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Michael Kohlhaas: A Classic Tale of Justice and Revenge by Heinrich von Kleist
Michael Kohlhaas is a novella by the German writer Heinrich von Kleist, first published in 1810. It is based on a true story of a 16th-century horse dealer who rebelled against the feudal system after being mistreated by a nobleman. The story explores the themes of law, justice, violence and morality in a society torn between feudalism and enlightenment.
The plot follows Michael Kohlhaas, a prosperous and respected horse trader who lives with his wife and children on a farm near the Havel river. One day, he travels to Saxony with a herd of horses to sell them at a fair. On his way, he encounters a new toll gate erected by a corrupt knight, Wenzel von Tronka, who demands an exorbitant fee for letting him pass. Kohlhaas refuses to pay and leaves two of his horses as collateral until he can obtain a permit from the local authorities. However, when he returns, he finds that his horses have been starved and abused by Tronka's men. He also learns that his wife has been fatally wounded by Tronka's henchmen when she tried to seek justice for him.
Outraged by the injustice and the death of his wife, Kohlhaas gathers a band of loyal followers and wages a bloody war against Tronka and his allies. He burns down Tronka's castle, kills his relatives and supporters, and terrorizes the countryside. He also appeals to the Elector of Saxony, the highest authority in the land, for legal redress. However, the Elector is reluctant to intervene in the conflict, fearing that it might provoke a civil war. He tries to negotiate with Kohlhaas, offering him compensation for his losses and amnesty for his crimes, but Kohlhaas insists on having Tronka punished according to the law.
The story reaches its climax when Kohlhaas receives a letter from Martin Luther, the famous Protestant reformer, who urges him to end his rebellion and submit to the authority of the Elector. Kohlhaas is deeply moved by Luther's words and decides to surrender himself to the Elector's mercy. However, before he can do so, he is betrayed by one of his men and captured by Tronka's cousin, who tortures him and delivers him to the Elector. The Elector sentences Kohlhaas to death by beheading, but also orders Tronka to be executed for his crimes. Kohlhaas dies with dignity and peace, knowing that he has achieved justice for himself and his wife.
Michael Kohlhaas is considered one of Kleist's masterpieces and one of the finest examples of German Romantic literature. It has been praised for its vivid characterization, dramatic tension, historical accuracy and philosophical depth. It has also inspired many adaptations and interpretations in various media, including opera, film, theater and comics.Heinrich von Kleist: A Tragic Genius of German Literature
The author of Michael Kohlhaas, Heinrich von Kleist, was a complex and tormented figure who lived a short and turbulent life. He was born in 1777 in Frankfurt an der Oder, a town in Prussia (now Germany), into a noble family with a long military tradition. He followed his father's footsteps and joined the army at the age of 15, but soon became disillusioned with the career and resigned in 1799. He then studied law and philosophy at the University of Frankfurt, where he encountered the works of Immanuel Kant, whose critical philosophy challenged his worldview and left him in a state of existential crisis.
Kleist decided to abandon his studies and embark on a series of travels across Europe, seeking inspiration and meaning for his life. He visited Paris, Switzerland, Weimar, Dresden and Prague, where he met various literary figures and wrote some of his early works, such as the tragedy The Schroffenstein Family (1803) and the unfinished historical drama Robert Guiskard (1808). He also developed a keen interest in journalism and founded two periodicals: PhÃbus (1808), a literary magazine that he co-edited with Adam MÃller, and Berliner AbendblÃtter (1810-1811), a daily newspaper that he edited alone.
However, Kleist's restless spirit was never satisfied with his achievements and he suffered from bouts of depression, anxiety and self-doubt. He also faced financial difficulties, political troubles and personal tragedies. He was arrested by the French as a spy in 1807 and imprisoned for six months. He fell in love with several women, but none of his relationships lasted. He lost his best friend Heinrich Zschokke to a duel in 1809. He struggled to find recognition and appreciation for his literary works, which were often rejected by publishers and critics. He felt alienated from his contemporaries and misunderstood by his readers.
In 1811, Kleist met Henriette Vogel, a young married woman who was suffering from terminal cancer. They developed a close friendship and decided to end their lives together. On November 21, they went to the shore of the Wannsee lake near Berlin, where Kleist shot Vogel and then himself. They were buried in a common grave that still exists today. Kleist was only 34 years old when he died.
Kleist left behind a remarkable body of work that includes eight plays, eight novellas, several poems and essays. His works are characterized by their intense emotionality, dramatic tension, poetic language and philosophical depth. He explored themes such as justice, freedom, love, fate, violence and death with originality and courage. He experimented with different genres and forms, such as comedy, tragedy, romance, satire and historical fiction. He combined elements of classical Greek drama, Shakespearean drama and German folklore. He created memorable characters that are driven by passion, idealism and conflict.
Kleist's works were largely ignored or criticized during his lifetime and for decades after his death. He was considered too radical, too obscure or too pessimistic by the dominant literary trends of his time. However, he gradually gained recognition and admiration from later generations of writers and readers who appreciated his visionary genius and his relevance to modern issues. Today, he is widely regarded as one of the greatest German writers of all time and one of the most influential figures of European Romanticism. aa16f39245