The Broken Jug: Hidden Messages

Many comedies exploit particular human flaws, perhaps slipping on a patch of ice in slapstick comedy, or perhaps the language and mannerisms of a culture like in The Contrast.  The Broken Jug seems to do just this, but it also seems to be trying to drive home a message: that the court system is in need of reform.  This is in fact a German tradition, and often times referred to as Political Kabarett. 

In this comedy Judge Adam is clearly guilty, and anyone with half a brain can tell you that he is one hell of a shady guy.  This is clearly indicated with his the insane fabrications that he tells his secretary when being asked about the wounds he bears.  The audience also knows from his reaction to the people who came in with the broken jug that he had something to do with it.  This leaves the audience to wonder how long it will take for the people of the village to figure out that Adam is probably the one who committed the crime.  In fact, were it not for the help of an Judge from Utrecht and the clever assistant, Ruprecht would most likely have faced incarceration, since Judge Adam was perceived as the ultimate authority and above suspicion. 

This is not the first comedy to attempt to have this sort of impact on an audience.  It must avoid censorship, and so it is placed in the Netherlands and it is mixed in with all sorts of Dutch stereotypes like the maids walking around the house in Klompen shoes and the exaggerated love of cheese when Adam dumps a big block of cheese in front of Walter as a “snack”.  In all the ridicule and seeming mockery of the Dutch people, there seems to be this deeper message that is typically found in Political Kabarett, and does it in a subtle way.