Wilhelm Gottsreich Sigismond von Ormstein, Grand Duke of Cassel-Felstein and King of Bohemia, was the fictional king in A Scandal In Bohemia. While the details of his reign, becoming first a duke and then being crowned king, were plausable for Bohemian kings, the actual king at that time was Francis Joseph who was also at the same time Austrian Emperor and King of Hungary. Bohemia was a region in what is now the Czech Republic.
The cabinet photograph that the King of Bohemia originally wanted Sherlock Holmes to recover remained with Irene Norton nee Adler; however, Holmes, Watson, and the king found a substitute photo in its hiding place, which Holmes kept, and there was a letter addressed to Holmes.
The king of Bohemia visits Sherlock Holmes to seek his help in retrieving a compromising photograph that could jeopardize his impending marriage to a Scandinavian princess. The photograph features the king with his former lover, Irene Adler, who threatens to use it to blackmail him. Concerned about the potential scandal, the king hopes Holmes can discreetly recover the image without drawing attention to the situation.
Sherlock Holmes Dr. John H. Watson Mrs. Watson Mary Jane (Watson's servant) Irene Adler John (Adler's coachman) King of Bohemia Clotilde Lothman Von Sax-Meningen King of Scandinavia Godfrey Norton Mrs. Turner various unnamed Londoners
In "A Scandal in Bohemia," Sherlock Holmes ultimately fails to retrieve a compromising photograph of Irene Adler, who outsmarts him by using her wits. Instead of keeping the photograph for herself, she decides to protect her marriage and not use it against the King of Bohemia. Holmes admires her intelligence and resourcefulness, acknowledging that she is "the woman" who has bested him. The story concludes with Holmes respecting her choice and leaving the matter unresolved in terms of retrieving the photograph.
In "A Scandal in Bohemia," the rising action begins when Sherlock Holmes is approached by King Wilhelm II of Bohemia, who seeks Holmes's help to retrieve a compromising photograph of him with the opera singer Irene Adler. As Holmes investigates, he learns about Adler's intelligence and resourcefulness, which complicates his task. The tension builds as Holmes devises a plan to infiltrate her home, leading to a series of clever maneuvers that highlight Adler's cunning. This escalating conflict sets the stage for the climactic confrontation between Holmes and Adler.
The cabinet photograph that the King of Bohemia originally wanted Sherlock Holmes to recover remained with Irene Norton nee Adler; however, Holmes, Watson, and the king found a substitute photo in its hiding place, which Holmes kept, and there was a letter addressed to Holmes.
The king of Bohemia visits Sherlock Holmes to seek his help in retrieving a compromising photograph that could jeopardize his impending marriage to a Scandinavian princess. The photograph features the king with his former lover, Irene Adler, who threatens to use it to blackmail him. Concerned about the potential scandal, the king hopes Holmes can discreetly recover the image without drawing attention to the situation.
Sherlock Holmes Dr. John H. Watson Mrs. Watson Mary Jane (Watson's servant) Irene Adler John (Adler's coachman) King of Bohemia Clotilde Lothman Von Sax-Meningen King of Scandinavia Godfrey Norton Mrs. Turner various unnamed Londoners
He refused to accept any rewards from the King, but instead requested that his only reward be the photograph which Irene Adler left behind. [Sherlock Holmes] bowed, and, turning away without observing the hand which the King had stretched out to him, he set off in my company for his chambers. -- John Watson, 'A Scandal in Bohemia'
In "A Scandal in Bohemia," Sherlock Holmes ultimately fails to retrieve a compromising photograph of Irene Adler, who outsmarts him by using her wits. Instead of keeping the photograph for herself, she decides to protect her marriage and not use it against the King of Bohemia. Holmes admires her intelligence and resourcefulness, acknowledging that she is "the woman" who has bested him. The story concludes with Holmes respecting her choice and leaving the matter unresolved in terms of retrieving the photograph.
In "A Scandal in Bohemia," the rising action begins when Sherlock Holmes is approached by King Wilhelm II of Bohemia, who seeks Holmes's help to retrieve a compromising photograph of him with the opera singer Irene Adler. As Holmes investigates, he learns about Adler's intelligence and resourcefulness, which complicates his task. The tension builds as Holmes devises a plan to infiltrate her home, leading to a series of clever maneuvers that highlight Adler's cunning. This escalating conflict sets the stage for the climactic confrontation between Holmes and Adler.
The cast of A Scandal in Bohemia - 1921 includes: Joan Beverley as Irene Adler Alfred Drayton as King of Bohemia Annie Esmond as Maid Miles Mander as Godfrey Norton Eille Norwood as Sherlock Holmes Hubert Willis as Dr. John Watson
The quote "Well, king, you guess this case is closed" is attributed to the character of Sherlock Holmes in Arthur Conan Doyle's story "The Adventure of the Sussex Vampire." In this story, Holmes addresses the King of Bohemia, reflecting on the resolution of a complex case. The phrase encapsulates Holmes's confidence in solving mysteries and the closure of the investigation.
In "A Scandal in Bohemia," the gentleman, who is actually the King of Bohemia, mentions that he might request his new governess, who is actually Sherlock Holmes in disguise, to help him retrieve a compromising photograph. This photograph involves a former lover, Irene Adler, and its potential exposure could jeopardize his royal position. The request highlights the lengths to which he is willing to go to protect his reputation.
In "A Scandal in Bohemia," the good guy is often considered to be Sherlock Holmes. He embodies intellect, integrity, and a sense of justice, as he seeks to protect the privacy of the King of Bohemia while also respecting Irene Adler's cleverness and autonomy. Despite his initial mission to retrieve a compromising photograph, Holmes ultimately recognizes Adler's worth and cunning, leading to a respectful admiration for her character. This nuanced view positions both Holmes and Adler in a morally complex light, with Holmes representing the ideals of justice and respect.
Irene Adler is not a traditional villain in "A Scandal in Bohemia"; rather, she embodies a complex antagonist to Sherlock Holmes. While she does outsmart Holmes and puts the King of Bohemia at risk by threatening to reveal his past affair, her motivations are rooted in self-preservation and autonomy rather than malicious intent. Adler's cunning and intelligence challenge Holmes, highlighting her as a formidable opponent rather than a straightforward villain. Ultimately, her character represents defiance against societal norms, making her more of an anti-heroine than a conventional villain.
Strictly speaking, it is not a true Sherlock Holmes book, in that it was not written by Conan Doyle. It is the first book of what is called the Mary Russell series, written by Laurie R. King.