The Broken Jug: Analysis of Major Characters
"The Broken Jug" is a comedic play that explores themes of justice and deception through its major characters. Central to the narrative is Adam, the village judge, who attempts to seduce Eve, a village girl. His actions lead to a confrontation with her betrothed, Ruprecht, resulting in Adam's hasty escape and his subsequent attempts to fabricate stories to hide his identity. Martha Rull, a determined villager, brings a broken jug to court, demanding justice and implicating Ruprecht in the incident. Ruprecht, under pressure, reveals that the jug was broken during a conflict involving Adam's attempted seduction of Eve. The character of Brigitte, Ruprecht's aunt, plays a crucial role by providing evidence that identifies Adam as the culprit. Other characters, such as Walter, the High Court counselor, and Licht, the court clerk, contribute to the chaotic atmosphere of the court proceedings. The interplay of these characters highlights the absurdities of authority and the quest for truth within a comedic framework.
The Broken Jug: Analysis of Major Characters
Author: Heinrich von Kleist
First published: Der zerbrochene Krug, 1811 (English translation, 1830)
Genre: Play
Locale: A village in The Netherlands
Plot: Farce
Time: Late eighteenth century
Adam (AH-dahm), the village judge. In an attempted seduction of Eve, a village girl, he is surprised by her betrothed, beaten by him, and forced to jump out of her window to escape recognition by his attacker. In spite of his invention of a series of unlikely stories designed to conceal his identity from the townsfolk and explain away the scars of battle, he eventually is found out, exposed before his court, and forced to flee the village to escape another beating.
Martha Rull (MAHR-teh rool), a village woman. She is in Adam's court carrying a broken jug and furiously demanding justice.
Ruprecht (REWP-rasht), Eve's suitor, who is accused by Martha Rull of breaking her pitcher. Under duress, he finally testifies that he broke the jug during an altercation with Eve's would-be seducer.
Eve (AY-fa), Martha Rull's daughter, who is engaged to Ruprecht and is the object of Adam's attempted seduction.
Brigitte (bree-GIH-teh), Ruprecht's aunt and a witness to the would-be seducer's hasty retreat from Eve's house. Her appearance in court with a wig dropped by the fleeing lover establishes Adam's identity as the culprit.
Walter (VAHL-tehr), a counselor of the High Court, who is on a tour of inspection, during which he finds Adam's court in a state of chaos.
Licht (lihsht), the clerk of the court.
Veit Tümpel (fit TEWM-pehl), Ruprecht's father.