The Adventurous Simplicissimus · Chapter
IX: In What Manner the Pains of Childbirth Came Upon Him, and How He Became a Widower explained
Simplicissimus travels to the Spessart to obtain proof of his noble birth, spending 400 thalers and being robbed on his return.
What happens
Simplicissimus travels to the Spessart to obtain proof of his noble birth, spending 400 thalers and being robbed on his return. Meanwhile, his wife neglects housekeeping and drinks heavily, and during her childbirth, the maid also gives birth to a child resembling Simplicissimus, while his wife's child resembles the farm-servant. A third child is left at his door, leading to a scandal. His wife mocks him and dies from drink-induced illness, leaving him a widower.
Themes in this chapter
Deception and Appearance
The maid's child is made to appear fathered by a fop, while the wife's child resembles the farm-servant, highlighting deceit and hidden truths.
Folly and Wisdom
Simplicissimus's past 'bestial lusts' lead to his current troubles, and his wife's drinking and mockery show folly.
Fortune and Fate
Misfortunes come in multiples: robbery, infidelity, scandal, and his wife's death, all as consequences of his earlier life.
Characters to notice
- Simplicissimus
Travels to Spessart to obtain proof of noble birth, is robbed, and returns to find his wife's infidelity and her death.
- Governor Ramsay
Mentioned as the commandant at Hanau under whom Simplicissimus lived.
- The Hermit
Referenced as the late father of Simplicissimus, whose death and Simplicissimus's stay with him are documented.
Key passages
“Not long after this I did take my godfather with me, and ride into the Spessart to get certain news and certificate of my descent and noble birth; which I gat without difficulty from the book of baptisms and my godfather’s witness”
Soon after, I went with my godfather to the Spessart to obtain proof of my noble lineage, which I easily got from the baptismal records and his testimony.
Simplicissimus seeks official documentation of his noble birth.
“for as soon as my wife knew her husband was a nobleman she not only did play the great lady, but did neglect all housekeeping”
Once my wife learned I was a nobleman, she acted like a grand lady and abandoned all household duties.
His wife's behavior changes upon learning of his noble status.
“the child she bore was indeed like to me, but that which my wife had was so like to the farm-servant as it had been cut on the pattern of his face”
The maid's child looked like me, but my wife's child was the spitting image of the farm-servant.
Reveals the infidelity of both Simplicissimus and his wife.
“and so did I get a family of three at once, and could not but expect that others would creep out of every corner, which caused me not a few grey hairs”
I suddenly had three children at once and feared more would appear, causing me much worry.
Simplicissimus's distress at the sudden increase in his family.
“by which means she robbed her child of its nourishment and so inflamed her inward parts that soon after they fell out, and so made me a widower the second time”
Her drinking deprived her child of milk and damaged her health, leading to her death and making me a widower again.
His wife's alcoholism leads to her death.