Ricote

Ricote is a character in Miguel de Cervantes' novel Don Quixote. He is a Morisco, a term referring to a Muslim who had nominally converted to Christianity after the forced conversions in Spain, yet were often suspected of secretly practicing Islam.

Ricote is portrayed as a complex and sympathetic figure. He is intelligent, resourceful, and well-traveled, having become wealthy through trade in Germany and Italy. He is also fiercely loyal to his Morisco community and deeply saddened by their expulsion from Spain, which forms a significant part of his story.

Ricote's return to Spain disguised as a pilgrim, seeking news of his family and community, highlights the tragic circumstances and injustice faced by the Moriscos. His conversations with Sancho Panza offer insights into Morisco culture and the reasons for their continued adherence to their traditions. He believes, and states, that the expulsion was a great error on the part of the Spanish crown. While he is a devout believer in Islam in private, he presents himself as a devout Christian when necessary, demonstrating the precarious position in which the Moriscos found themselves.

Ricote's narrative thread provides a nuanced perspective on the Morisco expulsion and adds depth to the themes of religious intolerance and social injustice explored in Don Quixote. His character serves as a reminder of the human cost of religious and political persecution.