Sir Knight of the Sorrowful Face, I cannot bear with patience some of the things your Grace says. They are enough to make me suspect that all you have told me about knighthood and winning kingdoms and empires, of bestowing islands and giving me other favors and honors according to the customs of chivalry must all be hot air and lies, and all a cock and bull story or cock and ball story or whatsoever you term it.
In this excerpt from "Don Quixote," the speaker expresses frustration and disbelief towards the Grand Knight's tales of glory and honor associated with knighthood. The speaker feels that the fantastical claims about gaining kingdoms and receiving various rewards may be mere fabrications. This sentiment highlights the skepticism regarding the ideals of chivalry that are often romanticized in literature.
The passage illustrates a deeper disillusionment with the concepts of bravery and honor in knighthood, suggesting that the lofty promises made by knights may not hold true in reality. The use of colloquial language, like "hot air" and "cock and bull story," emphasizes the speaker's incredulity and serves as a critique of the traditional values associated with chivalry, showcasing the tension between fantasy and reality in the narrative.
