Lying, inherently, is a primitive form of role-playing. Although one does not actually assume an entirely different persona when one lies, one is still acting out a situation that does not exist, or acting as if an event has taken place that, in reality, has not. One does not need to pretend to be someone else to lie, although doing so would be lying in one fashion. Lying is a form of role-playing, and role-playing is a form of lying. In his lies, however, Sancho goes beyond the simple act of covering for himself. His lies also move the fantastical story along. He lies to fulfill his role as Don Quixote’s squire. After all, if Sancho had returned to Don Quixote and told him the truth, that he could not deliver the letter because he could not find Dulcinea, it may not have been out of character for Sancho Panza, Alonso Quijano’s neighbor, but it would definitely have been out of character for Sancho, Don Quixote’s noble squire.
Cervantes, Miguel de. Don Quijote. Norton: New York, 1999.
Cervantes, Miguel de. Don Quijote. Norton: New York, 1999.