Parent & Child Relationships in King Lear and Oedipus Rex

1. Parent & Child Relationships in King Lear and Oedipus Rex

2. “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

3. '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

4. '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

5. '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