King George III of
Britain ruled for 60 years (1760-1820), longer than any other King of Britain,
and is considered good king by many historians. George III was very popular in
the masses. He was the only British king who did not take a mistress and
remained loyal to his only wife (the king and queen had 15 children - 9 sons
and 6 daughters). He spent large part of his personal money on art and charity.
He was devout to religion and prayed for hours. For most part he acted like a
constitutional monarch supporting the initiatives of parliament though also
playing power politics. Early in his reign, Britain defeated France and became
dominant power in North America and India. Afterwards Americans battled their
freedom and became a nation which caused great frustration to him. Later in his
life, King George III suffered from some illness which affected his mental
balance.
The movie 'The Madness of King George' shows some of the realities which
he had to face even after being a king. When the king goes ill, doctors try
methods like bleeding and blistering him as a cure. When he appears mad, he is
pushed to ground and sat over by servants, chained in a chair to restrain him,
isolated in a castle, and he is treated like any old rag on the street - but
perhaps as a method of treatment. His son tries to capture power and the
parliamentarians openly ridicule him as a lunatic.
It shows how life is unfair
in a way; how life is a great leveler; how people respect your position and not
really you; how relationships change when situation changes...
© Rahul
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