Everyone is as God made him, and often a good deal worse

Everyone is as God made him, and often a good deal worse

The quote "Everyone is as God made him, and often a good deal worse" is a profound statement that can be applied to the characters in Miguel de Cervantes' famous novel, Don Quixote. In this novel, Cervantes explores the complexities of human nature and the idea that people are inherently flawed.

The protagonist of the novel, Don Quixote, is a perfect example of someone who is as God made him, but also a good deal worse. Don Quixote is a nobleman who becomes obsessed with the idea of becoming a knight-errant and embarking on chivalrous adventures. While his intentions are noble and he believes he is doing God's work by righting wrongs and defending the helpless, his actions often lead to chaos and destruction. Don Quixote's delusions and misguided sense of honor ultimately lead to his downfall and tragic end.

Similarly, the character of Sancho Panza, Don Quixote's loyal squire, is also as God made him, but often a good deal worse. Sancho is a simple peasant who is content with his humble life, but he is easily swayed by Don Quixote's grandiose ideas and becomes entangled in his master's mad quests. Despite his good intentions and loyalty to Don Quixote, Sancho often finds himself in absurd and dangerous situations, and his own flaws and weaknesses are exposed throughout the novel.

Cervantes uses these characters to explore the complexities of human nature and the idea that people are a mix of good and bad qualities. While Don Quixote and Sancho Panza are both flawed individuals, they also possess admirable qualities such as courage, loyalty, and a sense of honor. Through their adventures and misadventures, Cervantes shows that people are capable of both greatness and folly, and that it is often our flaws and weaknesses that define us as much as our virtues.