Afinite Konstruktionen in Grimmelshausens Simplicissimus. Eine Stichprobe

Abstract

This article deals with the use of afinite constructions (auxiliary ellipsis) in a famous German novel of the 17th century: Grimmelshausen’s Simplicissimus. According to a study by Andersson, these constructions are used to create symmetrical clause endings. However, Andersson’s study has philological and methodological shortcomings because it is based on a problematic edition of the Simplicissimus, it uses vague criteria, and it does not reflect the crucial linguistic unit for complex constructions in the 17th century: the rhetorical period. Therefore, Andersson’s survey is repeated here under more adequate conditions.