# How He Studied at Liège, and How He There Demeaned Himself explained — The Adventurous Simplicissimus

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

## What happens

Simplicissimus recounts his time studying in Liège, where his father's wealth attracted flatterers and a corrupt tutor. He indulged in vice, neglected his studies, and engaged in theft and violence, leading to his tutor's death and his own arrest. His father bailed him out and brought him home.

## Themes in this chapter

### Folly and Wisdom

Simplicissimus's reckless behavior and poor choices contrast with his natural wit, illustrating the folly of youth and the lack of true wisdom.

### Deception and Appearance

The flatterers and corrupt tutor present a false front of virtue, while Simplicissimus's outward confidence hides his moral decay.

## Character check-ins

### Simplicissimus

Narrates his dissolute student life in Liège, including debauchery, theft, and arrest.

### Burchiello

Mentioned as one of the authors Simplicissimus read during church sermons.

## Key lines

> Now the more my father’s riches increased, the more flatterers and parasites he had round him, all which did praise my fine capacities for study, but said no word of all my other faults or at least would excuse them

As my father grew wealthier, he attracted more sycophants who praised my intellect but ignored my many flaws.

_Highlights the theme of flattery and its corrupting influence._

> I heeded nothing if I could but read Berni or Burchiello or Aretine during the sermon in church: nor did I hear any part of the service with greater joy than when ’twas said ‘Ite missa est.’

I paid no attention to anything except reading forbidden authors in church, and the only part of the service I enjoyed was the dismissal.

_Shows Simplicissimus's irreverence and preference for worldly literature over religion._

> So one night as we, after our custom, were prowling by night, to plunder students of their cloaks, we were overcome, my tutor run through the body, and I, with five others that were right rascals, caught and laid by the heels

One night, while we were out robbing students of their cloaks, we were overpowered; my tutor was killed, and I along with five other scoundrels was captured and imprisoned.

_Climactic event leading to the end of Simplicissimus's studies._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_adventurous_simplicissimus_se/chapters/xviii-how-he-studied-at-li-ge-and-how-he-there-demeaned-himself
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_adventurous_simplicissimus_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_adventurous_simplicissimus_se/chapters