Hailed as one of the comic masterpieces of German literature, The Broken Jug has delighted audiences for almost 200 years and is widely considered the comic counterpart to Oedipus. In the play, Mother Marthe Rull comes before the local village judge, Adam, to claim damages for her broken jug. It would seem that her favorite jug was broken by a midnight visitor to her daughter's bedroom. To make matters worse for Adam, the district judge happens to be passing through the area on a tour of inspection. Adam quickly finds his reputation and position are at stake as he races to uncover the culprit. What begins as a small court claim becomes a fast-moving, fast-talking courtroom battle of wits until the suprising culprit is exposed and justice is served.

About the Author: Heinrich von Kleist was born in 1777 in Frankfurt. He moved soon after the early death of his father in 1788 to the house of preacher S. Cartel and went to a French secondary school. In 1792 he entered the Potsdam corps regiment. Kleist participated in the Rhein expedition (1796), became a lieutenant (1797) and was excused from service in 1799. Then he studied philosophy, physics, mathematics and political science in Frankfurt. Durring this time he wrote several novels and plays, re-entered civil service and was kicked out under the suspicion of spying. Kleist died in 1811.