June 19, 2001

  • Difficult Decision?


    I have a buddy of notable stature, at times dominating demeanor, and with the ability to cast an unflinching evil-eye stare, who, nonetheless always manages to get girls around the bar to laugh and giggle when he coyly smiles and pronounces: "I love to watch."


    The first recorded voyeur was a common man turned king, Gyges (r. c. 680-c. 652 BC), who attained his position by murdering the former ruler after seeing his wife nekkid.


    It began when the arrogant king of Lydia, Candaules, believing his wife to be the most beautiful woman in all the world, boasts of her sexual prowess to one of his bodyguards, a man named Gyges. Sensing his disbelief, he felt the only way to prove himself right was for Gyges to see his wife nude. The bodyguard protested, saying such an act would dishonor the queen and that "one should mind one's own business." More likely he was afraid of the dreadful punishment awaiting him if he were caught. But Candaules was unwavering. He arranges for him to hide behind the door of their nuptial chamber. When his queen enters and disrobes for the evening, Gyges gets a remarkable look at her exquisite physique, and sneaks awestruck out of the room when her back is turned.


    Alas, "the woman glimpsed him as he went out, and perceived what her husband had done. But though shamed, she did not cry out or let it be seen that she had perceived anything, for she meant to punish Candaules." She readied those of her household that were most faithful, and summoned Gyges. When he arrived, the lady addressed him, "Now, Gyges, you have two ways before you; decide which you will follow. You must either kill Candaules and take me and the throne of Lydia for your own, or be killed yourself now without more ado; that will prevent you from obeying all Candaules' commands in the future and seeing what you should not see. One of you must die: either he, the contriver of this plot, or you, who have outraged all custom by looking on me uncovered." (Herodotus, Histories 1.8-11)


    He reluctantly consents to her demands and waylays Candaules in the bedchamber. She keeps up her solemn pledge, and he, thus married to the very woman he voyeuristically gazed upon, rules Lydia for 28 years.


    I hate it when life is filled with such tough decisions.

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