Calvin and Hobbes by Bill Watterson for May 22, 2012

Hobbes knows the best spots.

Today’s Calvin and Hobbes strip is clearly intended to be a deeply profound commentary on many levels.

1. Hobbes’s attempts to keep up with the changing position of the sunlight, while simultaneously pursuing a nap, strongly symbolize our desperate attempts to pursue continuous pleasure, which are intertwined with and limited by our inherent laziness.2. Calvin’s heavy emphasis on the word “more,” in reference to the sun, obviously represents the never-ending nature of the Universe’s thwarting of our attempts at happiness, plus the universal fact that change is inescapable.3. The contrast between light and shadow is unmistakably a metaphor for the opposition of good and evil, in conjunction with the motion of the sunlight representing the deeper implication that good can gradually be overtaken by evil if we, like Hobbes, fail to remain alert and vigilant at all times.4. The themes of being asleep and awake are definitely thinly-veiled references to our attitudes toward the religious beliefs of others in contrast to our own.5. The portrayal of warmth and cold is obviously emblematic of the complexity of human relationships, pointing out the inescapable truth that one must be able fully to put oneself in another’s place before one can experience true warmth.6. The fact that Calvin’s shirt is striped like Hobbes’s fur, but with the stripes at right angles in the picture, is undoubtedly a reference to the two major American political parties, the most extreme members of which have much in common from a global perspective while at the same time their very words are diametrically opposed.7. The image of Hobbes’s claws not being fully extended, and therefore just slightly touching the floor, certainly was intended to imply that all of these profound insights have just barely begun to scratch the surface.8. There is no question that the pattern on the curtains by the window was intended to be a……….. well………. I could go on……..Whenever one reads something that was written by someone else, one must always be careful not to miss the deeper, more highly profound meaning that was originally intended by the author — with the exception of when one reads this particular posting.:>)Seriously, I wonder whether Bill Watterson perhaps chose the simple topic of today’s strip as a change of pace, following two days of highly-intense subject matter.

Click here: Peanuts (1958)

Or, on a more subjective note, it’s just warmer over there. Hobbes is above all else a cat,

@thatnicecollegeguy:Guy. (Thanks — you’re a nice college guy.)

Astute! Takes me back to HS English class.

Successful launch of the Falcon 9! We’re off to the stars!!!

A bath in the sun warmth the old bones!!

If I were you, I’d join him, Calvin.

You might want to look up the word “irony.”

Blasphemy!!! God Sun must be referred to with reverence!! And He doesn’t move! Earth and clouds move.

I guess you want be around long.

felines are always so graceful when they move, Like panel 3.

Evidently Hobbes can be animated when he’s alone. That answers the question: How does Hobbes get home from the bus stop when Calvin goes to school?

Is that really necessary?

Yes Hobbes is a cat and they love the sunny spot. I remember napping with the cat, on the kitchen floor in front of the big picture window, as a kid. A very warm and cozy memory.

Love the second panel. Can feel that yawn.

It’s tough work being a tiger you know!

Interesting evaluation… :) I must say, it’s given me a lot to think about. The fact that one can gather so much from a seemingly simple comic strip, and the concepts/ ideologies that follow… just fascinating. Thanks, Hobbes!

We tend to be like Calvin but we need to be more like Hobbs, just enjoying the simple things in life

It is interesting to observe the online “crowd” that gathers around different comic strips. There are one or two of my favorite comics that I never bother reading any of the comments — I enjoy the comic but not the commentators. However, there are some strips where the commentors are as witty and insightful as the strip and always enjoyable. C&H is the tops! I love the strip in all its aspects, and I enjoy the comments, too.

 

Thank you Bill Watterson for the ten years of your creation, and thank you commentors (especially Hobbes).

I would lay down before Hobbes and cuddle very tight in his warm fur and let myslef warm from it!!

Hobbes must be very tired today.

LOL LOL. I love the second panel.

xxx

“I’m Movin’ On” – Hank Snow

A rolling Hobbes gathers no, ummm, living room carpet….

Really??You make “W” look intellectual …

Amazing. After reading this strip I had exactly all of the very same thoughts as Hobbes. I would just never be able to articulate them the way Hobbes does. Thanks Hobbes.

Life moves on; time marches on. Hobbes is trying to keep up.

My dog likes to lay in the sun too! :-)

Nice post Hobbes, even funnier how some people take it seriously lol!

Jkissmya LOL! I think the Stel is short for STEEL!

My old cat does this during the day,while sleeping on my bed.

Dead on!

someone apparently doesn’t get the joke…