# Concerning the Man That Pays the Money, and of the Military Service That Simplicissimus Did for the Crown of Sweden: Through Which Service He Got the Name of Simplicissimus explained — The Adventurous Simplicissimus

> Chapter companion for The Adventurous Simplicissimus by Hans Jakob Christoffel von Grimmelshausen.

## What happens

A Swedish commissary arrives to review the garrison, disrupting the Governor's carousing. Simplicissimus observes the hypocrisy of the Governor's fawning welcome. To pass inspection, Simplicissimus is disguised as a drummer and given the name 'Simplicissimus' by the Governor, marking his first and only service to the Crown of Sweden.

## Themes in this chapter

### Deception and Appearance

The Governor's false courtesy to the commissary and Simplicissimus's disguise as a drummer highlight the theme of deception.

### Folly and Wisdom

Simplicissimus's naive observation of the commissary as a 'holy man' contrasts with the worldly deceit around him.

## Character check-ins

### Simplicissimus

Observes the Governor's hypocrisy, learns to drum in an hour, and is given the name 'Simplicissimus' for the muster-roll.

### The Governor

Receives the Swedish commissary with feigned courtesy, arranges Simplicissimus's disguise, and bestows the surname 'Simplicissimus'.

## Key lines

> Then thought I, 'Oh, what a wondrous spirit of falsehood doth govern all mankind, and so doth make one a fool through another’s help.'

Simplicissimus reflects on how universal deceit makes fools of everyone.

_Highlights the theme of deception and appearance._

> And so he made me like a bastard, the first of my family; and that although, after his own showing, I looked so like his own sister.

The Governor recorded Simplicissimus as a new surname, despite claiming he resembled his sister.

_Explains the origin of the name Simplicissimus._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_adventurous_simplicissimus_se/chapters/iv-concerning-the-man-that-pays-the-money-and-of-the-military-service-that-simplicissimus-did-for-the-crown-of-sweden-through-which-service-he-got-the-name-of-simplicissimus
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_adventurous_simplicissimus_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_adventurous_simplicissimus_se/chapters