Parent & Child Relationships in King Lear and Oedipus Rex

“I loved her most, and thought to set my rest on her kind nursery “I loved her most, and thought to set my rest on her kind nursery.' - Lear A01 – Lear favours Cordelia over her two sisters, could this be a motive for their actions? A02 – superlative 'most' highlights the strength of Lear's feelings for Cordelia over his other children, 'nursery' has connotations of childhood a place where you are safe and cared for – is Lear seeking the love usually given by a mother? A03 Critics – Coppelia Kahn, suggests because there are 'no real mothers in King Lear' there is a parent/child role reversal and Lear begins to act like a disobedient child who is seeking attention A03 Comparison – in Oedipus Rex, Jocasta does not act stereotypically like a mother (no nurture, care) and abandons Oedipus at birth 'ankles tied' A04 – Lear's dependence upon Cordelia in his elderly age was not uncommon when Shakespeare was writing – some parents made children sign lawsuits to guarantee their care once they gave away their property

'Why bastard? Wherefore base?' - Edmund A01 – Edmund cannot understand why he must be treated so different from his brother because of where he has come from and this is a key reason for his betrayal A02 – Pysma in the soliloquy, alliteration, emphasis on the negative words to describe Edmund A03 Critics - 'To Edmund 'nature' is a force encouraging the individual to think only of the fulfilment of his own desires – to work for his own success, even if that involves him trampling others (perhaps his own flesh and blood) – J Dover Wilson A03 Comparison – After discovering the truth, Oedipus feels he no longer belongs in his family, as though in a way he too has become 'illegitimate' A04 – When Anne (27 years Shakespeare's senior) became pregnant, it was believed he married her in a 'shotgun' wedding to avoid such social embarrassment that Edmund faces

'Come, lets away to prison; we too alone will sing like bird l'th' cage' – Lear A01 – Lear longs to be 'alone' with Cordelia, describing her also as his 'joy,' could this be meant in a sexual or romantic nature? A02 – Metaphor 'birds l'th' cage' suggests despite confinement Lear would be content as long as he is with Cordelia A03 Critics – some critics suggest Lear has sexual desire for Cordelia A03 Comparison – Incestual relationships within Oedipus Rex (Freud theory – natural desire for our family members?) A04 – In some productions, Cordelia could enter in scene 1 on the arm of her father to show she is favoured

'Better to live at random, best we can 'Better to live at random, best we can. And as for this marriage with your mother—have no fear. Many a man before you, in his dreams, has shared his mother’s bed.' - Jocasta A01 – Irony, Jocasta cannot see that to 'live at random' holds great risk and has dangerous consequences A02 – Superlative 'best' when in fact living this way, has created the worst kind of fate for Oedipus. 'Random' – connotations of something unplanned, accidental – just like the bonds Oedipus has formed A03 Critics – Oedipus Complex – Freud believed boys subconsciously desire their mothers and struggle to form bonds with their fathers due to castration anxiety A03 Comparison – does Lear have a natural desire for Cordelia? A04 – Idea of 'fate' – strong believe in Greek gods and mythology, evident by decisions characters make based on the curse. ie. Jocasta abandoning her baby