Kohlhaas

As I am still in the process of completing the reading of Heinrick Von Kleist’s Michael Kohlhaas, I wanted to reflect on my surprise of the turn of events so far in the story. The story begins by praising Michael Kohlhaas, and by introducing him as an honorable, honest, and well-liked man. But to cause an immediate interest and twist to the story that has only just begun, Kohlhaas is also said to be a terrible man. In the very first sentence to begin the story, it states: “Michael Kohlhaas… who was one of the most honoruable as well as one of the most terrible men of his age.” Not to mention, the first paragraph is concluded with “but his sense of justice made him a robber and a murderer.” The key word in this statement is “justice.” Before continuing on in the story, I am already biased to seeing events, whether they are good, terrible, honorable, or even of murder, as being part of Kohlhaas and his actions for justice. As the story continues, Kohlhaas’ fight for justice is portrayed through his stubbornness to fight for what he believes is right, regardless of the consequences or laws against it. This desire for justice and for what is right is similar to that of Antigone’s desire for justice and what is right; she’s believes her brother deserves a proper burial because it is the right thing to do and regardless of the “laws” against it; Kohlhaas wants to bring justice to Tronka Castle so they can not bring injustice to others that pass through and to fight against the inhuman treatment done to his horses, regardless of the “laws” of Tronka Castle and of the political ties the von Tronka’s have.