Kohlhaas's Metamorphosis

The decision of whether one should fight for a sense of personal justice or work toward upholding the laws is a difficult one—this conflict is present in several novels, particularly those in which government plays a key role. Michael Kohlhaas is no exception; the titular character experiences an inner conflict of justice versus law and order from the beginning. Junker von Tronka, an important political figure, cheated him out of his rightful money, and so Kohlhaas felt as if he had no choice but to fight for his rights. This quickly escalates into less of a moral decision and into more of an obsession, bringing up the inevitable question: at what point does passion become infatuation? Kohlhaas begins his adventure driven by justice. He desires simply to have his horses’ health restored and returned to him. The Junker refuses, leading Kohlhaas to contact government officials in an attempt to rectify his situation. However, the request is promptly denied and Kohlhaas

Readers are later introduced to the Elector of Saxony, who is set on punishing Kohlhaas in order to take from him a piece of paper that supposedly states who will be the last ruler in the Elector’s familial lineage. What began as curiosity escalated into addiction. The difference between the two men lies within the root of their obsessions: Kohlhaas’s pragmatism versus the Elector’s superstition. The consequences the two men receive differ—Kohlhaas is punished by man via a death sentence that he readily accepts, whereas the Elector is indirectly punished by fate when Kohlhaas swallows the paper, thus making it so that his curiosity will never be satisfied. Kleist is making the argument that while general infatuation is toxic, those who preoccupy themselves with something which cannot be controlled will be more heavily