The Emperor's New Clothes

Hans Christian Andersen · c. 1837 CE · Folktale · Nordic · Romantic

An emperor who cares for nothing but his wardrobe receives two weavers offering cloth invisible to anyone unfit for his post or hopelessly stupid. His ministers are sent to inspect the empty looms and come back reporting on colours and patterns none of them can see, and a procession is arranged. Andersen took the frame from a medieval Spanish exemplum and moved the sting from rank to the ordinary cowardice of agreeing.

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