1. Geography is a factor in this tale because borders and jurisdictions play an important role in determining the law and its application. So, when you see geographical indicators such as "beside the banks of the river Havel" (p. 114), look at the map of the area. The main thing is to be aware of whether something is located in Saxony or Brandenburg. Where is the Havel? What is the capital of Saxony? What is the capital of Brandenburg?

2. Find the line in the first paragraph that is intended to grab your attention. What does this portend?

3. "State privilege." What events mark MK's first border crossing? Note that a Junker ('J' pronounced as 'Y') is a nobleman and that there many territories and states within the Holy Roman Empire and that much land is held privately by nobles.

4. Pay close attention to the narration of the offense against MK up through Herse's story about his treatment (114-26). Does it sound objective? Or are there remarks that indicate bias?

5. What is the condition of the horses when MK comes to fetch them and where is the groom? (p. 119)

6. Why won't Kohlhaas (here and later) just take or ask for the 30 gold florins that he was ready to sell the horses for? Why does he insist on having them back in their prior condition? (p. 121)

7. "The horses were not the issue." If the horses are not the issue, what is? Has the material loss now yielded to an abstract principle? Why is he selling the farm? (pp. 130-31)

8. Why does Lisbeth think that she can get to the Elector of Brandenburg? What happens? (p. 135ff.)

9. On what authority does MK, the horse dealer, issue his edict? How does he characterize the authority behind the writ he issues on 148? (p. 138)

10. How does Luther respond to MK's burning of Wittenberg and other locations? What is MK doing when he notices Luther's proclamation? (pp. 149-50)

11. How does MK evoke the social contract (MK was pre-Rousseau, but Kleist read Rousseau with great interest) in his interview with Luther? (p. 152)

12. Prince Christiern of Meissen (you know, Prince Friedrich of Meissen's uncle) makes a causal assertion while suggesting that Kunz be prosecuted. He designates the crime at Tronka castle as the event that "had led to all the rest." Do you agree with the prince or do you dispute his opinion? (p. 158)

13. Hinz's solution (safe passage on the horse matter and prosecution for arson and murder) is, he says, acceptable "both to present public opinion and to posterity." How do these two audiences differ? Why must he satisfy either or both? (p. 159)

14. How are the horses located and recovered? Under what circumstances? (pp. 164-71)

15. Who is Johann Nagelschmidt and how does he affect the proceedings?

16. There are three overlapping jurisdictions involved here. What are they and how do they interact? (pp. 186-8)

17. The rest of the story may remind you of a fairy tale and you may be surprised by all of the coincidences. How does the Elector of Saxony find out about the piece of paper in the lead locket around MK's neck? (pp. 190-5)

18. What details does the Elector supply to complete the story of the gypsy woman? (pp. 199-202)

19. What course of action does MK embark on when he tells the gypsy woman, "Not for all the world, old lady...." (p. 207)

20. Describe the enormous significance of the Elector of Brandenburg's asking MK, "Are you satisfied with me?" (p. 211)

21. If Kohlhaas has been satisfied, why does he swallow the paper? Does he need more revenge? (p. 213)

22. Did you ever grow impatient with Kleist's narrator as you were reading "MK"? Do you have any advice for him on how to tell a story?

Discussion Questions

1. If we back up and view this tale from a distance, ignoring much of the detail on family relationships, motivations, jurisdictions, interpretations of law, we might say that this is a David vs. Goliath or the-little-guy-strikes-back type of narrative. Why is it this type of story? Now, why is it not this type of story? What speaks against the first interpretation?

2. How many types of law do we encounter here and what is the basis for each type of law?

3. Why doesn't the law work by itself here? Remember, even MK has "friends" who support the original lawsuit. What is the effect on our understanding of law of all of these interventions? Identify a few and draw conclusions.

4. What is the moral of this story or does it have one? Are there lessons to be learned here? Are important statements being made about law and its application? About justice and its costs?

5. BEFORE THE LAW. You read Kafka's short piece for the second lecture. Summarize "Before the Law" (describe the physical circumstances and tell what happens) and then speculate on its relevance to "Kohlhaas." What are the similarities in the two protagonists' relationship with the Law? Name one important difference between the man from the country and Kohlhaas.