The Adventurous Simplicissimus · Chapter
IV: How Simplicissimus Departed Secretly and How He Believed He Had the Neapolitan Disease explained
Simplicissimus, having amassed considerable wealth through his immoral dealings in Paris, decides to secretly return to Germany after receiving a letter from the commandant at Lippstadt and his wife.
What happens
Simplicissimus, having amassed considerable wealth through his immoral dealings in Paris, decides to secretly return to Germany after receiving a letter from the commandant at Lippstadt and his wife. He joins a group of officers from the Duke of Weimar's army, but falls gravely ill two nights out of Paris. Abandoned by his companions, he is cared for by a local priest, only to discover his money has been stolen and he is covered in spots, leading him to believe he has contracted the French disease. The priest consoles him, and Simplicissimus sells a jeweled portrait to survive while recovering.
Themes in this chapter
Deception and Appearance
Simplicissimus deceives Monsieur Canard about his departure and pretends to be an ensign to secure travel companions.
Greed and Money
Simplicissimus's wealth from immoral earnings and his despair over losing his money highlight the theme of greed.
Fortune and Fate
Simplicissimus's sudden illness and theft of his money illustrate the fickleness of fortune.
Religion and Morality
The priest's counsel and Simplicissimus's lack of repentance for his sins reflect moral and religious concerns.
Characters to notice
- Simplicissimus
Departs secretly from Paris, falls ill, believes he has the French disease, and loses his money.
- Monsieur Canard
Simplicissimus leaves without his permission and writes a deceptive farewell letter.
- Daniel St. André
Mentioned as the colonel of the regiment Simplicissimus claims to belong to.
Key passages
“By this my occupation I gathered together so many gratifications both in money and in things of worth that I was troubled for their safety, and I wondered no longer that women do betake themselves to the stews and do make a trade of this same beastly and lewd pursuit; since it is so profitable.”
Through this work, I accumulated so much money and valuables that I worried about their security, and I no longer wondered why women turn to prostitution, since it is so profitable.
Simplicissimus reflects on the profitability of his immoral activities.
“But two nights out from Paris ’twas with me as with one that hath the erysipelas, and my head did so ache that next morning I could not rise: and that in a poor village where I could have no doctor and, what was worse, none to wait upon me: for the officers rode on their way next morning and left me there, sick to death, as one that concerned them not.”
Two nights after leaving Paris, I fell ill with severe headaches and could not get up, stranded in a poor village without a doctor or anyone to care for me, as the officers abandoned me the next morning.
Simplicissimus describes his sudden illness and abandonment.
“for not only had my money all been stolen, but I did believe I had (saving your presence) the French disease: for I had deserved this more than my pistoles, and I was spotted over my whole body like a leopard: nor could I either walk or stand, or sit or lie: and now was my patience at an end.”
Not only was all my money stolen, but I also believed I had syphilis, which I deserved more than losing my coins, and I was covered in spots like a leopard, unable to move or find comfort, so I lost all patience.
Simplicissimus laments his double misfortune of theft and illness.