresa Panza").
Second book
The promised ínsula
In the second book, Don Quixote promises Sancho the governance of an ínsula (archaism for "isle"). Sancho does not know the word, but expects it a prize worth of the pains he has been enduring. When the pair meets a couple of prankster dukes, Sancho's dream is fulfilled. The dukes send Sancho as governor of one of their fiefs, renamed as ínsula Barataria (roughly "isle Easy-comes-ia"). A letter from Don Quixote advices Sancho on governorship. It may be inspired by the Diálogo de Mercurio y Caron attirbuted to Juan de Valdés. Servants of the dukes are instructed to play several pranks on him. Surprisingly, Sancho rules justly and applies common sense and practical wisdom. However, a fake invasion is staged. While Sancho's troops eventually win the battle, he becomes wary of the troubles of rulers, and resigns to join Don Quixote. Cervantes uses this episode to satirize on politics and medicine.
Sancho and Ricote
During his travels, Sancho meets Ricote, his former Morisco neighbour. Ricote, like the rest of Moriscos, was expelled from Spain, and has returned in disguise to unearth the treasure he hid. He asks Sancho's help. Sancho, while sympathetic to him, refuses to betray his king.
Character evolution
As the story goes, Sancho gets "Quixotized", and starts to behave idealistically.
When Don Quixote is in his deathbed, Sancho tries to encourage him and proposes that they become pastoral shepherds.