The Broken Jug

The Broken Jug (German: Der zerbrochne Krug, pronounced [deːɐ̯ t͡sɛɐ̯.ˈbʁɔx.nə kʁuːk] , also sometimes translated The Broken Pitcher) is a comedy written by the German playwright Heinrich von Kleist. Kleist first conceived the idea for the play in 1801 after looking at a copper engraving in Heinrich Zschokke's house entitled "Le juge, ou la cruche cassée". In 1803, challenged over his ability to write comedy, Kleist dictated the first three scenes of the play, though it was not completed until 1806. Johann Wolfgang von Goethe first staged the play in Weimar, where it premiered on 2 March 1808. The Broken Jug follows the story of a judge who presides over a trial where he has to settle the question of who had broken a jug in the room of a young woman late one night, while himself acting highly suspiciously both before and throughout the whole trial.