The Specter of Michael Kohlhaas: The Nebula of Legality, Legitimacy and the Sense of Justice in Heinrich von Kleist’s Novella and Antú Romero Nunes' Theater Play

Abstract

This article analyzes the dramaturgical perspective of Heinrich von Kleist’s novella and General Art director of Thalia Theater Antú Romero Nunes’ play Michael Kohlhaas in the sense of modern law and justice, the conflict between sovereignty and legitimacy, and the relationship between force and right. Both the novella and play of Michael Kohlhaas question the conflict of legality, legitimacy, and the sense of justice. Since the story of Kohlhaas has been a canonical work for both different artistic productions and sociology of law for two centuries, this article offers a conversation among Kleist's novella, Nunes' play, and the sociological analysis of modern law. From an interdisciplinary point of view, the article examines the construction and interpretation of the story of Michael Kohlhaas.