"Gyges und sein Ring" by Friedrich Hebbel is a five-act tragedy written in the mid-19th century. The story is set in a prehistorical and mythological context, revolving around the characters Kandaules, the king of Lydia; his wife Rhodope; and Gyges, a Greek who becomes entangled in a web of desire and betrayal. The play explores themes of power, morality, and the human condition through the fable of a ring that grants its
wearer invisibility. The opening of the play introduces us to Kandaules and Gyges, as the king prepares for a festival and shows off a new diadem. Kandaules, buoyed by vanity, expresses his contempt for the Greeks and seeks to demonstrate the might of Lydia. He is keen to present Gyges, whom he regards as his favored companion, to his wife Rhodope, hinting at impassioned schemes involving her beauty. Gyges, however, is hesitant, aware of the moral implications of spying on the queen. As the tension builds, Kandaules reveals a magical ring that can make its wearer invisible, setting the stage for a clash between loyalty, desire, and the devastating consequences of unchecked ambition that will unfold in subsequent acts. (This is an automatically generated summary.)
