When thinking about the novel, Don Quixote, it is important
to remember that the text is supposed to be a comedy. As such, when thinking about answers to
questions, what might appear as silly and absurd with regard to an action by
Don Quixote, in his world, it might just make sense. With that in mind we know that he broke his
lance “fighting” a windmill, yet the windmill made sense to him as an
opponent. In looking at the possible
responses to this question, a spear and a cane, actually make sense, yet too
much sense to one who just fought a windmill.
A flask would make no sense even to Don Quixote; however, the branch of
a tree fits right in perfectly into his world.
Thus, with that in mind, it can safely be understood (and make sense)
that a tree branch was what Don Quixote used as a replacement for his spear.
