Final answer:
In 'Don Quixote,' Sancho Panza is the pragmatic squire to the idealistic protagonist Don Quixote. Together, they form a complementary duo, with Sancho's realism balancing Quixote's dreamy quixotic nature. The change in their characters reflects wider societal changes in 17th-century Spain.
Step-by-step explanation:
In the classic novel Don Quixote, the character Sancho Panza serves as the squire to the protagonist, Don Quixote. Sancho Panza is often perceived as grounded and simple, contrasting with Don Quixote's quixotic nature, which is characterized by being overly idealistic or pursuing lofty but impractical ideals. The term 'quixotic' (option D) specifically refers to a dreamer, someone who is unrealistic and impractical, much like Don Quixote himself who fights windmills believing them to be giants.
As the story progresses, both characters undergo significant development. Don Quixote, with his impractical ideals and delusions of grandeur, influences Sancho to start dreaming and believing in a better world, whereas Sancho, in turn, provides Don Quixote with a dose of realism and grounded wisdom. Their partnership is noteworthy because their characters complement each other (option D), with Sancho's pragmatism balancing Don Quixote's idealism.
It is this dynamic between the characters that drives the narrative and the humor of the story. Don Quixote's deep desire to right the wrongs of the world and restore chivalric values, coupled with Sancho's earthy common sense, creates a rich tapestry that mirrors the changes that 17th-century Spain was undergoing. Regarding Don Quixote's love for Dulcinea, it's described as 'platonic' (option D) because it's purely spiritual and not a physical relationship based on material gain.
As to whether it's possible to count the total number of days that pass during their journey, the text does not provide a detailed enough timeline to give an exact count.