Don Quijote’s main theme is the development of love relationships between males & females, as well as the various consequences. Many of the stories found in the text are actually driven by love. Don Quijote’s actions were allegedly triggered by his love and devotion to Dulcinea del Toboso. Cervantes criticizes the notion of courtly and real love throughout the book. Cervantes claims that courtly love can’t be created under false pretenses, phony emotions, or between two people with equal respect and understanding.
The story of Marcela, a shepherdess, is the first to feature love. Her extraordinary beauty ignites the desire of all who see her. Grisostomo, a former student, falls for this woman because of her extraordinary beauty. This attraction is purely sexual and not rooted in any kind of human love. Eventually, Grisostomo is overcome by his feelings and ends up in a state where he can no longer bear it. Although this may sound absurd, Cervantes does not attempt to romanticize the situation. Pedro tells Don Quijote his story. “No, she was such a careful about her honour that, out of all those that wooed/courted her, none ever boasted — and in reality not one could boast – that they’d given her even one tiny, smallest possibility of getting the things she wanted.” (66). Marcela’s coyness should be automatically dismissed by acknowledging this statement. She does nothing to entice men into her love, and therefore she is not responsible for any of the physical consequences.
Marcela is the object of many people’s affections. They become so focused on their desires that they don’t realize where the fault lies and blame Marcela. Pedro states, just a few words after his previous statement on Marcela’s inability not to lead her suitors forward, that she “does more damage here on earth than if the plague struck her.” (66). Many people feel guilty for Marcela’s death. Sometimes, they even act as if she was murdering him. Pg. 67. One of the men refers a Marcela to as “the murderous shepard”, while Ambrosio’s best friend Grisostomo places the responsibility for Marcela’s fate. He stated, “It wasn’t here…where Marcela so disrespectfully, so bluntly ended it and drove him away from the tragedy of his life.” (72).
Although many would blame Marcela’s death on Grisostomo for his, Cervantes subtly criticizes Marcela’s actions by portraying her suitors as irrational. He doesn’t want to make us feel bad for Grisostomo; he simply uses his death to highlight the ridiculous consequences of courtly or physical love.
Marcela’s words speak the truth and clearly illustrate Cervantes’ view. Marcela defends herself saying that Heaven…has made my beauty so that I am moved…but that is because love is required for those who love it. Marcela, probably Cervantes’s eyes, then explains the difference between love and desire. She states “…for beauty alone does not incite love…But, it does not encourage affection…And from what I have heard, true, divisible love must be voluntary and not forced. (77). Marcela does not love the people she loves, and does not try to fulfill their desires. Marcela cannot be held responsible for Grisostomo’s demise. He was a victim his own false views of love.
Perhaps the most beautiful example of Cervantes’ true love is the love between Cardenio, Luscinda. Cardenio states that their love is mutual and that they have a deep connection. Cardenio suffers from schizophrenia after Don Fernando robs Luscinda of him. His afflictions are very similar to those of Grisostomo. Cardenio, however, is in a better position because Luscinda still loves him. Cervantes allows Cardenio to be with Luscinda again, instead of allowing him to endure a similar fate like Grisostomo.
Don Fernando’s story shows how false love can be destructive. He is incapable of controlling his desire, which leads to doom for Luscinda, Cardenio as well as Dorotea. Don Fernando first desires Dorotea. He tells Dorotea that he loves her and asks her to follow his lead. Dorotea claims that Don Fernando did not love her since he could not see him. These feelings Don Fernando experienced were based on lust. Dorotea was convinced that he would sleep with him if Dorotea promised to marry him.
Don Fernando turns his attention to Luscinda when he steals her from Cardenio’s clutches and marries her. Because true love is not involved, this marriage is not likely to last.
All of these characters end up in a happy ending when Dorotea convinces Don Fernando she should be his wife. She asserts that love must exist between people who share equal affections. Luscinda eventually ends up with Cardenio; Dorotea ends-up with Don Fernando. These two pairings satisfy true love’s requirements.
It does not work in the actual events of Don Quijote. However, the priest’s read of “The Story of the Man Who Caught from Prying” by Cervantes is vital in understanding the novel’s view of love. This tragic tale clearly shows the dangers of wanting a woman who matches one’s ideal of courtly love and a perfect lover. Anselmo requests Lothario to give Camila a pass to prove his loyalty and faithfulness. Anselmo isn’t right to suspect Camila, but he just wants to live up to his ideal of a beautiful woman. It is a terrible mistake. Lothario becomes Camila’s lover and falls in love with her. Camila suspects Anselmo may find out and so she and Lothario flee, leaving Anselmo in the ashes of their love. Like Grisostomo he dies from the pain he feels, but he eventually realizes the futility of his actions. His final words are: “A stubborn and stupid wish took my life.” Camila might hear about my death and she should know that I’m sorry Anselmo has come to the realization that love can be shared by people who are not perfect Anselmo wants to send this message.
Don Quijote is a place where stories of love abound. These tales all have one thing in common: true romantic love is only possible when there are genuine feelings of compassion and equality. Characters who mistake love for desire or are blinded by the old-fashioned vision of courtly love will suffer. The ones who find happiness are those who have a romantic relationship based on genuine feelings and affection. Cervantes attacks the old notions that courtly love is a relationship in which lovers can declare their love without knowing each other, and where women are expected not to conform to certain and unattainable standards. He believes in a more romantic vision of romance that is full of genuine human emotions and feelings.