Contextual views on family succession, illegitimacy, filial duty

Family Succession
- Family Succession refers to the transfer of assets, duties or obligations of one individuals to a family
heir
- The 16th/17th century in Britain were an uncertain time
- Religious identity crisis due to seperation of Catholic Church into Protestant etc.
- Succession no longer assured consistent political continuation
- Inheritance laws in Britain 16-18th century
- Women could inherit estates/land (contrary to popular belief)
- However once they married, the estate would be in the name of their husband
- Eldest children were to become heir/heiresses
- Goneril was jealous that this was not the case
- Fathers had complete control over who inherited estates
- King Lear relinquished control to Goneril and Regan
- He was arrogant, and played his succession as a game
- Cordelia refused to play and was banished
- He expected that because she was his favourite daughter, she would love him the
most

Illegitimacy
- The status of a child begotten
and born outside of wedlock
- Edmund and Edgar
- Throughout the 18th century
the rate of illegitimacy in
England rose to extreme heights
due to the low wages of factory
works and community control
- Wetnursing was a widespread
flourishing business
- lawsuits usually concern either
a child’s inheritance or the matter of obtaining support payments from a father who refuses to
acknowledge his paternity.

Filial duty
- Filial duty is the duty that one holds to their parents and grandparents
- Sons are required to support their parents and grandparents for the entirety of their lives whereas
daughters must do the same until marriage.
- This meant that in return, all daughters had a male
(father or husband) who they were dependent upon.
- The Father is the head of the house and has the power
in the family. All family members were to answer to
him.
- Filial duty primarily consists of :
- Physical care
- Love
- Service
- Respect
- Obedience