In Relation to King Lear

King Lear focused once again on the dynamics of family relationships, specifically between fathers and their children. Arguably, most of the relationships in Lear could be categorized as harmful, destructive relationships with betrayal after betrayal and ultimately a whole lot of deaths. However the one relationship that stood out so distinctly to me in the play was the one between Edgar and Gloucester. In a book filled with so much animosity between relatives, their relationship, stands out as a stark contrast, Edmund seems to care deeply for his father.
This powerful relationship I find most apparent in  Act IV, Scene i, where Gloucester and Edgar meet again, after Gloucester has lost his eyes and Edgar is in disguise. I believe this relationship holds its potency in the fact that both men have face severe betrayal by the same hand, as well as Edgar hiding his true identity. The betrayal of Edmund I believe brought the father and son together in a way that could not have occurred if Edmund hadn't been treacherous. With Edgar in disguise, he only reveals his emotions in asides, such as the heart wrenching phrase "Bless thy sweet eyes, they bleed." Though the father and son, are not able to fully restore their relationship to its previous nature, they kindle a new one in the brief timespan they have together. In which Gloucester reveals his weakness and accepts help and Edgar can express his compassion and devotion to his father, in spite of Gloucester being unaware he is with his legitimate son.
Sometimes it is the hardships in life that cause a relationship to be a positive healthy entity. They can piece together previously shattered relationships through shared adversity and create a new appreciation for that person.