Author
Heinrich von Kleist
1777-1811
Heinrich von Kleist (1777-1811) is a public-domain author available on Rivro. Read free books, explore subjects, and discover related classics.
Subjects
Books by Heinrich von Kleist
Der Zerbrochene Krug
"Der Zerbrochene Krug" by Heinrich von Kleist is a comedy written in blank verse and considered one of his most famous works. In a Dutch village courtroom around 1685, Judge Adam must preside over a case involving a broken jug—but he himself is the culprit. As evidence mounts and witnesses testify, Adam desperately manipulates the proceedings to conceal his guilt. This analytical drama builds toward the revelation of what really happened that fateful night in Eve's chamber.
Ausgewählte Schriften
"Ausgewählte Schriften" by Heinrich von Kleist is a collection of selected works written in the early 19th century. This anthology includes various short stories, showcasing themes of human experience such as suffering, conflict, and the supernatural, with notable pieces like "Das Bettelweib von Locarno" and "Das Erdbeben in Chili" highlighting moral dilemmas and societal critique. The opening of the collection introduces the first story, "Das Bettelweib von Locarno," set against the backdrop of an ancient castle near Locarno in the Italian Alps. The narrative begins with a sickly beggar woman who, out of compassion, is taken in by a Marchese’s family but tragically dies after being ordered to move. Years later, as the Marchese faces financial ruin and attempts to sell the castle, a knight staying in the same room reports terrifying ghostly occurrences related to the beggar woman's death. The Marchese, skeptical at first, soon undergoes a chilling experience that compels him and his wife to confront the frightening truth of their castle's tragic past, culminating in disaster as he sets the castle ablaze in despair. This opening sets the tone for Kleist's exploration of fate, societal norms, and the human psyche.
Penthesilea
"Penthesilea" by Heinrich von Kleist is a tragedy written in 1808. The play reimagines the mythological Amazon queen who enters the Trojan War to capture Greek warriors as potential husbands—a sacred Amazon tradition. When Penthesilea and the hero Achilles meet on the battlefield, they fall passionately in love. But their mutual desire collides violently with Amazon law, which demands that warriors defeat men in combat before claiming them. A devastating misunderstanding transforms love into fury, leading to a shocking climax that explores the dangerous boundary between passion and destruction.
Das Käthchen von Heilbronn: Oder, die Feuerprobe
"Das Käthchen von Heilbronn: Oder, die Feuerprobe" by Heinrich von Kleist is a historical knight drama written in 1807–1808. When a blacksmith's daughter mysteriously follows a count after he visits her father's forge, she faces accusations of enchantment before a court. The count believes a noblewoman is his destined bride, revealed through prophetic dreams. Yet the devoted Käthchen endures a trial by fire that exposes hidden truths about deception, identity, and imperial secrets. This tale of devotion and destiny captivated nineteenth-century audiences despite its controversial themes.
Prinz Friedrich von Homburg
"Prinz Friedrich von Homburg" by Heinrich von Kleist is a drama written in 1809/1810. A young Prussian cavalry general disobeys orders during battle and leads his regiment to victory. Despite the triumph, the Great Elector has him arrested and sentenced to death for insubordination. The prince must confront his fear of dying and grapple with questions of military discipline, personal freedom, and duty to the state. Will he accept his fate or seek pardon by declaring the sentence unjust?
Heinrich von Kleist's politische Schriften und andere Nachträge zu seinen Werken
"Heinrich von Kleist's Politische Schriften und andere Nachträge zu seinen Werken" is a collection of political writings and essays written in the 19th century. This compilation, edited by Rudolf Köpke, reveals Kleist’s reflections on the socio-political climate of his time, demonstrating his engagement with themes of patriotism, national unity, and individual struggle. Through a variety of satirical letters and philosophical musings, the work examines the complex relationship between literature and politics during a tumultuous period in German history. The opening of the collection presents a heartfelt dedication to Friedrich von Raumer, honoring his sixty years of service. Following this, an introduction discusses Kleist’s despair over Germany's political state, illustrated through a poignant view of his attempts to reconcile his artistic ambitions with a deep sense of national identity. It highlights his belief in the inherent value of his work for the homeland amid widespread neglect and criticism. The introduction sets the tone for the subsequent pieces, which encompass a range of prose and poetry that aim to inspire, inform, and provoke thought on the responsibilities of both the individual and society during times of crisis.
Mikaeli Kohlhas : $b Saksalainen tapakomedia Lutheruksen ajoilta
"Mikaeli Kohlhas: Saksalainen tapakomedia Lutheruksen ajoilta" by Heinrich von Kleist is a novella published in 1810. When a horse trader's animals are unlawfully seized by a nobleman, he seeks justice through legal channels—only to find the courts corrupted by aristocratic influence. After his wife dies attempting to deliver a petition, Kohlhaas abandons the law and begins a violent campaign of vengeance. This tale of betrayed justice escalates from a simple property dispute into an explosive confrontation between one man's moral outrage and the established order.