Théophile Gautier's King Candaules is a sophisticated historical novella that reimagines a classic tale from Herodotus, exploring themes of pride, possession, and the destructive power of beauty. The story is set in ancient Lydia and centers on its king, Candaules, who is so infatuated with the exquisite beauty of his wife, Queen Nyssia, that he believes no description can do her justice. Driven by a foolish and hubristic desire to have his admiration validated, he insists that his most trusted bodyguard, the soldier Gyges, secretly witness the queen in her naked splendor. Gyges is horrified by this breach of all moral and royal code, but is compelled to obey his king. He hides in the royal bedchamber and, upon seeing Nyssia, is indeed overwhelmed by her divine beauty. However, the queen discovers his presence. The next day, she confronts Gyges, presenting him with an ultimatum: either he must kill King Candaules for his unforgivable transgression and marry her, or he himself will be executed immediately. Gautier's lush, painterly prose elevates the story into a profound psychological drama about the objectification of women, the violation of privacy, and the deadly consequences of a man treating his wife as a mere art object to be displayed for his own vanity.

Table of Contents:

- King Candaules (Full Story)