BS: Looking at kings

Subject: BS: Looking at kings
From: mack/misophist
Date: 05 Mar 03 - 11:44 AM

In the movie 'The Madness of George III' there are one or two scenes where the king shouts 'Don't look at me!'. This confuses me. Since he is doing nothing to be modest about, why does he shout? Was there a law or custom about looking the king in the eye? If so, what were the details, was it English or a German import? A Google search of 'A cat may look at a king.' was unhelpful. This is one of those things that pop into mind every 6 months or so. It finally came to me that there is a place to go for imformation. This place.

Subject: RE: BS: Looking at kings
From: Cluin
Date: 05 Mar 03 - 12:51 PM

Coz `e was mad.

Subject: RE: BS: Looking at kings
From: MMario
Date: 05 Mar 03 - 01:04 PM

something many parents have heard siblings yell at each other - sometimes on frequent occasions.

The weight of ones gaze is evidently painfully heavy under certain circumstances.

Subject: RE: BS: Looking at kings
From: smallpiper
Date: 06 Mar 03 - 05:31 AM

Looking someone in the eyes can be very thretening. Especially if the person is unballanced in any way. He was responding agressivly to what he percieved as agression.

Subject: RE: BS: Looking at kings
From: mooman
Date: 06 Mar 03 - 06:11 AM

George III suffered from the condition porphyria which, at times caused him to lose his grip on reality, and eventually killed him. I suspect that the scenes in the film referred to were meant to reflect his increasing paranoia as a result of his medical condition but I stand to be corrected.

moo

Subject: RE: BS: Looking at kings
From: Amos
Date: 06 Mar 03 - 10:28 AM

Turning one's gaze away from a leader is required in many cultures -- it's a sign of submission to the Divine Will of the Potentate. Not a good idea, though!! In G3's case, he was probably just being paranoid.

A

Subject: RE: BS: Looking at kings
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 06 Mar 03 - 10:34 AM

A cat may look at a king. . .

Subject: RE: BS: Looking at kings
From: Rapparee
Date: 06 Mar 03 - 11:14 AM

Isn't porphyria one of the diseases thought to be the root of the belief in vampirism? Could it be that G3 was growing fangs or didn't reflect in a mirror? 8-)

Subject: RE: BS: Looking at kings
From: mack/misophist
Date: 06 Mar 03 - 06:45 PM

Porphyria causes extreme sensitivity to light.

Subject: RE: BS: Looking at kings
From: McGrath of Harlow
Date: 06 Mar 03 - 07:28 PM

The concept of "dumb insolance" is common in hierarchical organisations, such as the military. Essentially it consists of looking at people in authority in a way that is interpreted as disrespectful, unimpressed, or contemptuous. Most parents must surely have come up against it as well.

Subject: RE: BS: Looking at kings
From: katlaughing
Date: 06 Mar 03 - 07:45 PM

In many Native American cultures it is considered very bad manners to look one's elders in the eye. This was a real problem for children who were incarcerated in government run schools as the non-Native teachers didn't understand the children not "looking at me when I speak to you" and punished them for it. It is not such a taboo these days that I have heard except among the older folk and traditionalists.

kat

Subject: RE: BS: Looking at kings
From: GUEST, herc
Date: 06 Mar 03 - 07:54 PM

Well, thanks for this, I finally have a literary background reference for those peculiar proclamations by Frank in Blue Velvet.

Subject: RE: BS: Looking at kings
From: Kim C
Date: 07 Mar 03 - 11:20 AM

I'm with Amos - I believe I have read somewhere before that in some places, a person isn't supposed to look the monarch in the eye, if at all - which, I think, is why you see people bow down in the streets & such. At least that's how it is in the movies, anyway...

Subject: RE: BS: Looking at kings
From: *daylia*
Date: 07 Mar 03 - 11:46 AM

Well, these days you can look at 'em at least. Sometimes even talk to 'em! But it's not always a very rewarding experience ...

King George

Subject: RE: BS: Looking at kings
From: Rapparee
Date: 07 Mar 03 - 01:40 PM

I understand that even today the proper way to approach the King of Thailand (yes, it's a monarchy) is to crawl to the throne. This is because you should not have your head higher than the king's, as well as not looking at him.

The last time I looked at kings, I was one short of a good hand....

Subject: RE: BS: Looking at kings
From: mack/misophist
Date: 07 Mar 03 - 11:59 PM

In classic Japanese culture, an underling who spends much time with the boss will sit at right angles to him so the boss can read his expression but not the reverse. In some primitive groups, the tribe's mana is thought to reside in the chief, and having the hoi polloi gaze too closely at him will damage or dilute it.

In the movie, the other characters regarded not looking at the king as normal. Except for his caretaker, who insisted on looking him in the eye to keep tabs on his condition. I posted the question because the movie made it seem an ordinary part of court life. Had it been an American movie, I wouldn't have asked. The Brits are usually pretty accurate, though.