Don Quixote: Novel Summary: Book 2, Part 5-Book 2, Part 6

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Book 2, Part 5-Book 2, Part 6

Book 2, Part 5: On the road again, Quixote and his squire encounter a wagon with royal flags, carrying some caged lions.  Seeing another way to prove his knightly courage, Quixote demands that one of the lions be released from its cage.  Though Sancho and the lion-keeper attempt to dissuade him, Quixote insists that he fight the lion.  Finally the cage is opened, the lion walks out, turns around and walks back into its cage.  The Don declares victory, and announces that his new title shall be Knight of the Lions. 
Next, they meet a few students and peasants who invite Quixote and Sancho to a wedding.  When he learns that there's some controversy over the bride marrying the rich man over the poor man whom she loves, the Don quickly resolves to allow the young man without riches but with sword-fighting ability to be the groom instead of the man who is simply wealthy.  When the poor man appears during the ceremony, he stabs himself, then asks and receives his lover's hand in marriage.  Afterwards, everyone learns that it was a clever trick.  In can be argued, here, that this episode clearly supports Cervantes' belief that marriage should be based on reputation and love rather than fortune.
Book 2, Part 6: Staying three days with their newfound friends, Don Quixote and his squire head towards the Cave of Montesinos.  The Don is lowered into the cave with a rope, then pulled out some time later after falling into a deep sleep.  In his dream, he apparently meets Montesinos, the governor of a castle.  He takes Quixote to the tomb of a famous knight, and shows him other things as well.  Finally it is explained to the Don that he has a special, prophesied role to play as a knight-errant and garner of chivalry.  Quixote even tells Sancho that he saw his Lady Dulcinea in the cave.  This makes the squire believe his master is crazier than ever.