Ludwig 1845, Homosexual

In expectation of my coming book, How Madness Moulded History, I have been detailing the existences of several of history's unusual and tragic characters. Today, I am turning to a narrative of banned sexuality and sorrowful demise in the form of Bavaria's mad king, Ludwig II.

The existence and professional trajectory of Bavaria's King Ludwig II (governed 1864-1886) presents a compelling saga of proscribed affection, expanding psychological maladies, and ultimate heartbreak. We are beholden to Ludwig for a number of Germany's most exquisite architecture, as well as his patronage of the composer Richard Wagner. However, during his lifetime, he proved a controversial figure, solitary and emotive, and increasingly out of contact with the political realities of his dwindling kingdom. Ludwig reigned (and the phrase is used loosely) at the conclusion of Bavaria's self-reliance, precisely as it was forcibly linked to the German Empire of the Kaisers.

Most scholars nowadays concur that Ludwig was nearly certainly homosexual. For a period, he was betrothed to his cousin, Sophie Charlotte, with whom he shared a passion for the music of Richard Wagner (the extent of his fixation with Wagner could have been a warning sign for Sophie Charlotte). Nonetheless, this proposed union appears to have been a wellspring of immense pressure for Ludwig, and he ultimately called it off. Later, he maintained intimate relationships with multiple male companions. Being Catholic, his homosexual desires proved a source of turmoil for Ludwig, and lack of acceptance, whether religiously or socially, undoubtedly contributed to Ludwig's delicate mental state.

Yet, his infatuation for Richard Wagner is perhaps most fascinating. Wagner was assuredly not homosexual, having happily carried on a decade-long affair with the spouse of his conductor (Wagner afterward married the woman, Cosima, once she had divorced the conductor.) But Ludwig arguably grew smitten with him, without a doubt due to his music, but infatuations frequently concentrate on the musical stars of their day. Ludwig became a patron of Wagner, conferring considerable funds upon the older man, and spending considerable time in his company while Wagner resided in Munich.

To be equitable, letters in the nineteenth century more commonly incorporated flowery and even ardent language that could be misconstrued, in today's more blunt society, for expressions of romantic love. Yet, some of Ludwig's correspondence with Wagner are difficult to simply dismiss. At one juncture, separated from Wagner due to political machinations against Wagner in Munich, Ludwig wrote to Wagner's consort, Cosima, 'I tell you, I cannot bear to live away from him much longer. I suffer terribly…this is no passing, youthful infatuation…' Ludwig doesn't seem to have fully fathomed Cosima's connection with Wagner. Ludwig contemplated relinquishing his throne to join Wagner outside of Munich, but (perhaps sensing the conclusion of a gravy train being replaced with a useless hanger-on) Wagner himself discouraged Ludwig from such a drastic course.

Nevertheless, Wagner appears to have played up the infatuation when it was convenient for him (and, monetarily, it often was), employing flirtatious language in his letters to Ludwig. Writing to Ludwig during time spent together at one of the royal estates, Wagner proclaimed 'What joy enfolds me! A wonderful dream has become a reality! How can I find words to describe to you the magic of this hour?...I am in your angelic arms. We are near to one another…' Sure, Wagner was laying it on thick, but one can scarcely fault Ludwig for getting swept up in all of this. Wagner seems to have been chiefly motivated to keep his patronage going and may not have fully grasped the harm this might have inflicted on a fragile young man such as Ludwig.

Personal and professional adversities would ultimately sever Wagner and Ludwig. Since his adolescence, Ludwig had demonstrated indications of mental illness, including hearing voices. Inbreeding common among royal families at the time (only in the twentieth century would royals realize that marrying outside the family is a good notion, by which time it was too late for monarchy) may have contributed to Ludwig's problems, and his brother Otto was likewise confined for the majority of his existence due to mental health issues.

Ludwig became reclusive and devoted the majority of his energy to the arts and architecture. Most renowned of his structures is perhaps Neuschwanstein Castle, the inspiration for Disney's Sleeping Beauty castle. But he neglected his obligations as king of Bavaria, which remained substantial despite that Bavaria no longer functioned as an independent nationality. Although Ludwig defrayed the costs for most of his building projects from his own resources, he borrowed heavily and went into debt, and Bavaria commenced experiencing some of the financial ramifications. Although the scope of Ludwig's mental illnesses is debatable, his conduct was reclusive, peculiar and sometimes aggressive, rendering him an easy target for deposition.

Aided by several psychiatrists, most notably Bernhard von Gudden, Bavaria's ministers had Ludwig declared insane and deposed in favor of his uncle, who functioned as regent. The validity of this medical verdict remains very much in dispute as the evaluations of Ludwig appear to have been cursory at best. Ludwig was secluded at a castle, attended by von Gudden.

Several days later, Ludwig met his end. Ludwig had requested that he and his psychiatrist von Gudden walk together alone by a lake near the castle. When the pair did not return from their walk, their bodies were discovered in the lake. Exactly what transpired remains a conundrum. Von Gudden appeared to have been assaulted and drowned, although what happened to Ludwig was less clear. Had he murdered his psychiatrist realizing that von Gudden was the architect of his confinement? Ludwig undoubtedly had motive, and this seems the most plausible explanation for von Gudden's death. It's feasible that Ludwig subsequently had a heart attack and expired, owing to both the physical exertions of murdering von Gudden, coupled with the frigid temperatures of the lake. Naturally, in the absence of clarity, numerous conspiracy theories took hold. In any event, Ludwig remains a tragic individual, cursed with authority when all he craved was to listen to a good opera.