Louis II of Bavaria: a manly protest without manliness

Abstract

This essay offers an in-depth analysis of the life of Louis II of Bavaria, highlighting how the principles of Individual Psychology can illuminate the internal dynamics and conflicts of the monarch. The figure of Louis II emerges as that of a man deeply influenced by his strict upbringing and complex family relationships, which led him to develop an idealised vision of beauty and power. This ideal, however, clashed with a strong sense of inferiority and a desire for approval that isolated him further. The bond with Richard Wagner, a central figure in Louis II's life, is described as ambivalent and decisive. The composer's death marks not only the end of an era for the king, but also the beginning of a period of deep existential crisis. Louis II's reaction to the loss of Wagner reveals his inability to cope with reality, prompting him to take refuge increasingly in a world of dreams and fantasies, a supercompensation that culminates in a tragic epilogue. This article clearly shows the heuristic power of the Adlerian approach.