# Oliver — The Adventurous Simplicissimus character guide > Oliver in The Adventurous Simplicissimus by Hans Jakob Christoffel von Grimmelshausen. **Role:** supporting **Also known as:** the traitorous Oliver **First appearance:** 0107-xiii-how-oliver-conceived-that-he-could-excuse-his-brigand-s-tricks ## Snapshot A brigand who takes young Simplicissimus under his wing and teaches him plunder, disguise, and the going price of a comrade's life. ## Who they are Oliver is the war's darker apprenticeship: a marauder whose hut, tree-cache of money, and casual violence introduce Simplicissimus to the economics of theft and the fragility of trust. His defining trait is a self-interest so pure it becomes almost instructive—he is the lesson Simplicissimus must survive rather than the friend he wants. His fate at the hands of pursuing musketeers, and the peasant who betrays him for his hidden gold, launch the hero into his first real fortune and his first real taste of how quickly a companion becomes a corpse. ## Relationships ### [Simplicissimus](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_adventurous_simplicissimus_se/characters/simplicissimus) _rivalry_ Oliver is a brutal antagonist who repeatedly torments and exploits Simplicissimus throughout their many encounters. ### [Simplicissimus](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_adventurous_simplicissimus_se/characters/simplicissimus) _rivalry_ Oliver is a brutal antagonist who repeatedly torments and exploits Simplicissimus throughout their many encounters. ## In the story ### [XXII: A Rascally Trick to Step Into Another Man’s Shoes](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_adventurous_simplicissimus_se/chapters/xxii-a-rascally-trick-to-step-into-another-man-s-shoes) Oliver conspires with the provost to frame young Herzbruder for theft, using sorcery to produce a false accusation. ### [XXIII: How Ulrich Herzbruder Sold Himself for a Hundred Ducats](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_adventurous_simplicissimus_se/chapters/xxiii-how-ulrich-herzbruder-sold-himself-for-a-hundred-ducats) Oliver is identified as the one who laid a trap for Herzbruder through the provost, but no direct action is taken against him. ### [How Two Prophecies Were Fulfilled at Once](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_adventurous_simplicissimus_se/chapters/xxiv-how-two-prophecies-were-fulfilled-at-once) Visits Herzbruder and is foretold a violent death, to be avenged by Simplicissimus. ### [XXV: How Simplicissimus Was Transformed from a Boy Into a Girl and Fell Into Divers Adventures of Love](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_adventurous_simplicissimus_se/chapters/xxv-how-simplicissimus-was-transformed-from-a-boy-into-a-girl-and-fell-into-divers-adventures-of-love) Appointed as Simplicissimus's governor after old Herzbruder's death; allows him to ride foraging, enabling his escape. ### [XXVI: How He Was Imprisoned for a Traitor and Enchanter](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_adventurous_simplicissimus_se/chapters/xxvi-how-he-was-imprisoned-for-a-traitor-and-enchanter) The secretary Oliver pays for Simplicissimus's keep and informs him of the charges against him. ### [Book IV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_adventurous_simplicissimus_se/chapters/book-iv) A treacherous figure whose actions contrast with Herzbruder's loyalty. ### [XIII: How Oliver Conceived That He Could Excuse His Brigand’s Tricks](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_adventurous_simplicissimus_se/chapters/xiii-how-oliver-conceived-that-he-could-excuse-his-brigand-s-tricks) Now a footpad and robber, he justifies his trade by comparing it to princely conquest and claims it is a noble exercise. ### [XIV: How Oliver Explained Herzbruder’s Prophecy to His Own Profit, and So Came to Love His Worst Enemy](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_adventurous_simplicissimus_se/chapters/xiv-how-oliver-explained-herzbruder-s-prophecy-to-his-own-profit-and-so-came-to-love-his-worst-enemy) Oliver explains Herzbruder's prophecy to his own advantage, professes love for Simplicissimus, and offers him money or a place to stay. ### [XV: How Simplicissimus Thought More Piously When He Went A-Plundering Than Did Oliver When He Went to Church](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_adventurous_simplicissimus_se/chapters/xv-how-simplicissimus-thought-more-piously-when-he-went-a-plundering-than-did-oliver-when-he-went-to-church) Leads Simplicissimus on a plundering raid and delivers a lengthy, cynical defense of using churches for his trade, then begins to tell his life story. ### [XVI: Of Oliver’s Descent, and How He Behaved in His Youth, and Specially at School](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_adventurous_simplicissimus_se/chapters/xvi-of-oliver-s-descent-and-how-he-behaved-in-his-youth-and-specially-at-school) Oliver narrates his own youth, detailing his descent, spoiled upbringing, and early acts of mischief and cruelty. ### [Of the Homecoming and Departure of This Worshipful Student, and How He Sought to Obtain Advancement in the Wars](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_adventurous_simplicissimus_se/chapters/xviii-of-the-homecoming-and-departure-of-this-worshipful-student-and-how-he-sought-to-obtain-advancement-in-the-wars) Narrates his homecoming, quarrel with his father, theft of a horse, enlistment, and plot against Herzbruder. ### [How Simplicissimus Fulfilled Herzbruder’s Prophecy to Oliver Before Yet Either Knew the Other](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_adventurous_simplicissimus_se/chapters/xix-how-simplicissimus-fulfilled-herzbruder-s-prophecy-to-oliver-before-yet-either-knew-the-other) Recounts his violent exploits, including murdering comrades, deserting armies, and stealing. ### [XX: How It Doth Fare with a Man on Whom Evil Fortune Doth Rain Cats and Dogs](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_adventurous_simplicissimus_se/chapters/xx-how-it-doth-fare-with-a-man-on-whom-evil-fortune-doth-rain-cats-and-dogs) Tells the tale of how he got his facial scars from a cat and dogs. ### [A Brief Example of That Trade Which Oliver Followed, Wherein He Was a Master and Simplicissimus Should Be a Prentice](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_adventurous_simplicissimus_se/chapters/xxi-a-brief-example-of-that-trade-which-oliver-followed-wherein-he-was-a-master-and-simplicissimus-should-be-a-prentice) Master of the murderous trade; kills the coach driver and threatens innocents; mocks Simplicissimus's scruples. ### [How Oliver Bit the Dust and Took Six Good Men with Him](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_adventurous_simplicissimus_se/chapters/xxii-how-oliver-bit-the-dust-and-took-six-good-men-with-him) Reveals his hidden gold to Simplicissimus, fights valiantly against the musketeers, but is killed in the battle. ### [How Simplicissimus Became a Rich Man and Herzbruder Fell Into Great Misery](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_adventurous_simplicissimus_se/chapters/xxiii-how-simplicissimus-became-a-rich-man-and-herzbruder-fell-into-great-misery) Mentioned as having been killed in the fight with the corporal and musketeers; his sword is given to the commandant. ### [XXIV: Of the Manner in Which Herzbruder Fell Into Such Evil Plight](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_adventurous_simplicissimus_se/chapters/xxiv-of-the-manner-in-which-herzbruder-fell-into-such-evil-plight) Mentioned as having died; Simplicissimus tells Herzbruder of avenging his death. ### [How Simplicissimus Turned Palmer and Went on a Pilgrimage with Herzbruder](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_adventurous_simplicissimus_se/chapters/i-how-simplicissimus-turned-palmer-and-went-on-a-pilgrimage-with-herzbruder) Mentioned as the source of the money Simplicissimus offers, which Herzbruder scruples to use. ### [III: How the Two Friends Spent the Winter](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_adventurous_simplicissimus_se/chapters/iii-how-the-two-friends-spent-the-winter) His money, taken by Simplicissimus, is used to fund the friends' winter stay and travel. ### [How Herzbruder Died and How Simplicissimus Again Fell to Wanton Courses](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_adventurous_simplicissimus_se/chapters/vii-how-herzbruder-died-and-how-simplicissimus-again-fell-to-wanton-courses) Mentioned as the source of Simplicissimus's legacy. ## Links - HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_adventurous_simplicissimus_se/characters/oliver - Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_adventurous_simplicissimus_se - All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_adventurous_simplicissimus_se/characters