Talk:Wilhelm von Klopstock

From Gineipaedia, the Legend of Galactic Heroes wiki

Stomachache: Real or fake?

With ONW showing Friedrich IV was apparently aware of Reinhard's ambitions and Friedrich not being as stupid or all consumed in his own pleasures as perhaps might be assumed on first appearances, I wonder whether the stomachache was just an excuse. Lichtenlade had already admonished Friedrich for visting Braunschweig more often than Littenheim (and hence being seen to be playing favorites instead of playing one off the other by equal visits and favor to both). I wonder whether the stomachache was a way for Friedrich to be seen as a way to turn back so he would not be seen as favoring Duke Braunschweig too much but without the offense of a direct refusal to attend. In one sense the reason why there was an Imperial civil war at all was because of Friedrich's lack of nominated heir, and also due to neither Braunschweig or Littenheim having a clear decisive edge due to Friedrich's balancing act. Iracundus 13:14, 25 October 2013 (UTC)

Now that you mention it, Friedrich IV's actions did seem suspiciously convenient. Perhaps having Grimmelshausen as his long time advisor allowed him to learn how to better handle court politics? Glacierfairy 20:42, 25 October 2013 (UTC)

If i'm remembering correctly, the dialogue between Reinhard and Baroness Westpfale in the episode suggested that his 'stomach ache' was just a euphemism for being too drunk / hung-over  ♥ kine @ 07:34, 26 October 2013 (UTC)

That is their opinion of the excuse. However in this I can't help but think that Reinhard's own hatred and contempt for Friedrich IV has clouded his view. In ONW Friedrich's words about the Lohengramm Countship had a double meaning, referencing his own apparent lack of caring whether the Goldenbaum Dynasty survived or not. Friedrich strikes me as a ruler who is disinterested in ruling, interested in his own pleasures, but also not stupid. He does rule for over 30 years, which is considered unusually long, and one of the reasons I think he does so is because he makes others underestimate him as a controllable befuddled ruler so they attempt to use rather than overthrow him. Iracundus 09:37, 26 October 2013 (UTC)