'Don Quixote in England' Summary

Don Quixote in England is a satirical novel by Henry Fielding, first published in 1734. The novel follows the adventures of Don Quixote and Sancho Panza as they travel through England. Along the way, they encounter a variety of characters, including a country squire, a lawyer, a doctor, and a clergyman. Fielding uses these characters to satirize English society and its institutions. The novel begins with Don Quixote and Sancho Panza arriving at an inn in the English countryside. The innkeeper mistakes Don Quixote for a madman, and Sancho for his fool. Don Quixote is determined to prove his sanity by embarking on a series of adventures. He challenges a windmill to a duel, thinking it is a giant. He is defeated, but Sancho convinces him that he was actually fighting a windmill. Don Quixote and Sancho continue their travels, and they soon meet a country squire named Sir Thomas Loveland. Sir Thomas is a kind and hospitable man, but Don Quixote believes that he is a knight errant in disguise. Don Quixote challenges Sir Thomas to a duel, but Sir Thomas refuses. Don Quixote is disappointed, but Sancho convinces him that Sir Thomas is not a knight errant. Don Quixote and Sancho continue their travels, and they soon meet a lawyer named Brief. Brief is a greedy and dishonest man, and Don Quixote believes that he is a sorcerer. Don Quixote challenges Brief to a duel, but Brief refuses. Don Quixote is disappointed, but Sancho convinces him that Brief is not a sorcerer. Don Quixote and Sancho continue their travels, and they soon meet a doctor named Dr. Drench. Dr. Drench is a quack, and Don Quixote believes that he is a poisoner. Don Quixote challenges Dr. Drench to a duel, but Dr. Drench refuses. Don Quixote is disappointed, but Sancho convinces him that Dr. Drench is not a poisoner. Don Quixote and Sancho continue their travels, and they soon meet a clergyman named Mr. Sneak. Mr. Sneak is a hypocrite, and Don Quixote believes that he is a devil. Don Quixote challenges Mr. Sneak to a duel, but Mr. Sneak refuses. Don Quixote is disappointed, but Sancho convinces him that Mr. Sneak is not a devil. Don Quixote and Sancho continue their travels, and they soon meet a beautiful woman named Dorothea. Dorothea is in love with a man named Fernando, but Fernando has abandoned her. Don Quixote believes that Dorothea is a damsel in distress, and he vows to rescue her. Don Quixote and Sancho set out to find Fernando, and they eventually find him in London. Fernando is a cruel and heartless man, and Don Quixote challenges him to a duel. Fernando accepts, and the two men fight. Don Quixote is defeated, but Sancho convinces Fernando to spare his life. Don Quixote and Sancho return to the inn, and they soon meet a group of actors. The actors are performing a play about Don Quixote, and Don Quixote believes that the play is about him. Don Quixote is so flattered by the play that he decides to become an actor. Don Quixote and Sancho join the actors, and they travel to London to perform the play. The play is a success, and Don Quixote becomes a famous actor. He performs the play for the king and queen, and he is knighted by the king. Don Quixote is finally happy, and he lives out the rest of his days as a respected actor.