gemacht! Arminius will ich wieder wiirdig warden!" (Kleist 1987).
Ironically, her own humanity is compromised by her inhuman actions.
Kleist's oeuvre creates a scale by which we can measure the
independence of his female characters. Penthesilea and the Amazons
represent the most independent of his female figures. By mutilating the
female form and instituting a matriarchy, the Amazons create a world in
which men are only relevant for procreation. Thusnelda, by contrast,
represents the other side of the spectrum. The ease with which Hermann
manipulates her views on the Romans suggests her continuing
adherence to the patriarchal world order. The figure of Kunigunde
suggests a middle ground. Her independence bears a striking similarity
to Penthesilea's; however, while she does not allow herself to be
manipulated by men, she does not try to overthrow the order of the world
she lives in.
Performing Female
Secondary literature generally reviles Kunigunde as playing with
male sentiment to her advantage. She enacts gender roles verbally and
physically. "Mein Retter! Wer ihr immer seid! Nehmt einer Vielfach
geschmahten und geschandeten Jungfrau euch an! Wenn euer ritterliche
Eid Den Schutz der Unschuld euch empfiehlt; hier liegt sie In Staub
gestreckt, die jetzt ihn von euch fordert!" (Kleist 360). Her prostration
before the count is pure performance. She emphasizes her helplessness
by positioning herself beneath him and emphasizes his male superiority.
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