“The court is now in session!” — Judge Adam
The Broken Jug is a comedic play by Heinrich von Kleist, set in a small Dutch village. The story unfolds in a single act, structured as a courtroom farce where the local judge, Adam, presides over a case involving a broken jug—a case in which he is secretly the culprit.
Opening Scene
The play begins in the courtroom of the village of Huisum, where Judge Adam is preparing to hear a case. The plaintiff, Frau Marthe Rull, accuses Ruprecht, a young peasant, of breaking her prized jug the previous night. She demands compensation, while Ruprecht insists he is innocent.
The Testimonies Begin
As witnesses are called, inconsistencies emerge. Ruprecht claims he saw a shadowy figure fleeing Marthe’s house, while his fiancée, Eve, gives vague answers. The court clerk, Licht, grows suspicious of Judge Adam’s nervous behavior and his attempts to steer the case away from the truth.
Judge Adam’s Downfall
Gradually, it becomes clear that Judge Adam himself was the intruder who broke the jug while attempting to seduce Eve. His injuries—a scratched face and missing wig—match the description of the fleeing culprit. As the evidence mounts, Adam’s authority crumbles, and he flees the courtroom in disgrace.
Resolution
With Adam exposed, the case is dismissed. Eve reveals she resisted his advances, and Ruprecht reconciles with her. The play ends with the villagers mocking the corrupt judge, while the broken jug becomes a symbol of justice prevailing over hypocrisy.
Key Ideas
- Corruption of authority figures
- Satire of judicial incompetence
- The clash between truth and deception
- Moral hypocrisy in power structures
- Comedic critique of human flaws
Who should read this book?
- Fans of satirical comedies and courtroom dramas
- Readers interested in 19th-century German literature
- Those who enjoy farcical tales of justice and hypocrisy