Philosophy Discussion Forums

Like the awakening from a dream, when the burning the sun drives the morning mist away, the harsh reality of our life becomes so much clearer. To sleep, perchance to dream.

But we all know that we do not live in a perfect world and those who attempt to are martyred, as they must be for the human condition is a tragic one. But through this tragedy, others are redeemed. Hence Sancho Panza and the doctor, inspired by Quixote, carry the torch he lit, and we who read it are also redeemed. It could the infantile wish to stay young and iresponsible which lies within us all. I prefer to think of it as that irreconsilable element of romantic joy, call it out Buddha nature, delivers us from the despair of life's absurdity.

XavierAlex wrote:Cervantes has Quixote on his deathbed repent and realize that all he was doing was foolish, yet Sancho Panza and, I think, the doctor, among others wish he stayed the foolish knight idealizing, romanticizing. I was always intrigued and never understood this ending, but according to this thread, it would seem to me that it stands for something or represents something?"quote

" What is this scene? Is it the desires of everyone that harsh reality shouldn't come crashing down? Is it that this Quixotic view parallels the ideal world and a religious view?

"XavierAlex"

Spot on, I often feel like I am talking to Don Quixote whenever the topic of religion comes up with my religious friends-- and I sometimes wonder how on earth do they survive in the real world, to my amazement, fine.--lol!!

Both are good and are not mutually exclusive .Romantic imagination and reasoning know how are compatible.Times and seasons.