Michael Kohlhaas

"Michael Kohlhaas" is Heinrich von Kleist's early 19th century novella based upon the real historical 16th century story of Hans Kohlhase. A German merchant from Colln, Kohlhase is attacked by the servants of a Saxon nobleman, Gunter von Zaschwitz, while he is on his way to a fair in Leipzig. As a result of the attack, Kohlhase has his horses stolen and subsequently suffers significant losses to his business. The dispute between Kohlhase and Zaschwitz soon develops into a full-blown feud that w ...