Oficio de truhanes y discretos: El tópico del varón medianero como materia precervantina en el episodio del galeote-alcahuete

In this article, I explore the galeote-alcahuete episode of Don Quijote through the lens of legal texts and Spanish fictions predating 1605. First, I reveal that this character is influenced by the male go-between topic, which has not received critical attention despite its presence in Spanish romances of chivalry, certain erotic literature, and laws against alcahuetería. Second, based on these texts, I argue that Don Quijote’s discourse on alcahuetería encapsulates both entertainment and education, emphasizing the importance of having a good go-between. To illustrate these ideas, I will initially analyze alcahuetes who come from a lower socio-moral standing, whose negative actions lead them into criminality. Subsequently, I will examine some go-betweens with a higher social status that initially seem to exhibit exemplary behavior.