Ye love-smitten host, know that to Dulcinea only I am dough and sugar-paste, flint to all others; for her I am honey, for you aloes. For
In "Don Quixote," the protagonist expresses his deep devotion to Dulcinea, contrasting his feelings towards her with those towards others. He describes himself as malleable and sweet for Dulcinea, referring to himself as “dough and sugar-paste,” while presenting a harsher, unyielding nature to everyone else, likened to “flint.” This highlights the transformative power of love in his life, where Dulcinea embodies his ideal and inspires his noblest qualities.
Conversely, to those who do not hold his affection, he becomes bitter, representing the emotional distance and indifference he feels. His words emphasize how love can change one's perception and demeanor, making him a source of warmth and sweetness only for Dulcinea. This quote captures the essence of his unrequited love and the whimsical nature of his chivalric ideals in the face of reality.
