King Lear...Control issues.

I thought it was really interesting to bring up the issue of parental control being a theme in the play. I had truly controlling parents, and King Lear reminds me of that turmoil. It always felt as it my parents had forgotten that I was actually a separate human being than they were. They expected me to think and breathe on their cue. They tried to force me to believe what they believed, see what they saw, react how and when they said, and ultimately to live the life that they wished they would have. I can relate to Cordelia. Of all five of my parents children, My oldest sister rebelled wholly got pregnant at 16 and left home, which led to her moving in and out of the house, and forced her to have to kiss some major a#* each time. My brother fled to the Navy, after being kicked out the week before for not reorganizing the lawn chairs. My younger sister, is now 21 with 3 children, all born the last three consecutive July's. My baby sister is 17 and has a 6 month old daughter. My siblings hardly ever got in trouble growing up. They had the gift of flattery. I spent my childhood, and teen years, on restriction because of my mouth. I spoke up when I felt necessary, and didn't when I didn't see the point, always willing to except the consequences of my actions. I left home, was basically banished, at 17. I never returned. I ate top ramen every day for almost a year, worked a 45 hour split shift, and took 18 credits at a junior college in Cali. There is something to be said about being genuine. In the end, everyone can respect unwavering, sincere, honesty. Someone once said to me that, "beauty is honesty at the right time." In the beginning, King Lear seems to believe that his children exist for him, and not with him...because of him, and (God forbid) in spite of him. Perhaps this is the origin of parental angst in general. Once you lose control of your child, this means they are an adult...not a child...but still your child. I have a wonderful relationship with my parents today, I earned their respect by insisting on it (and never asking them for anything). That's what I love about Cordelia. It took for me to leave home, and never return for 4 years for my parents to see that I was serious, and reconsider their parenting-style. Luckily, it didn't take my life.

Just rambling....