Heinrich von Kleist, a poet-philosopher who set on a quest to define hope and happiness, and eventually got lost amidst his frustrations, created a fictional world populated with characters that are seemingly manoeuvred – even though they do possess coherent, stable will – and look like voiceless puppets on ill-intended strings, suffering from an overdose of reality. A close reading of his works is revealing for the author’s personal dramas, and, at the same time, crucial for an adequate understanding of his individuality. pp. 59–64

Keywords: marionette, escapism, elusive purposefulness