The Tomcat Hiddigeigei

The Tomcat Hiddigeigei watching the world below
(A. von Werner)

Born in Hungary, having come to Säckingen via Paris, Hiddigeigei the cat is Scheffel's mouthpiece, conveying the poet's view of the times and skepticism. Hiddigeigei is green-eyed, with black velvet fur, a powerful tail, and a "sometimes haughty, patient countenance." Hiddigeigei also wants to be a poet and surpass the others. From the height of a tower, he looks down upon the "goings-on of the parties"

His belief in the good is shattered; out of disappointed love, "he learns to despise the world." The poor cat fears old age and describes the decline of humankind and poetry.