The Dukes invent an island to mock Sancho. The plan backfires: the peasant governs better than the nobles who manipulate him.
The farce of the Dukes
Ínsula Baratária is fictional: a small fiefdom of the Dukes renamed for fun. They appoint Sancho governor hoping for comedy at the naive squire's expense.
Sancho governs with common sense
The result surprises. Sancho judges difficult cases with practical prudence and resolves conflicts with popular wisdom. The satire is clear: the simple man, when not corrupted, governs with more judgment than the elite who use him.
The resignation
In the end, Sancho realizes the manipulation and resigns from the government, returning to being a more mature squire. Leaving is a gesture of dignity: wisdom is not a privilege of birth or title.
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What is Baratária Insula?
It is the fictional island that the Dukes give to Sancho Panza to mock him. It's actually their little fiefdom, renamed for farce.
Was Sancho a good governor?
Yes, surprisingly. He judges with common sense and resolves disputes with popular wisdom, showing more judgment than the nobility that manipulates him.
Did Baratária Island really exist?
No. It is an invention within the novel, part of the farces that the Dukes set up for Don Quixote and Sancho.
Continue: Don Quixote, Part 2: summary and analysis · The Idiot, the Russian Don Quixote · The lion episode in Don Quixote
Source class (YouTube): Dom Quixote, Parte Dois (NousCast)