Michael Kohlhaas Response

In Michael Kohlhaas, Kleist first describes him as “the most honourable as well as one of the most terrible men of his age.” (p. 114) At this very paradoxical statement in the beginning of the story, one must ask how a man can be both “honorable” and “terrible” when the two characteristics seem to conflict. However, the incident with the two black horses and Junker Wenzel von Tronka explains the cause for the description due to the fat that it alters Kohlhaas’ life forever thereafter. The event was, in fact, an injustice done by Junker von Tronka and that he had done similar damages to other travelers. So naturally, I expected either the Junker von Tronka himself or some form of authority to settle the matter, as it would only be fair. However, neither occurred and Junker von Tronka thought himself too mighty and rich to be required to pay Kohlhaas fairly. And although Kohlhaas was “determined to seek redress in a public court of law,” (p. 126) this goal was never realized. Every single appeal to authority he made was dismissed because Junker von Tronka’s relatives were those in authority. Even Lisbeth, Kohlhaas’ wife, tried to give a letter about the matter with von Tronka, to the elector himself; however, she was struck by a guard’s lance and later died. Up until this point, I was truly sympathetic towards Kohlhaas’ situation. He had done everything in a peaceful, logical manner trying to gain justice for von Tronka’s actions.
But instead of heeding his wife’s last words from the bible, “‘Forgive your enemies; do good also onto them that hate you,’” (p. 137) Kohlhaas did the exact opposite. He never forgave Junker von Tronka and went on a killing and pillaging spree with his followers in an attempt to murder him. At this point, Kohlhaas’ logic had shattered. After losing his beloved wife and selling all his property, there was nothing really left for him to lose. Though his actions were violent, it was the unfair feudal system that drove Kohlhaas towards such action. And if one cannot get the government to help with an issue or injustice, sometimes direct action and protest is necessary. However, I only wish that Kohlhaas found another way to act instead of hurting innocent people. The loss of homes and lives was not worth the two black horses. Kohlhaas should have realized that his wife was trying to tell him to let the incident go and just move on. But also, the government should have settled the matter fairly in the first place. Thus, in a sense, Kohlhaas got his goal by the end of the story, but also had to be executed for his own unjust actions.