The Adventurous Simplicissimus · Chapter
How Simplicissimus Got Two Eyes Out of One Calf’s-Head explained
Simplicissimus, serving at a banquet celebrating the capture of Braunfels, is given a calf's-head to carry to the table.
What happens
Simplicissimus, serving at a banquet celebrating the capture of Braunfels, is given a calf's-head to carry to the table. Tempted by the sight and smell, he eats one eye with a spoon. When the missing eye is noticed, the cook and servers are interrogated, and Simplicissimus is confronted. In response, he promptly eats the second eye as well, turning a potential punishment into a praised jest.
Themes in this chapter
Innocence and Experience
Simplicissimus's naive act of eating the calf's eyes, driven by pure hunger and simplicity, is interpreted by the company as a clever and bold move, highlighting the gap between his innocent intent and the worldly interpretation.
Folly and Wisdom
What appears as foolishness—eating the eyes of a dish meant for the lord—is reframed as a presage of future boldness and resolution, blurring the line between folly and wisdom.
Characters to notice
- Simplicissimus
As a table-server, he eats both eyes of a calf's-head out of pure appetite and simplicity, turning a potential offense into a celebrated trick.
- The Governor
Hosts the banquet and initially appears threatening when the missing eye is discovered, but ultimately praises Simplicissimus's bold act.
Key passages
“The first day there was a big fat calf’s-head (of which folk are wont to say no poor man may eat) handed to me to carry up.”
On the first day, I was given a large, fatty calf's-head to carry up—the kind that people say no poor man gets to eat.
Highlights the class distinction and the rarity of such food for commoners.
“In a word, the eye smiled at once on mine eyes, my nostrils, and my mouth, and besought me that I would incorporate it into my hungry belly.”
In short, the eye appealed to my sight, smell, and taste, begging me to put it into my empty stomach.
Personifies the eye to emphasize Simplicissimus's overwhelming temptation.
“Pardieu , quoth my lord, “this trick savoureth better than ten calves.””
'By God,' said my lord, 'this trick tastes better than ten calves.'
The governor's praise turns the offense into a compliment, showing his appreciation for the audacity.