The Scales of Adoration

Around the period of the First World War the King of the United Kingdom said to the then Earl of Derby “My father was frightened of his mother, I was frightened of my father, and I am damned well going to see to it that my children are frightened of me.” One of the most powerful men in the western world during a time of great strife said this about the ones closest to him in his life. Why would a man of such potentially great compassion in one of the most fruitful nations of its time feel this way about love and the way to raise a child? The truth is the love of a father for his child is a complicated and delicate matter, especially when that child will inherit the responsibilities of ruling a great nation of the modern world. On one hand you want to hand your child the world and all you have gained so they might enjoy the fruits, live off of your wealth of wisdom, and take your lineage to greater heights than you yourself were able to. On the other hand, being placed in a position of great responsibility through such gifts may very well corrupt and weaken the growth of a person. Francis Bacon, the English Philosopher said “.” In Anthony Harvey’s film adaptation of the Broadway play “The Lion in Winter” many of these themes are explored through the eyes of the twelfth century King of England, Henry II, as he tries to bring peace to his heirs, his wife, and the son and heir of his life-long enemy, the King of France. The first noticeable dysfunction in this Royal family is Queen Eleanor’s imprisonment for conspiracy and manipulations toward the crown and its heirs. She is held in her residence and only allowed out for Christmas. This particular story took place on one such Christmas instance in which she was released to see her three sons and husband. The interest begins here, as there is no open hostility and everyone is met with calm demeanor. What makes this so curious is the potentially hateful or at the least resentful speech taken up by the King and his Wife