The Wandering Scholar from Paradise: Analysis of Major Characters
"The Wandering Scholar from Paradise" presents an intriguing narrative centered around the interactions of three main characters: the Scholar, the Widow, and the Husband. The Scholar is depicted as a clever yet unscrupulous student from Paris who cleverly exploits the widow's naivety, leveraging her emotional ties to her deceased first husband to obtain goods and money under the pretense of delivering them to "Paradise." The Widow, characterized as simpleminded but good-hearted, nostalgically recalls the generosity of her late husband, contrasting sharply with her current, stingy spouse. Her willingness to support the Scholar stems from a desire to alleviate her second husband's frugality. The Husband, a grouchy and tightfisted farmer, initially reacts with anger at being deceived but ultimately feels shame after losing his horse in the process. This tale explores themes of deception, innocence, and the complexities of human relationships, particularly in the context of love, loss, and the pursuit of generosity. The interplay between the characters highlights differing perspectives on wealth, kindness, and the consequences of gullibility. Overall, the narrative invites readers to reflect on the nature of charity and the dynamics of marital relationships.
The Wandering Scholar from Paradise: Analysis of Major Characters
Author: Hans Sachs
First published: Der fahrende Schüler im Paradies, 1880 (English translation, 1910)
Genre: Drama
Locale: Nuremberg, Germany
Plot: Farce
Time: Sixteenth century
The Wandering Scholar, a witty, unscrupulous student from Paris. Taking advantage of the mistake of a simpleminded widow, who misunderstands his origin as “Paradise” instead of “Paris,” he plays on her sympathies for her departed first husband to wheedle goods and money from her to take to the poor man in Paradise. When the widow's present husband chases him, he hides the bundle and his identifying yellow scarf, sends the husband on foot across a bog while he “watches the horse,” and then rides merrily away, praising the generosity of both wife and husband.
The Wife, a simpleminded and good-hearted widow. Remembering with affection her open-handed first husband, and weary of her skinflint second, she sends goods and money to Paradise by the Scholar. The second husband chases the Scholar in anger but returns to tell her that he gave the Scholar his horse to shorten the travel to Paradise. At that news, she is carried away with affectionate rapture and expresses a hope that she will be able to outlive him and send him goods in Paradise.
The Husband, a grouchy, tightfisted farmer. His anger at his wife for being tricked by the Scholar gives way to shame when he himself is taken in and loses the horse. He accepts her affection as a balance for her stupidity.