# How Simplicissimus Got Two Eyes Out of One Calf’s-Head explained — The Adventurous Simplicissimus

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

## 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.

## Character check-ins

### 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 lines

> 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._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_adventurous_simplicissimus_se/chapters/xxviii-how-simplicissimus-got-two-eyes-out-of-one-calf-s-head
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_adventurous_simplicissimus_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_adventurous_simplicissimus_se/chapters