Daniel Ramirez > Recent Status Updates

That’s the kind of love, said Sancho, that I’ve heard in sermons we’re supposed to feel for our Lord — for his own sake, without being moved by hopes of glory or fears of punishment. Though I must say I’d prefer to love him and serve him for what he can do for me.
The devil take you, you peasant! said Don Quixote. What good sense you sometimes speak! Anyone would think you’d been to university! (285).

Update IV: In which Daniel acknowledges how genius and entertaining this book is, how deserving indeed it is of its time transcendent praise. Cervantes really is a comedic genius, and each new misadventure wholly captures my attention every time. So far my favorite chapters have been the barber and priest who burned Don Quixote’s books, the demise of the love stricken shepherd, and the battle at the castle (inn).

“But since Don Quixote’s sense of smell was as acute as his sense of hearing, and since Sancho was clinging so very close to him, it was inevitable that some of the fumes, rising almost in a straight line, would reach his nostrils, whereupon he went to their rescue by squeezing them between finger and thumb, and said in somewhat nasal tones:
‘It seems to me Sancho, that you are very frightened’” (160-161).

“‘Sir, do you think this might be that enchanted Moor come to punish us again, with some extra punches he forgot to throw the first time?’
‘It cannot be the Moor,’ replied Don Quixote, ‘because those who are enchanted do not allow anyone to see them.’
‘Maybe they don’t let anyone see them, but they let them feel them alright,’ said Sancho. ‘And if you don’t believe me, just ask my ribs’”

“‘Oh sir,’ cried the niece, ‘please have them burned like the rest, because it could well happen that once my uncle gets over his chivalry illness he starts reading all these other books and takes it into his head to become a shepherd and wander about the forests and meadows singing and playing music and, what would be even worse than that, turn into a poet, which they say is catching an incurable disease’

Cantar tercero: the Infantes are humiliated after fleeing when a lion breaks out of its “net.” The Cid’s vassals protect him while he sleeps but when he awakens, the lion bows its head to him and is meekly led to its net by the scruff of its neck. The infantes also prove themselves cowards in battle. As revenge, the brothers beat and desert the Cid’s daughters in an oak forest, but their cousin saves them.

El cantar segundo revolves around The Cid’s conquest of Valencia, taking it from King Yusuf of Morocco and installing a Christian bishop Jerome from France. King Alfonso allows his wife and daughters to join him in Valencia after proving vassalage, and Yusuf returns with 50k soldiers but is defeated again. The King finally pardons the Cid, and his daughters are married to the Infantes of Carrion.

El Cantar primero ends with the defeat of the Count of Barcelona. After the victory, The Cid promises to free the count if he will eat and drink wine or else he will never see Christendom again. For three days the count resists, but finally relents when The Cid allows him to ride away with two of his men as well. The count promises not to return for vengeance, he has already lost a year’s worth of booty to the cid

The Cid Ruy Diaz, Rodrigo Diaz de Vivar, who was knighted at a fortunate hour, is exiled from Castille by King Alfonso of Leon (and now Castille). He makes a deal with some moneylenders, leaves his wife and daughters at a monastery, and sets off. He wins at Castejon de Henares and then he defeats two moorish leaders commanding over 3000 men at Alcocer with 300 of his own. He sends 30 horses to the king with Minaya.

“I once saw a soldier with a leg wound, whose first thoughts were of the hole in his sheepskin coat, and a calvary man who crawled out from under his horse that had just been killed and unbuckled the girths to save the saddle” (65).

There aren’t enough sources to conjure up an academically satisfying history on early medieval Wales (6th-11th centuries). Tribal chiefs eventually became the welsh princes. roughly 4 major kingdoms: Gwynedd, Powys, Dyfed, and Deheubarth. Roman influence from the past. No equivalent to Irish ruiri or Anglo-saxon bretwalda. Ruling dynasty of Gwynedd highlighted. Hywell Dda and law. Saints, discipline, christianity

Sammael and Graendal (Caddar and Miasia) essentially finish off the Shaido by tricking them into portals that send some into Rand’s army and others spread out from Illian to Ghealdan. Sammael does give Sevanna an Oath Rod though, and she currently holds Galina along with all having all of the Wise Ones that can channel with her.

The Bowl is found, but a gholam impervious to channeling attacks. The Seanchan also begin invading Ebou Dar.

Nynaeve and Lan are married by the Seafolk. Mat’s thoughts on the matter are that, “Only a fool married, and only a madman would marry Nynaeve” (748). He once again almost cries over his utter helplessness to Tylin’s advances. She is moving him into her apartments and getting seamstresses to take his measurements. A courageous hero indeed.

The Seafolk are Rand’s. Into the Woods and Blades, 2 more outstanding chapters. The former echoes the series’ early adventures as Rand and Min sneak into the rebel camp. Blades is dramatic and action packed. The three Ashaman the story focuses on are becoming very interesting characters, and seeing them interact with Aes Sedai without Rand provided great suspense along with just being a novelty given the history

Elaida panics after learning the news of Rand’s escape so she takes advice from Alviarin but then plots to get rid of her. She sends Seaine to look for the black ajah within the tower. Rand sulks after exiling Perrin but also because he believes he sexually assaulted Min, saying he should hang for the monstrous act. Min tells him that she consented and is even offended by the notion that he took advantage of her.

Moghedien attacks Nynaeve’s ship with bale fire, causing her to almost drown, but at the brink she finally surrenders to saidar and beaks her block, and Lan saves her from drowning. They are finally reunited. Nynaeve invites nearly 2000 Kin to the Tower. Reanne reveals that she will be 412 on her next birthday and they reveal the location of the Bowl of the Winds.

Festival of Birds- The funniest chapter in the series so far. Mat cannot wrap his head around the culture in Ebou Dar where women chase men and even beggars have guilds. He is also starting to seriously consider a woman - Birgitte - as a real friend and drinking buddy, and even if she did show any romantic interest in him, he would take offense because she likes men who are “dog ugly.” Comedy gold

The Irrevocable Words is an insane chapter. The Seanchan finally make their first big move after lurking in the background for multiple books and take over Amadicia. It is implied that Morgase is raped by Valda, which was extremely jarring to read as she attempts to put the trauma behind her. She has probably suffered and lost more than any other main character, which is probably what leads her to silently abdicate.

Nynaeve and Elayne finally thank and apologize to Mat for his daring rescue in the Stone of Tear. This made me think back to book three and how far his character has developed since then. Once by far my least favorite of the three taveren, to now a POV that i am always delighted to return to, on par with the other two main males. Ever since the dice started rolling in his head he has become a pleasure to read.

Mat is attacked by assassins at the inn he’s staying at. Elaida’s ambassadors decide to bide their time before sending messages back to the tower. Rand attempts to send Berelain back to Mayene, but is interrupted by a condescending Aes Sedai named Cadsuane who is Green Ajah and claims to have fought more male channelers than any of the Red Ajah. She makes him question his madness, if Lews Therin is real or not.

Mat bets on a horse race and wins. He tracks the assassin that tried to kill him and Rand in book 1 to a palace borrowed by Carridin. Darkfriends are also looking for the Bowl of the Winds, under Sammael’s orders. Insects is another phenomenal chapter with great lines and paragraphs to remember.

The Bowl of the Winds, a chapter completely from Aviendha’s POV, where the characters meet with Seafolk to discuss finding the weather ter’angreal. Elayne and Nynaeve bargain with a Mistress of Ships (akin to a Queen in Ath’an Miere society) and a mysterious old man who seems her equal. They also meet a Windfinder who asks silly questions about the Aiel and a Wavemistress who claims Birgitte knows their culture

A Morning of Victory: Gareth Bryne makes it clear his army belongs to Egwene. The Band led by Talmanes trails them. Siuane reveals that Lan’s bond has been passed to Myrelle without his consent, which is akin to rape. Lan is sent to Nynaeve, in the hope that such a mission will keep him alive. Theodrin, Faolain, Nisao, and Myrelle swear oaths to Egwene.

Egwene enters Nynaeve’s and Elayne’s dreams to warn them about the blackmail and to stay in Ebou Dar. She meets with the Wise Ones to tell them she is now Amyrlin and to ask what she can about Rand. She also has many dreams that foretell the future. The chapter ends with her saying she will do what must be done, echoing the words that also mark the end of many Rand chapters.

A woman who channels Saidin frees Moghedien. Sheriam secretly sent an embassy of Aes Sedai to Elaida. There is a Tower Law that prevents the Amyrlin from putting herself in danger besides during a time of war, which stops Egwene from going directly to Rand. Nicola, a novice, and Arribas, a Hunter for the Horn, attempt to blackmail Egwene. She struggles to feed her army.

Rand will finally send his largest army gathering at the Plains of Maredo towards Illian, to engage with Sammael. Lady Dyelin proclaims herself as regent for Elayne, in a surprising act of acquiescence. She hangs traitors who proclaim themselves for the Lion Throne.

I’ve been thinking this a lot lately, but A Broken Crown is one of the best chapters in The Wheel of Time thus far. The text is covered in veiled, frenzied fear, perceivable only because of Perrin’s heightened sense of smell. The fear comes from all the nobles within the Grand Hall of the Sun Throne who bear witness to Rand’s judgement and exile of the usurper Colavaere. Too many memorable lines to even count.