Justice in Michael Kohlhaas
...me a lesson, with the hopes that such injustice will never be experienced by others. Therefore, in essence, the tragedies that will ultimately befall him as the story continues, are not the result or outcome of his own personal desire to seek revenge for his losses but rather out of his just heart to revenge the cruelty shown towards Herse and to assure that those who have committed such an injustice towards him will be never be able to do so to anybody else. Von Kleist writes, “it was now his duty to the world at large to exert all his powers in securing redress for the wrongs already perpetrated and protection for his fellow citizens against such wrongs in the future” (121) Even in the face of complete injustice, he evaluates whether or not the person deserves the punishment that he is fully capable of inflicting upon them. As is described in the book, “his sense of justice, which was as fine as a gold balance”. His extreme actions which are compelled by extremely noble make him a deviant. But a deviant, not associated with evil and sin, but rather he is a deviant because of his extremely just and noble heart. His incredible code of honor and his inability to compromise it are perhaps his tragic flaw, unable to compromise his beliefs, despite being offered multiple opportunities to save his life, Michael Kohlhaas must ultimately pay with his life. The society, in which Michael Kohlhaas lives is one full of corruption and injustices. It is ruled by selfish, manipulative, power-hungry, and wealthy noblemen. Ones who will destroy anyone or anything who should stand in the way of their power and reputations. It is they who set forth the laws, that are most in their favor, and thus plant the corruption into the law. And unfortunately for Michael Kohlhaas, it is they who have made it impossible for him to coexist in a society which practices such injustice and corruption. One in which success is not measured by the goodness and justness of one’s character but rather by who he knows, from what family he belongs, his wealth, and his rank. As the author describes, “experience had already given him a realistic sense of the imperfection inherent in the order of the world…” (121) Although Michael initially seeks to make right the injustice he has experienced and punish the accused in a most formal and cordial manner, by notifying the court of the offense done unto him by the accused, being Junker von Tronka and his wardsman and thus seeks punishment through the proper and correct societal means, through the court of law. Junker von Tronka being a man of great power, wealth, and possessing such an influential name, Michael Kohlhaas’s case against him is quickly dismissed and continually dismissed despite multiple appeals. He attempts to resolve the issue in every civil manner possible, but each time he is dismissed. His multiple attempts fail miserably and even lead to the death of his wife. And thus it would appear that society’s laws and the justice that it is meant to practice have failed him and he is then forced to take justice into his own hands. The interaction of the two aspects of justice are necessary to maintain social order, as is proven through the story. An individual must maintain his own code of honor, yet a society must set forth laws as well in order for social order to exist. For, it is one’s own personal set of morals and ethics that allows him to make the ultimate call as to whether or not a law is far or just or should be followed. Michael Kohlhaas, clearly saw an injustice within the law of his society at the time, and he set forth to make it right. If he had not held true to his own beliefs and ideals, he would mindlessly and silently oblige to the rules of society, allowing the corruption and injustice to continue or in his case, his fellow citizen would continue to be swindled by the Junker von Tronka. Yet, on the same token, had the law not ultimately prevailed Michael Kohlhaas coalition of armed men would continue to plunder and destroy villages, in the name of so called “justice”. The ending of the story combines both aspects of justice being one own code of honor and also requirements of the law. Michael ultimately is sentenced to death as punishment for his conspiracy to lead the army of men to continue their destruction and robbery of villages in return for his escape, which is an example of his reinforcement of society’s laws. But also, Junker von Tronka is sentenced to two years prison, to pay monetary fees for Herses medical fees, to return other supplies left at the castle and to fatten the horses and return them to their former state. Michael finally receives what he had sought for all along, justice. Therefore, had he not clung strongly to his own set of principles and code of honor and endured his many hardships and tribulations to make his cause known, he would never have experienced th...