ABSTRACT. In outstandingly “modern” terms, Don Quixote is regarded as one of the best-selling novels of all times. At first sight, there seems to be a classical relationship between the master and his servant, one which has not suffered great shifts from its initial implications in the Middle Ages. The servant is meant to be submissive to his master, while the latter is at liberty to physically or verbally abuse him. Nonetheless, the interaction between the two of them does not rely on simplicity, but rather on meanderings and evolves throughout the novel in such a way that they gradually become inseparable friends. Don Quixote and Sancho are endowed with very different personalities. While Don Quixote is educated, unselfish, idealist and brave, Sancho is not even able to read, as he is depicted as ignorant, gullible, materialistic and lacking bravery.

Keywords: dichotomy; Don Quixote; personality; Sancho Panza; sanity; madness