His Monstrous Father - Frederick the Great - European History - Part 1 - Extra History
Extra History・11 minutes read
Frederick, crown prince of Brandenburg-Prussia, faced strict militaristic upbringing and abuse from his father Frederick-William, the Soldier King, due to his perceived effeminate traits and interests in music and philosophy. Despite his sexual orientation, Frederick made concessions to his father, including a forced marriage, in order to survive, eventually planning to rule differently once he ascended to power.
Insights
- Frederick of Brandenburg-Prussia endured severe abuse and oppression from his father, Frederick-William, who sought to enforce a militaristic, hypermasculine upbringing on him, stifling his interests in music and philosophy.
- Frederick's strategic compliance with his father's demands, including a forced marriage and austere education, served as a survival mechanism to navigate his father's tyranny and plan for a future where he could rule with a different vision, shaped by his own experiences of suffering and resilience.
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Recent questions
How did Frederick-William, the Soldier King, shape Frederick's upbringing?
Frederick-William enforced a strict, militaristic upbringing for Frederick, focusing on hypermasculinity and military training, despite Frederick's interests in music and philosophy. He subjected Frederick to physical and emotional abuse, burning his books and artwork, and accusing him of being effeminate.
What led Frederick to attempt an escape from his father's rule?
Frederick's sexuality, identified as gay, made it dangerous for him to live under his father's strict and abusive rule. This, coupled with his father's relentless focus on military training and hypermasculinity, led Frederick to plan an escape with his companion, Hans Hermann von Katte.
How did Frederick avoid execution after his failed escape attempt?
To avoid execution after his failed escape attempt, Frederick made a deal with his father, agreeing to a more austere education, marrying Elisabeth Christine, and submitting to his father's wishes. This deal allowed Frederick to escape death and continue living under his father's rule.
Why did Frederick reluctantly marry Elisabeth Christine?
Frederick reluctantly married Elisabeth Christine as part of the deal he made with his father to avoid execution. Despite his despair and reluctance, Frederick saw the marriage as a means of escape from his father's abuse, biding his time until he could ascend to power and become a different kind of monarch.
How did Frederick's tumultuous relationship with his father shape his future plans?
Frederick's tumultuous relationship with his father, Frederick-William, shaped his early life, leading him to endure abuse, make sacrifices, and ultimately plan for a future where he could rule as a different kind of monarch. Despite the hardships he faced, Frederick used his experiences to shape his vision for a more enlightened and progressive rule once he ascended to power.
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Summary
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Frederick's Escape from Father's Tyranny
- Frederick, crown prince of Brandenburg-Prussia, witnesses the execution of his companion, Hans Hermann von Katte, who had tried to save him from his father, the king of Prussia.
- Frederick's father, Frederick-William, known as the Soldier King, despised anything he deemed effeminate and extravagant, focusing heavily on military spending and creating a large army.
- Frederick-William enforced a strict, militaristic upbringing for Frederick, aiming to mold him into a hypermasculine, religious soldier king like himself.
- Despite Frederick's interests in music, books, and philosophy, his father forced him into a rigorous education focused on military subjects and ancient classics.
- Frederick's father subjected him to physical and emotional abuse, berating him, burning his books and artwork, and even accusing him of being a sodomite.
- Frederick's sexuality, identified as gay, made it dangerous for him to live under his father's rule, leading him to attempt an escape with the help of Katte, resulting in their capture and imprisonment.
- To avoid execution, Frederick made a deal with his father, agreeing to a more austere education, marrying Elisabeth Christine, and submitting to his father's wishes.
- Frederick's marriage to Elisabeth Christine was met with despair and reluctance, as he struggled with the forced union and his feelings of friendship being impossible.
- Despite his unhappiness, Frederick saw his marriage as a means of escape from his father's abuse, biding his time until he could ascend to power and become a warrior king.
- Frederick's tumultuous relationship with his father, Frederick-William, shaped his early life, leading him to endure abuse, make sacrifices, and ultimately plan for a future where he could rule as a different kind of monarch.
