As I conclude my focus on the familial Shakespeare, I end with the play King Lear from which my research was inspired by. In King Lear, Shakespeare focuses on the filial relationships of Lear and Gloucester. "Lear and Gloucester are both flawed fathers who learn from what they suffer and are finally reconciled with a child they have mistreated" (Young 91)*.
"Though the play initially grounds the parent-child bond in nature, duty, and reciprocity, by the end, when Lear and Cordelia are reconciled, it becomes something of even greater value and significance." When Cordelia and Lear reconcile their relationship they use language of repentance, forgiveness and unconditional love. Cordelia asks for her father's blessing, and he kneels to ask for her forgiveness (Young 92).
King Lear, Act IV Scene VII
Shortly after the father and daughter have been reunited, Cordelia is captured and hung. Because Shakespeare made their earthly relationship short-lived, perhaps he was alluding that the importance did not lie in physical manifestations. How tragic the ending may seem, Cordelia and Lear captured the essence of an ideal parent-child relationship, and maybe even any familial relationship. Cordelia asks her father, "Sir, do you know me?" and he admits that his foolishness, ignorance and skewed perspective had previously made that question difficult to answer. But now, he is aware of his flaws and humbly accepts his daughter, "I think this lady/To be my child Cordelia". Hand in hand, Lear asks for his daughters support and forgiveness "You must bear with me./Pray you now, forget and forgive. I am old and foolish." I believe this is the scene where Shakespeare speaks the most about family. We see that repentance, forgiveness and unconditional love are the vehicles through which we may truly know those we call family.
After a career of fame, wealth, and status Shakespeare returned home to live out the last days of his life. Having been an absent father, I assume that as Shakespeare wrote King Lear, 10 years before his death, that he longed for the day when he could ask his family for forgiveness and to accept him back into the home. This is probably more speculation than not, but if you watch, listen, read and truly see the familial relationships in Shakespeare's literature, there is no doubt of the feelings--whether they be longings, lofty ideals, or realities--for his family.
*Family Life in the Age of Shakespeare by Bruce Young
"Though the play initially grounds the parent-child bond in nature, duty, and reciprocity, by the end, when Lear and Cordelia are reconciled, it becomes something of even greater value and significance." When Cordelia and Lear reconcile their relationship they use language of repentance, forgiveness and unconditional love. Cordelia asks for her father's blessing, and he kneels to ask for her forgiveness (Young 92).
King Lear, Act IV Scene VII
Shortly after the father and daughter have been reunited, Cordelia is captured and hung. Because Shakespeare made their earthly relationship short-lived, perhaps he was alluding that the importance did not lie in physical manifestations. How tragic the ending may seem, Cordelia and Lear captured the essence of an ideal parent-child relationship, and maybe even any familial relationship. Cordelia asks her father, "Sir, do you know me?" and he admits that his foolishness, ignorance and skewed perspective had previously made that question difficult to answer. But now, he is aware of his flaws and humbly accepts his daughter, "I think this lady/To be my child Cordelia". Hand in hand, Lear asks for his daughters support and forgiveness "You must bear with me./Pray you now, forget and forgive. I am old and foolish." I believe this is the scene where Shakespeare speaks the most about family. We see that repentance, forgiveness and unconditional love are the vehicles through which we may truly know those we call family.
After a career of fame, wealth, and status Shakespeare returned home to live out the last days of his life. Having been an absent father, I assume that as Shakespeare wrote King Lear, 10 years before his death, that he longed for the day when he could ask his family for forgiveness and to accept him back into the home. This is probably more speculation than not, but if you watch, listen, read and truly see the familial relationships in Shakespeare's literature, there is no doubt of the feelings--whether they be longings, lofty ideals, or realities--for his family.
*Family Life in the Age of Shakespeare by Bruce Young
