Metaphor

Saying one thing by means of another, with no word of comparison: instead of saying that something is like another thing, one says that it is. The image transfers to the subject the qualities of the thing it is identified with.

In Don Quixote

the ill-founded machine of these chivalric books, loathed by so many and praised by many more.

The "ill-founded machine" treats the whole body of chivalry books as an engineering work with a fragile structure, which a blow at the right point is enough to bring down, and this image gives the book its target.

Part One: The Gentleman and the Windmills, the author's friend, in the prologue, on the purpose of the book

I was born free, and to live free I chose the solitude of the fields. The trees of these mountains are my company, and the clear waters of these streams my mirrors.

Part One: Marcela and the Inn, Marcela, defending herself before the shepherds

so, Sancho, for what I love Dulcinea del Toboso, she is worth as much as the highest princess on earth [...] I paint her in my imagination as I desire her, both in beauty and in preeminence.

Part One: The Penance and Micomicona, Don Quixote, to Sancho, after learning that the squire knows Aldonza Lorenzo

the well-made book is a whole body of fable with all its members, so that the middle corresponds to the beginning, and the end to the beginning and the middle [...] and for this reason they deserve to be banished from the Christian commonwealth, like useless people.

Part One: The Cage and the Canon, the canon of Toledo, to the priest, on the way to the village

since the malign enchanter pursues me, he placed clouds and cataracts over my eyes, and only for them and not for others changed and transformed your unmatched beauty and face into those of a poor peasant woman, if my own has not also changed into that of some little monster, to make me hateful in your eyes.

Part Two: The Printed Book, Don Quixote, on his knees, before the peasant woman Sancho presents as Dulcinea

when I saw this cart, I imagined some great adventure was appearing to me; and now I say it is necessary to feel the appearances to make room for the disillusionment.

Part Two: Mirrors, Lions, and Camacho, Don Quixote, to the Devil of the cart of the Courts of Death

God knows whether there is a Dulcinea in the world or not, or whether she is fantastic or not fantastic; and these are not among the things whose investigation must be carried to the end. Neither did I beget nor did I bear my lady, though I contemplate her as it is fitting that a lady be, one who holds within her the gifts that can make her famous in every part of the world.

Part Two: The Duke and Duchess and Clavileño, Don Quixote, to the duchess, before the duke

the insula I promised you is neither movable nor fugitive: it has roots so deep, sunk into the depths of the earth, that no three tugs will tear it up or move it from where it stands.

Part Two: The Duke and Duchess and Clavileño, the duke, to Sancho, who refuses to climb onto the wooden horse

come here, my companion and my friend, and bearer of my labors and miseries: when I got along with you and had no other thoughts than those the care of mending your gear and keeping your little body fed gave me, my hours, days, and years were happy; but after I left you and climbed up the towers of ambition and pride, a thousand miseries, a thousand troubles, and four thousand unrests have entered my soul.

Part Two: The Governorship of the Island, Sancho, to his donkey, in the stable, as he leaves the government