Hans Jakob Christoffel von Grimmelshausen facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Hans Jakob Christoffel von Grimmelshausen
|
|
|---|---|
1641 portrait claimed to show Grimmelshausen
|
|
| Born | 1621 or 1622 Gelnhausen, County of Hanau, Holy Roman Empire |
| Died | 17 August 1676 Renchen, Margraviate of Baden, Holy Roman Empire |
| Pen name | German Schleifheim von Sulsfort; various anagrams of his name |
| Occupation | Writer |
| Language | German |
| Period | Baroque-era Germany |
| Genre | Novel, Allegory, Satire |
| Literary movement | German Baroque |
| Notable works | Simplicius Simplicissimus |
| Spouse | Katharina Henninger |
Hans Jakob Christoffel von Grimmelshausen (born around 1621 or 1622 – died August 17, 1676) was a famous German writer. He is most known for his exciting novel, Simplicius Simplicissimus, written in 1669. This book is a type of story called a picaresque novel, which means it follows the adventures of a clever but often mischievous hero. He also wrote other books in a series called the Simplician Scriptures.
Early Life and Adventures
Hans Jakob Christoffel von Grimmelshausen was born in a town called Gelnhausen. When he was about ten years old, soldiers from Hesse took him. He then experienced army life during the Thirty Years' War. This war was a big conflict in Europe that lasted for many years.
In 1639, Grimmelshausen became a regular soldier in the Imperial Army. By 1644, he was working as a writer in the army's office. We know this because documents from him exist from that year.
After the war ended, Grimmelshausen started working for Franz Egon von Fürstenberg, who was a bishop in Strasbourg. Later, in 1665, he became a local official, like a mayor, in Renchen in Baden. Once he had this job, he spent more time writing books.
His Famous Books
Grimmelshausen's books were greatly influenced by earlier stories about perfect places (called utopias) and exciting travel literature. His Simplicissimus series became very popular. More people read it than any other novel in the 1600s.
In 1668, Grimmelshausen published Der abenteuerliche Simplicissimus. Many people call this the greatest German novel of the 17th century. For this book, he used the idea of picaresque stories from Spain. These stories often follow a "picaro," a clever hero who goes on many adventures.
Simplicissimus might even be based on Grimmelshausen's own life. The story starts with the hero's childhood. It then describes his adventures during the exciting times of the Thirty Years' War. The book gives a lot of detail about country life, making it a valuable record of that time. Some parts of the book use a lot of hidden meanings, like an allegory. Later, it becomes a bit like a Robinson Crusoe story, where the hero is alone on an island.
Other Works
Grimmelshausen also wrote other books that are part of the Simplicianische Schriften (which means Simplician Writings):
- Die Ertzbetrügerin and Landstörtzerin Courasche (1670)
- Der seltsame Springinsfeld (1670)
- Das wunderbarliche Vogelnest (1672)
He also wrote funny stories, called satires, like Der teutsche Michel (1673). He also wrote romantic novels, such as Dietwald und Amelinde (1670).
Death and Lasting Impact
_7899.jpg)
Grimmelshausen passed away in Renchen in 1676. A monument was built there in his honor in 1879.
His book Landstörtzerin Courasche later inspired a famous play. This play was called Mother Courage and Her Children by Bertolt Brecht.
His most famous novel, Der abenteuerliche Simplicissimus, also gave its name to a German magazine. This magazine, called Simplicissimus, was a satirical weekly. It was published from 1894 to 1944 and again from 1954 to 1967.
See also
In Spanish: Hans Jakob Christoph von Grimmelshausen para niños
