Family
‹ 10 · Outline · 12 ›
11.Brothers, sisters, kinsmen and fosterage
11a.Brotherly love and loyalty
Homer, The OdysseyVol. 22
- p. 89–90Nausicaa returns to her father's palace, surrounded by her brothers.read · scan
- p. 130Aeolus's children, six sons married to six daughters, feast together in the household.read · scan
- p. 332–333Three generations, Laertes, Odysseus and Telemachus, fight together and rejoice in shared valour.read · scan
Confucius, The Sayings of ConfuciusVol. 44
- p. 17Brothers refuse to supplant each other out of respect for their father's wishes.read · scan
- p. 38Ssu-ma Niu mourns having no brothers; told all within four seas are brethren.read · scan
Aesop, FablesVol. 17
- p. 40A dying father gives his sons parting advice to stand together.read · scan
Aeschylus, The Libation-BearersVol. 8
- p. 83–85Electra longs for her brother and condemns her murderous mother who bears no mother's heart.read · scan
- p. 85–87Orestes reveals himself to Electra; she pours out fourfold love as daughter, sister and child of a hated mother.read · scan
The Book of PsalmsVol. 44
- p. 313–315Brotherly unity likened to precious oil and dew, bringing blessing.read · scan
Sophocles, AntigoneVol. 8
- p. 255Antigone appeals to sisterly and kin bond, insisting Polynices is still their brother and deserves burial.read · scan
- p. 255Antigone loves her brother and will rest beside him; Ismene recalls the family's doom.read · scan
- p. 267–272Sisters' bond, Ismene refusing life bereft of Antigone, and Creon's charge that he reared two 'accursed ones'.read · scan
Herodotus, An Account of EgyptVol. 33
- p. 58A thief has his own brother cut off his head to protect him, and the grieving mother threatens the surviving son to recover the body.read · scan
Euripides, The BacchaeVol. 8
- p. 432–435Father and daughter grieve at parting, Agave reaching for Cadmus like a swan yearning as old swans die.read · scan
- p. 435–436Agave and Cadmus lament their parting and exile, weeping for each other and for her sisters.read · scan
Marcus Tullius Cicero, Letters of CiceroVol. 9
- p. 90Cicero assures his brother Quintus he is not angry, grieves that his consulate cost him brother, children and country, and weeps.read · scan
- p. 90Recalls being blessed in brother, children, wife; depends on his brother's means and worries about his family's ruin.read · scan
- p. 94–95Longs for his brother's company; daughter Tulliola meets him on her birthday.read · scan
- p. 97Cicero says he loves his brother Quintus for his loyalty and virtue; hints at domestic troubles.read · scan
- p. 100Cicero arranges housing and a visit for his brother, wishes him health and longs to see him.read · scan
Virgil, The AeneidVol. 13
- p. 389Juturna's sisterly grief and care for her brother Turnus.read · scan
Plutarch, PericlesVol. 12
- p. 45Elpinice pleads with Pericles for her brother Cimon.read · scan
Pliny the Younger, Letters of PlinyVol. 9
- p. 273–274Brother's generous affection at the recitation; young men honoring their ancestors and kindred.read · scan
Marcus Aurelius, The Meditations of Marcus AureliusVol. 2
- p. 198Thanks for his brother and for his children not being stupid or deformed.read · scan
Chapters from the KoranVol. 45
- p. 927–928Jacob reluctantly entrusts Benjamin to his sons, demanding a compact from God; Joseph reveals himself to his brother.read · scan
- p. 928–929Brothers plead for Benjamin for the sake of their aged father; Jacob laments the lost Joseph.read · scan
The Destruction of Dá Derga's HostelVol. 49
- p. 224The three princes are sons of the king of Erin, bound by brotherly hearts and companionship.read · scan
Stories from the Thousand and One NightsVol. 16
- p. 5Two royal brothers, one inheriting the kingdom; the elder longs to see his younger brother.read · scan
- p. 13Sisters embrace in farewell; the younger is summoned to prompt the tale.read · scan
- p. 20–21A father's legacy and the narrator's generosity to two ruined brothers, whom he twice restores and to whom he gives half the gain.read · scan
- p. 23–24The brothers, now dogs, weep and cling to him; he seeks their restoration.read · scan
- p. 100The youngest sister supports her half-sisters as a parent would, and they return to her after failed marriages.read · scan
- p. 100–101The narrator welcomes her ruined sisters back, dearer to her than anyone.read · scan
- p. 153–154The barber lists his seven brothers, all named for talkativeness.read · scan
- p. 162–164He compares his six brothers, each maimed, with himself.read · scan
- p. 166–168The barber brings his lame brother back and supports him with food and drink.read · scan
- p. 170The barber brings his brother back secretly and gives him a maintenance.read · scan
- p. 173–174The narrator retrieves his flogged brother and supports him with food and drink for life.read · scan
- p. 176The narrator rescues his brother and provides for his daily needs.read · scan
- p. 331–332The sea-kin weep at reunion after four years and offer to take Jullanar home; she chooses to stay with her husband and coming child.read · scan
- p. 332She hopes for a son to inherit the King's possessions; her brother and cousins put her welfare above their desire to take her home.read · scan
- p. 427–428Ali Baba shares his treasure with his brother to secure secrecy.read · scan
Songs from the Elder EddaVol. 49
- p. 407–409Gudrun's warning token to her brothers shows kinship loyalty; her vengeance for brothers frames the song.read · scan
- p. 409–412Gudrun warns her brothers as sister of their peril.read · scan
The Song of RolandVol. 49
- p. 151–153Olivier invokes his sister Alda and threatens Roland will never wed her; refers to Roland's noble kindred.read · scan
The Story of the Volsungs and NiblungsVol. 49
- p. 264Signy pleads for her captive brothers but cannot save them from a she-wolf devouring them.read · scan
Dante Alighieri, PurgatoryVol. 20
- p. 250Dante's joy is compared to the sons who rescued their mother Hypsipyle, and Guinicelli is called a father to him.read · scan
Sir Thomas Malory, The Holy GrailVol. 35
- p. 156–157Ector will not be merry until he hears news of his brother Launcelot.read · scan
- p. 167Bors's love for his brother Lionel creates his distress.read · scan
- p. 167–168Bors would not let his brother be slain for all the earth.read · scan
- p. 168–169Bors mourns his brother and buries him in a marble tomb.read · scan
- p. 181–182The gentlewoman reveals she is Percivale's sister, daughter of King Pellinore, and loves him most; he is glad.read · scan
- p. 202Ector, brother of Launcelot, loves and dreads him; King Pelles tells Launcelot his daughter is dead.read · scan
Benvenuto Cellini, The Autobiography of Benvenuto CelliniVol. 31
- p. 16Father blesses his exiled sons, dying with joy at the chance for his son's musical training; brothers stay together.read · scan
- p. 83–84Cellini and his brother, each thinking the other dead, reunite joyfully; the sister faints, mourns her losses, then merry supper turns to talk of weddings.read · scan
- p. 100–101Cellini finds his dying brother Cecchino and vows to avenge him; brotherly bond and loyalty.read · scan
- p. 171His sister weeps and laughs over his homecoming.read · scan
Ambroise Paré, Journeys in Diverse PlacesVol. 38
- p. 42–43Grief for a brother's death betrays the prisoner's identity; his ransom depends on uncle and aunt.read · scan
- p. 53–55The duke, the marquis's brother, rejoices at the patient's relief.read · scan
- p. 57–58The duke and duchess celebrate the marquis's recovery, keeping open house and giving thanks for their brother's care.read · scan
Michel de Montaigne, That to Philosophise Is to Learne How to DieVol. 32
- p. 12–13His brother Captain Saint Martin died at twenty-three from a blow by a tennis ball.read · scan
Michel de Montaigne, Of FriendshipVol. 32
- p. 72–75He praises his indulgent father and the concord of brothers.read · scan
Sir Francis Drake, Sir Francis Drake RevivedVol. 33
- p. 164The captain's brother John dies; John acts in honor of his brother's charge and reputation.read · scan
- p. 165–166Joseph Drake, the captain's brother, dies in his arms.read · scan
Miguel de Cervantes, The History of Don Quixote of the Mancha, Part IVol. 14
- p. 389–390The gentleman reveals Don Pedro is his brother, now married, rich and father of three sons.read · scan
- p. 428The judge weeps for his lost eldest brother; the brothers' careers chosen by their father; the father prays daily to see his son alive.read · scan
- p. 428–429The judge longs to ransom his brother and is astonished to find him present with his sister-in-law; kinship recognized.read · scan
- p. 429Brothers embrace, recount their fortunes and show true brotherly love; arrangements for the father and for Zoraida's marriage.read · scan
William Shakespeare, The Tragedy of Hamlet, Prince of DenmarkVol. 46
- p. 107Brother counsels sister; Ophelia retorts he should not preach the thorny path while treading the primrose path.read · scan
- p. 179–182Brother's love for his sister and grief over their dead father; Ophelia mourns her fatherread · scan
- p. 186–189Laertes mourns his drowned sisterread · scan
- p. 196Laertes mourns his sister; the Queen laments she hoped Ophelia would be Hamlet's wiferead · scan
- p. 197–199Brotherly love and mourning for a sister; the Queen anxiously protects her son.read · scan
Izaak Walton, The Life of Mr. George HerbertVol. 15
- p. 374–375Account of Herbert's brothers and sisters, their careers and marriages.read · scan
John Milton, Poems Written at Horton, 1632-1638Vol. 4
- p. 51She grieves the loss of her brothers as a real loss of kin.read · scan
- p. 72Shared youth as fellow shepherds nursed on the same hill recalls close companionship.read · scan
Blaise Pascal, LettersVol. 48
- p. 321Letter to his sister expresses affection and constant thought of her and her designs.read · scan
- p. 321–322Writes to his sister Jacqueline and wishes to see her; reception owed to his father.read · scan
- p. 324They are brothers and children of the same father, conceived in a design.read · scan
- p. 328–329Siblings praise and thank sister for perseverance and share joy in mutual faith.read · scan
- p. 340Pascal urges the family to share among themselves the love owed their dead father, loving each other moreread · scan
- p. 344–345Letters between siblings and father; anxiety over sister's illness, news of relatives, a child's healthread · scan
- p. 345–346Brother reassures sister she is not forgotten and asks her prayersread · scan
John Dryden, PoemsVol. 40
- p. 387–388Her brother at sea vows for his return, unaware he will find her dead, last embrace already given.read · scan
John Locke, Some Thoughts Concerning EducationVol. 37
- p. 91Sharing makes brothers and sisters kinder to one another.read · scan
Jean Racine, PhaedraVol. 26
- p. 149–150Aricia mourns her six slain brothers and the ban on her marrying that ends her line.read · scan
Benjamin Franklin, His AutobiographyVol. 1
- p. 27–28Brother-in-law writes urging his return, assuring him friends in Boston wish him well.read · scan
- p. 31His brother John receives him affectionately at Newport.read · scan
Johann Wolfgang von Goethe, The Tragedy of Faust, Part IVol. 19
- p. 157–159Valentine's brotherly pride in his sister turned to wrath over her dishonour.read · scan
- p. 162–164Brother dying over sister's shame; Margaret cries out at her brother's death.read · scan
Johann Wolfgang von Goethe, EgmontVol. 19
- p. 322–323She asks Brackenburg to support her mother and be like a brother, as her own brother died young.read · scan
Richard Brinsley Sheridan, The School for ScandalVol. 18
- p. 124–125Joseph rebukes the gossips for disregarding a brother's feelings.read · scan
William Wordsworth, PoemsVol. 41
- p. 635–639He sees in his sister his former self and hopes she will remember him and his exhortations.read · scan
- p. 666–668A cottage girl insists that she and her brothers and sisters, living and dead, are seven.read · scan
- p. 668–670The child recounts sister Jane's and brother John's deaths and remains one of seven, tending graves near her mother.read · scan
Alessandro Manzoni, I Promessi Sposi (The Betrothed)Vol. 21
- p. 569–570Sick children cry for mothers; parents, brothers and sisters support and comfort each other on the way to the Lazzaretto.read · scan
Jacob and Wilhelm Grimm, Household TalesVol. 17
- p. 80Lost, hungry siblings depend on each other; the old woman offers false shelter.read · scan
- p. 83The children return to their grieving father, the stepmother is dead, and they live together happily.read · scan
- p. 107Parents, seven sons and a long-awaited daughter; the sister sets out to rescue her brothers.read · scan
- p. 108Her sacrifice is for her brothers, and she leaves her parents' ring as a sign.read · scan
- p. 109Brothers recognize the parents' ring, and the sister's arrival restores them; siblings reunite and go home.read · scan
- p. 133–134A sister flees a step-mother to seek her brothers; siblings' loyalty and grief at their enchantment and her devotion.read · scan
- p. 213A poor widow and her two devoted daughters live in harmony; the mother teaches sharing and the sisters vow never to part.read · scan
George Gordon, Lord Byron, PoemsVol. 41
- p. 791–792Tender address to his sister; home with her is his haven, despite differing ties and family fate.read · scan
- p. 792–794Addresses his sister, wishing her with him amid the scenery.read · scan
- p. 794–796Bond with his sister endures from life's commencement to its decline; the tie lasts to the end.read · scan
- p. 801–802Seven brothers share a father's fate; the surviving brother mourns as they are chained and die.read · scan
- p. 803–804The eldest brother tries to sustain and cheer his two younger brothers, the favoured youngest and the hunter, in shared captivity.read · scan
- p. 804The narrator grieves his beloved brother and begs a burial where daylight might shine.read · scan
- p. 805The narrator's cherished youngest brother, his mother's image and his father's dearest thought, fades and dies, leaving him bereft.read · scan
- p. 808–809He avoids treading on his brothers' graves and feels their loss deeply.read · scan
Percy Bysshe Shelley, The CenciVol. 18
- p. 346Bernardo tenderly watches his sister and grieves; Beatrice's cell seems paradise compared with her father's presence.read · scan
- p. 347–350Giacomo mourns his betrayal of his sister and thinks of his wife and children; Beatrice comforts Lucretia.read · scan
- p. 353Bernardo mourns the bond of love between mother and sisters broken by their deaths.read · scan
- p. 355Beatrice's farewell to her brother and mother; small intimacies of dressing hair recall shared life.read · scan
Thomas Hood, PoemsVol. 41
- p. 908–910Sisterly, brotherly, fatherly, motherly feelings have changed; she is homeless; poet remembers childhood home and brother.read · scan
Hans Christian Andersen, TalesVol. 17
- p. 251–252She takes silent leave of her father's palace and sisters, forever quitting them.read · scan
- p. 253–254She secretly visits her sisters and old grandmother nightly, who grieve for her.read · scan
- p. 255–256Her grandmother and sisters watch mournfully from beneath the waves.read · scan
- p. 257–258Her sisters sacrifice their hair to the witch and grandmother mourns, trying to save her.read · scan
- p. 267–268She dreams of her brothers together, remembering their shared childhood.read · scan
- p. 268–269Eliza seeks her lost brothers, thinking of them and asking after them.read · scan
- p. 269–270Eliza's search for her brothers is rewarded as she sees the eleven swans arrive.read · scan
- p. 270Sister and brothers reunite joyfully; they mourn their buried mother and their exile from father-land and childhood home.read · scan
- p. 271–272Brothers weave a net and carry their sister, sheltering her with their wings and gathering food for her.read · scan
- p. 272–273Eliza fears she is the cause of her brothers' peril, and they cling together on the rock.read · scan
- p. 274Sister's devotion to her enchanted brothers drives her sacrifice; the youngest brother's tears heal her.read · scan
- p. 276Sorrow for her brothers weighs on her heart more than the crown's pain; marriage and sibling loyalty.read · scan
- p. 277–278Her suffering is all for her brothers, and the swan brother finds her.read · scan
- p. 279Brothers return to human form through sister's labor; she falls into their arms.read · scan
- p. 285–286East Wind cajoles his mother to free his brother with the gift of tea.read · scan
Robert Browning, A Blot in the 'ScutcheonVol. 18
- p. 382Brother and sister bonds, contrasted with parents' and husband's love, and their gradual estrangement as she grows.read · scan
- p. 386–388Mildred cites having no mother; Austin is urged to take his sister's hand.read · scan
- p. 399Tresham recalls childhood memories with his sister, the lilies and Gerard, before confessing the day's deed.read · scan
11b.Quarrel and reconciliation among siblings
Homer, The OdysseyVol. 22
- p. 21Aegyptus mourns his son slain by the Cyclops while another son consorts with the wooers.read · scan
The Book of PsalmsVol. 44
- p. 225–226Estranged from his brethren and his mother's children.read · scan
Marcus Tullius Cicero, Letters of CiceroVol. 9
- p. 85Cicero laments his brother Quintus's estrangement, caused by others' artifices, and hopes kinship and old affection will restore reconciliation.read · scan
Luke, The Gospel According to LukeVol. 44
- p. 395–396Elder son resents father's welcome of the prodigal brother; father affirms the bond of sonship and rejoicing over the lost son's return.read · scan
Epictetus, The Golden Sayings of EpictetusVol. 2
- p. 129–130Quarrel and reconciliation between brothers.read · scan
- p. 148Common birth and upbringing do not make brothers friends.read · scan
- p. 177Bear a brother's wrong by taking hold of the handle that he is your brother, comrade of youth.read · scan
Chapters from the KoranVol. 45
- p. 922–923Joseph's brothers, jealous of their father's love for him, plot against him; Jacob fears for his son.read · scan
- p. 923–924Jacob, shown a bloodied shirt, sees through his sons' lie and resolves on patience; Egyptian couple think of adopting Joseph.read · scan
- p. 926Joseph's brothers come to him unrecognised; he demands their other brother and they plead with their father.read · scan
- p. 929–930Reunion of Joseph with brothers and father; the father's sight restored, the family brought to Egypt.read · scan
Stories from the Thousand and One NightsVol. 16
- p. 22Brothers jealous of his marriage and wealth attempt murder, yet he pleads for their lives as kin.read · scan
- p. 105She proposes to take the young man as her husband; her sisters betray her out of envy.read · scan
- p. 328–329Jullanar explains her silence as grief at separation from mother and brother; she quarrelled with her brother and left the sea.read · scan
- p. 426–427Kasim neglected his poor brother after marrying wealth and now envies him instead of rejoicing.read · scan
Songs from the Elder EddaVol. 49
- p. 396–397Gudrun recalls her mother rearing her, her brothers, marriage to Sigurd, and her brothers' envy leading to his slayingread · scan
The Story of the Volsungs and NiblungsVol. 49
- p. 284–286Regin tells of his brothers Fafnir and Otter and of Hreidmar their father, whose sons quarrel over the treasure.read · scan
- p. 295–296Regin laments that Sigurd has slain his brother, claiming guilt-free status only with difficulty.read · scan
Sir Thomas Malory, The Holy GrailVol. 35
- p. 172–174Lionel angrily accuses brother Bors of abandoning him and threatens death; Bors kneels begging forgiveness.read · scan
- p. 174Bors owes his elder brother reverence and pleads the love that ought to lie between brothers; Lionel refuses.read · scan
- p. 175Lionel would murder his own brother in wrath over past neglect.read · scan
- p. 175–177Bors dreads killing his brother and pleads for God's love; he calls the war unkindly.read · scan
- p. 178The brothers reconcile, each forgiving the other.read · scan
Francis Bacon, Essays, Civil and MoralVol. 3
- p. 23–24Near kinsfolk and those bred together envy their equals when raised, as Cain envied Abel.read · scan
William Shakespeare, The Tragedy of King LearVol. 46
- p. 225–226Edmund, a bastard, plots to take his legitimate brother Edgar's land and deceives Gloucester with a forged letter.read · scan
- p. 227–228Gloucester laments son against father and cracked bonds between kin, and is deceived about Edgar.read · scan
- p. 228–229Edmund poisons Edgar against their father with false warnings, exploiting a credulous father and noble brother.read · scan
- p. 289–291Sisters rival for Edmund; Regan says her husband is dead and speaks of Goneril's unloving marriage.read · scan
- p. 306Regan and Goneril quarrel over marrying Edmund; Albany bars Regan's claim as Goneril's husband.read · scan
William Shakespeare, The TempestVol. 46
- p. 399A brother's betrayal of a brother; Miranda doubts a grandmother could bear such a son.read · scan
- p. 422–424Antonio supplanted his brother Prospero; Sebastian would betray his brother the King.read · scan
- p. 453–454Prospero recalls the cruelty of his brother Antonio, who expelled remorse and natural bonds.read · scan
- p. 455Alonso mourns his son Ferdinand; Prospero refuses to call his usurping brother by that name.read · scan
Thomas Dekker, The Shoemaker's HolidayVol. 47
- p. 530–531Hans asks Eyre to obtain the king's pardon and reconcile him with his uncle.read · scan
Izaak Walton, The Life of Dr. John DonneVol. 15
- p. 332Reconciliation between Sir George and his son and daughter, with a promised portion; Donne settles wife and children at Mitcham.read · scan
Blaise Pascal, LettersVol. 48
- p. 326–327Letter smooths a family misunderstanding; father's displeasure softened, and disturbance of family peace acknowledged.read · scan
John Locke, Some Thoughts Concerning EducationVol. 37
- p. 90Siblings should learn deference and civility; parents reprove the insolent privately and require reparation.read · scan
Voltaire, Letters on the EnglishVol. 34
- p. 75–76Father and son reconcile at the Vice-Admiral's death despite differing faiths.read · scan
Benjamin Franklin, His AutobiographyVol. 1
- p. 19–20Quarrels with his brother-master, who beats him; disputes are brought before their father.read · scan
- p. 20–21Brothers' differences, blows and resentment despite loyalty during imprisonment.read · scan
- p. 21–22Father sides with brother, so he must leave secretly.read · scan
- p. 29–30Franklin's return home meets a warm family welcome but his brother's resentful coldness; the mother seeks a reconciliation between brothers.read · scan
- p. 96Reconciliation with his brother, raising the brother's son, and grief at the death of his own young son.read · scan
Richard Brinsley Sheridan, The School for ScandalVol. 18
- p. 118–119Joseph professes sympathy for his brother's distress while plotting against him.read · scan
Friedrich Schiller, William TellVol. 26
- p. 406An uncle's reproach of his estranged nephew, who feels a stranger in the house.read · scan
Jacob and Wilhelm Grimm, Household TalesVol. 17
- p. 157Sibling rivalry over inheritance: elder brothers scorn the youngest and pester their father to change the terms of succession.read · scan
- p. 158–159The old king's sons quarrel over succession; the elder brothers clamour against the youngest inheriting.read · scan
- p. 211–212Two-eyes marries the knight, and later welcomes her impoverished sisters, who repent their cruelty.read · scan
Hans Christian Andersen, TalesVol. 17
- p. 224–225Even its mother and siblings turn against the duckling and wish it far away.read · scan
- p. 316–317The needle's account of the five brothers of the finger family mocks their haughty rivalry.read · scan
Charles Darwin, The Voyage of the BeagleVol. 29
- p. 230Jemmy's own brother steals from him.read · scan
- p. 232–233Jemmy's wife explains his change of feeling; York's betrayal of Jemmy and his mother.read · scan
11c.Duties to kin and the claims of blood
Homer, The OdysseyVol. 22
- p. 140–141Odysseus reflects on beheading Eurylochus even though he is a near kinsman.read · scan
- p. 222–223Odysseus tests Telemachus' kinship, asking that even Laertes, Penelope and servants not learn of his return.read · scan
Confucius, The Sayings of ConfuciusVol. 44
- p. 24–25When the gentry are true to kinsmen, love thrives among the people.read · scan
- p. 63A prince should not forsake kinsmen.read · scan
Aesop, FablesVol. 17
- p. 13–14Cousins host each other with hospitality.read · scan
Aeschylus, Prometheus BoundVol. 8
- p. 188–189Io is addressed through her father Inachos and kinship with the Oceanid chorus.read · scan
The Book of JobVol. 44
- p. 99–100Kinsfolk, servants, wife and children estrange and despise Job.read · scan
Sophocles, Oedipus the KingVol. 8
- p. 225Creon's kinship to Oedipus via his sister Jocasta grounds his claim to equal share of rule.read · scan
Euripides, The BacchaeVol. 8
- p. 368–369Semele's sisters slandered his mother's honor; he vindicates her fame.read · scan
Plato, The Apology of SocratesVol. 2
- p. 21Fathers and brothers of the supposedly corrupted youth are present to testify for him.read · scan
Marcus Tullius Cicero, On FriendshipVol. 9
- p. 15–16Kinship exists in name without affection, but friendship cannot exist without it.read · scan
- p. 32Scipio's deference to his elder brother; we should help friends whose parents and relations are humble.read · scan
Marcus Tullius Cicero, Letters of CiceroVol. 9
- p. 85–86He hopes broken family ties will be restored and that his relations and friends will love one another.read · scan
- p. 90–94Commends daughter, son, brother's family and Terentia to his brother's protection.read · scan
- p. 116Cicero ranks Caesar next after his brother and children in regard; affection for his nephew, who dines with him.read · scan
- p. 180Cicero works in the interests of Brutus's sister's children.read · scan
Virgil, The AeneidVol. 13
- p. 137–142Andromache gives gifts, seeing her lost son Astyanax in Ascanius; kindred affection between the two houses.read · scan
Luke, The Gospel According to LukeVol. 44
- p. 355–356Kinswomen Mary and Elisabeth meet, the child leaping in the womb for joy.read · scan
Luke, The Acts of the ApostlesVol. 44
- p. 474Paul's sister's son learns of the plot and warns him.read · scan
Plutarch, AlcibiadesVol. 12
- p. 145Alternate account: brothers of a noble young woman he debauched avenge the family indignity by burning his house.read · scan
Plutarch, CoriolanusVol. 12
- p. 178–179Valeria goes to Marcius's mother and wife, appealing to kinship as women to women.read · scan
Epictetus, The Golden Sayings of EpictetusVol. 2
- p. 128–129Fellow men, even slaves, are brothers and kinsmen sharing divine descent.read · scan
- p. 144Duties to parents and brothers listed among obligations.read · scan
- p. 153Brother's ill-treatment does not release me from acting rightly by him.read · scan
Tacitus, GermanyVol. 33
- p. 104Children nursed by their own mothers, maternal uncle honored like father, kin inherit, and many descendants bring reverence.read · scan
- p. 104One inherits family enmities and friendships; homicide is compensated with livestock to pacify the whole family.read · scan
Pliny the Younger, Letters of PlinyVol. 9
- p. 248Pliny and wife travel to visit her grandfather, a happy family reunion.read · scan
- p. 370–371Pliny regards his friend's relations as his own and praises the son as worthy of his father.read · scan
Marcus Aurelius, The Meditations of Marcus AureliusVol. 2
- p. 198Good grandfathers, parents, sister and kinsmen credited as blessings.read · scan
- p. 230Examine your conduct toward parents, brethren, children, teachers, kinsfolk.read · scan
Chapters from the KoranVol. 45
- p. 949Bonds of religious fellowship temporarily take precedence over blood kinship in inheritance, until blood relations are declared nearer by the Book.read · scan
BeowulfVol. 49
- p. 15Hrothgar recalls Ecgtheow, who married Hrethel's only daughter, and welcomes their son as a kinsman.read · scan
- p. 57–59Marriage of Hygd-like brides, kinship greetings and Hygelac's concern for his kinsman Beowulf; a queen prospers as bride of Offa.read · scan
- p. 64Kinsmen should not weave nets of wiles or plot treachery; Hygelac and nephew guard each other's weal; inheritance of land.read · scan
Stories from the Thousand and One NightsVol. 16
- p. 66The prince and his cousin, born the same day, visit each other; kinship bonds him to the cousin's request.read · scan
- p. 66The cousin relies on kinship, asking help of the son of his uncle.read · scan
- p. 69–70The uncle weeps for his lost son and his brother's fate, and wrath and grief mix in the family.read · scan
- p. 238–239Proceeds from a drowned man's goods are to be conveyed to his family in Baghdad.read · scan
- p. 249He rejoins family and relations and gives alms and gifts to all.read · scan
- p. 259He returns to family and friends, giving alms to widows and orphans.read · scan
- p. 272Sindbad returns to Baghdad, meets his family and companions, who rejoice at his safety; he cares for orphans and widows.read · scan
- p. 281He greets his family and companions in Baghdad, who congratulate him on his safety, and gives them presents.read · scan
- p. 289He returns home and meets his family and brethren.read · scan
- p. 294Sindbad returns home and meets his family and brethren.read · scan
- p. 329She says her family must come for the birth and will learn how the King has treated her.read · scan
- p. 337Salih and his kin, longing for home, take tearful leave of the King and promise to visit and never relinquish him.read · scan
- p. 341Boy brings news of an uncle; the mother doubts any such kinsman exists, knowing her husband's brother is dead.read · scan
- p. 343The Moor mourns his 'brother' at the dead man's seat, persuading the widow of his kinship.read · scan
- p. 343The Moor tells of longing for his brother and native land, and being comforted by the brother's son; blood is loving to its like.read · scan
- p. 428Ali Baba goes out to seek his brother and recovers the body to bury it, out of kinship duty.read · scan
The Voyages to VinlandVol. 43
- p. 17–19Leif spares his sister and foretells that her descendants will suffer.read · scan
Songs from the Elder EddaVol. 49
- p. 431–433Borgny, secretly bedded by Vilmund without her father's knowledge, bears twins; Oddrun helps as kinswoman.read · scan
The Song of RolandVol. 49
- p. 121–122Karl's love for his nephew Roland; Marsil's nephew asks the boon of striking him down.read · scan
- p. 179–180Karl mourns his nephew Roland with kinship tenderness.read · scan
The Story of the Volsungs and NiblungsVol. 49
- p. 305Brynhild fears hatred from her future wife's kin.read · scan
- p. 325–326Hogni values Sigurd as brother-in-law and father to their sister's son.read · scan
Dante Alighieri, HellVol. 20
- p. 78Nicholas, of the Orsini ('she-bear'), enriched his 'whelps' or kin through office.read · scan
- p. 119Geri's death goes unavenged by his kinsmen, who share his shame; Dante is of his blood.read · scan
Dante Alighieri, PurgatoryVol. 20
- p. 223–225Adrian asks remembrance of his kinswoman Alagia, hoping the corrupt example of their house does not spoil her.read · scan
Dante Alighieri, ParadiseVol. 20
- p. 344The saints desire their bodies perhaps for kindred, mothers and fathers whom they lovedread · scan
Thomas à Kempis, The Imitation of ChristVol. 7
- p. 349–350Offers prayers for the needs of parents, brothers, sisters and friends.read · scan
Traditional BalladsVol. 40
- p. 109–110He gathers marchmen of his own name, kinsmen, to join the rescue.read · scan
Sir Thomas Malory, The Holy GrailVol. 35
- p. 105Launcelot meets his cousins Bors and Lionel; Galahad, his unrecognized son, has been raised by nuns.read · scan
- p. 147The hermit leaves his hermitage to help his nephew Aguarus, kinship loyalty.read · scan
Benvenuto Cellini, The Autobiography of Benvenuto CelliniVol. 31
- p. 29–30Rage is heightened by the obligations his cousin owed his family; the enemy family kneels screaming for mercy.read · scan
- p. 168Cellini's brother-in-law rejoices to find him alive and tends him for several days.read · scan
- p. 261Remembering his suffering sister and nun cousins, he chooses the route to Florence to see them.read · scan
- p. 262–263His cousins and convent receive him with the greatest kindness at Viterbo.read · scan
- p. 266–267Cellini and his companions are received with kind attentions at the house of his sister and her husband.read · scan
- p. 346–347He plans to settle his sister's and nieces' affairs before leaving.read · scan
- p. 357He returns home glad to comfort his sister and her six daughters.read · scan
- p. 375–376He regrets leaving France, having returned to Florence to succour his six nieces.read · scan
Michel de Montaigne, The Author to the ReaderVol. 32
- p. 4Montaigne writes his book for kinsfolks and friends so they may retain a living likeness of him after his death.read · scan
Michel de Montaigne, Of FriendshipVol. 32
- p. 72Filial and brotherly bonds are matters of respect and duty, hindered by inequality and shared goods; kin may be fools or bad.read · scan
Miguel de Cervantes, The History of Don Quixote of the Mancha, Part IVol. 14
- p. 420Captive is recognized by his uncle, who embraces him, telling of the family that wept for him as dead.read · scan
- p. 426The Captive recognizes the judge as his brother and worries whether he will acknowledge a poor kinsman; the curate offers to prepare the reunion.read · scan
Sir Walter Raleigh, The Discovery of GuianaVol. 33
- p. 364The Spaniards turn his nephew against him, and kinship ties are used in the political struggle.read · scan
Ben Jonson, The AlchemistVol. 47
- p. 647–649Kastril rages to protect his sister's reputation, while Ananias calls her a harlot and denies her kinship.read · scan
- p. 662–664Kastril, angry at his sister's marriage, is won over by Lovewit's fellowship and offers a larger dowry; marriage and kinship.read · scan
Philip Massinger, A New Way to Pay Old DebtsVol. 47
- p. 872–873Overreach disowns his wife's nephew Wellborn as no blood of his.read · scan
- p. 879Overreach shuns his wife's nephew as a leprosy.read · scan
Izaak Walton, The Life of Mr. George HerbertVol. 15
- p. 386–387Kindred contribute to the rebuilding.read · scan
Sir Thomas Browne, Religio MediciVol. 3
- p. 316–317He does not feel a necessary sympathy to all of his blood, rejecting the schools' order of love for parents and wives first.read · scan
- p. 317–318He would love a friend before nearest kin without breaking the fifth commandment.read · scan
Blaise Pascal, ThoughtsVol. 48
- p. 38Recommending a cause through near relatives is the sure way to lose it.read · scan
- p. 159We gain from a rich father or husband, not a stranger, as from the martyrs' kinship.read · scan
Blaise Pascal, LettersVol. 48
- p. 323–324Siblings united by nature and by grace; the bond of kinship is an obligation to write and rejoice.read · scan
John Bunyan, The Pilgrim's ProgressVol. 15
- p. 75–76Faithful disowns worldly relations and kindred since becoming a pilgrim.read · scan
- p. 189–190Concern for kin left behind in the town.read · scan
- p. 190–191The prayer asks that the kin left behind be brought to pray.read · scan
William Penn, Some Fruits of SolitudeVol. 1
- p. 334Prefer brother or kinsman as friend, or show little duty to parents.read · scan
Adam Smith, An Inquiry into the Nature and Causes of the Wealth of NationsVol. 10
- p. 140–141Married servants cannot gain settlement by service, and servants fear losing settlement at the birthplace of parents and relations.read · scan
Richard Brinsley Sheridan, The School for ScandalVol. 18
- p. 160–161Charles refuses to sell his uncle Oliver's portrait out of gratitude, revealing affection beneath his prodigality.read · scan
- p. 190–191Sir Oliver, uncle and benefactor, tests his nephews; pictures of ancestors sold by the prodigal Charles.read · scan
- p. 191–192Sir Oliver forgives his prodigal nephew Charles, who sold his ancestors' portraits; family reconciliation and Charles's attachment to Maria.read · scan
Alessandro Manzoni, I Promessi Sposi (The Betrothed)Vol. 21
- p. 60The kin of the slain gather armed and watch the convent.read · scan
- p. 285–286Bortolo welcomes his cousin Renzo warmly and pledges not to forsake him, showing kinship loyalty.read · scan
- p. 286Bortolo says he should serve relations and friends first.read · scan
- p. 547–549Renzo anxiously asks after Lucia and Agnese, learning Agnese has gone to relatives in Valsassina.read · scan
Jacob and Wilhelm Grimm, Household TalesVol. 17
- p. 185His hard-hearted brothers refuse to take in the parentless soldier.read · scan
Lord Byron, ManfredVol. 18
- p. 419The hunter's grandchildren's love as epitaph; Manfred's injuries fell on those who loved him.read · scan
Percy Bysshe Shelley, The CenciVol. 18
- p. 347Kin urge each other to confess or be silent; she grieves that her kindred are false to themselves.read · scan
Thomas Hood, PoemsVol. 41
- p. 905–908Asks who were her father, mother, sister, brother, or dearer one, implying her abandonment.read · scan
Ralph Waldo Emerson, Self-RelianceVol. 5
- p. 73Questions assuming the faults of friend, wife, father or child merely because they share the hearth or blood.read · scan
Henry Wadsworth Longfellow, PoemsVol. 42
- p. 1320–1321Band of exiles seeking their kith and kin, bound by common belief and misfortune.read · scan
Edgar Allan Poe, The Poetic PrincipleVol. 28
- p. 385–387Asks who were her father, mother, sister, brother; she was houseless with family feelings changed.read · scan
Alfred, Lord Tennyson, PoemsVol. 42
- p. 1043–1044The brother rages at Maud's disgrace and strikes the speaker, bringing woe on his house.read · scan
Edgar Allan Poe, PoemsVol. 42
- p. 1239–1241High-born kinsmen carry the maiden away to a sepulchre.read · scan
Ernest Renan, The Poetry of the Celtic RacesVol. 32
- p. 164Perceval seeks the Grail to cure his uncle the Fisherman-King, so the motive is familial and the religious idea subordinate.read · scan
William Morris, PoemsVol. 42
- p. 1187–1188She invokes Gauwaine's murdered mother to move his pity.read · scan
11d.Adoption, fosterage and substitute parents
See also: Charity 3b
Homer, The OdysseyVol. 22
- p. 230–231Nestor receives Telemachus as a father would a son.read · scan
- p. 237–238Telemachus ironically says Antinous cares for him like a father for a son, and defends his household and guest.read · scan
- p. 305–306Telemachus intercedes for Medon, who cared for him in childhood, and calls the nurse Eurycleia for his father.read · scan
Confucius, The Sayings of ConfuciusVol. 44
- p. 33–34Confucius laments failing to treat Hui as a son though Hui treated him as a father.read · scan
Aeschylus, The Libation-BearersVol. 8
- p. 106–107Kilissa, Orestes' nurse, grieves for the child she cherished from birth, recounting the labors of nursing him.read · scan
The Book of PsalmsVol. 44
- p. 172–173Even if father and mother forsake him, God will take him up.read · scan
Sophocles, Oedipus the KingVol. 8
- p. 237The messenger reveals Polybus was not Oedipus's true father, who was a foundling given as a gift to a childless king.read · scan
Euripides, HippolytusVol. 8
- p. 331–334The Nurse defends her act as devoted love for the child she nursed, seeking to heal her despair.read · scan
Hippocrates, The Oath of HippocratesVol. 38
- p. 3Teacher is reckoned equal to parents and his offspring as brothers; the art passes to sons.read · scan
Plato, CritoVol. 2
- p. 42–43True friends will care for his children whether he is alive or dead.read · scan
Buddhist WritingsVol. 45
- p. 771–772Migara calls his daughter-in-law mother, and she names her son Migara.read · scan
Marcus Tullius Cicero, On FriendshipVol. 9
- p. 33Legendary foster-raised princes keep affection for their shepherd parents; more so should true parents be loved.read · scan
Virgil, The AeneidVol. 13
- p. 178Ascanius leads the boys before their fathers; Aeneas gives a pledge of ancient amity to his second sire.read · scan
Paul, The First Epistle of Paul to the CorinthiansVol. 45
- p. 496Paul addresses the Corinthians as beloved children whom he begat in the gospel, and Timothy as his faithful child.read · scan
Plutarch, ThemistoclesVol. 12
- p. 33Themistocles's sons and daughters, their marriages, adoption and a nephew's marriage are recounted.read · scan
Pliny the Younger, Letters of PlinyVol. 9
- p. 211As Pliny's guardian he treated him with a parent's affection.read · scan
- p. 211Verginius said he would have entrusted a son with the matter; fatherly guardian.read · scan
- p. 258Pliny thanks his wife's aunt, who raised her in place of her parent, praising the wife's fondness for her husband and hopes for lasting harmony.read · scan
Chapters from the KoranVol. 45
- p. 882Orphanhood and shelter; the prophet was found poor with a family and nourished.read · scan
- p. 985Divorce formula does not make wives mothers; adopted sons are not real sons; kindred are nearer by the Book.read · scan
- p. 988–989Adoption, divorce and marriage to an adopted son's former wife are sanctioned; Mohammed is declared not the father of any man.read · scan
BeowulfVol. 49
- p. 28–30Hrothgar adopts Beowulf as a son and asks him to preserve the new kinship.read · scan
The Destruction of Dá Derga's HostelVol. 49
- p. 202–203Fosterage: Conaire is reared among three households and fostered with other boys, who share equal clothing and food.read · scan
- p. 213–214Conaire mourns that beloved foster-brothers, the sons of Donn Desa, are not the ones arriving.read · scan
- p. 217–218Fer rogain notes Conaire is foster father to all the reavers, yet they proceed.read · scan
- p. 233–234Members of the household are brothers and fosterlings, including a prince in hostageship with the king.read · scan
- p. 234–235Retainers are named as brothers, foster-brothers and sons of the same fathers.read · scan
- p. 240–241Da Derga's two fosterlings, sons of the king of Leinster, stand before him.read · scan
Stories from the Thousand and One NightsVol. 16
- p. 52–53The childless king adopts the young prince as his son.read · scan
- p. 139–140Zubeydeh treats her maid as her own child, entrusts her to the narrator in marriage, arranges contract, dowry and wedding festivities.read · scan
- p. 341The sorcerer feigns being the boy's uncle, weeping for his dead brother and claiming kinship and succession.read · scan
- p. 345A widowed mother's burden of a graceless son; the pretended uncle offers to stand in his father's place.read · scan
- p. 345–346The mother is convinced by his generosity that he is her brother-in-law and bids her son obey him.read · scan
- p. 346–347Moor claims it is his duty to fill the father's place; the mother asks that the orphan obey him.read · scan
- p. 348–350He poses as an uncle who stands in the place of a father to command obedience.read · scan
- p. 351The Moor feigns kinship, calling the boy his heir and successor and kissing him, to win obedience through paternal affection.read · scan
The Voyages to VinlandVol. 43
- p. 8–10Leif's anxious concern for his foster-father Tyrker, devoted to him since childhood.read · scan
Songs from the Elder EddaVol. 49
- p. 370–371Sigurd takes Gudrun as wife from the Giukings and swears oaths of brotherhood with them.read · scan
The Story of the Volsungs and NiblungsVol. 49
- p. 281–282Hjordis bears Sigurd, is taken as wife by King Alf, and the child is raised lovingly in Hjalprek's house.read · scan
- p. 311–312Sigmund comforts his wife that she will bear the most famed of sons; Sigurd is fostered by King Alf.read · scan
- p. 312–313Grimhild proposes adopting Sigurd as son and brother with sworn oaths, to bind him to the house.read · scan
- p. 314–315Sigurd is given Gudrun in marriage, swears brotherhood with Giukings, and a son Sigmund is born; Grimhild urges Gunnar to wed.read · scan
Benvenuto Cellini, The Autobiography of Benvenuto CelliniVol. 31
- p. 185Cellini feels fatherly affection for his apprentice Ascanio and clothes him as a son.read · scan
- p. 186–188Cellini takes Ascanio back for the sake of his father, who pleads for him.read · scan
- p. 258He is warmly welcomed by pupil Ascanio's father, brothers, sisters and stepmother.read · scan
- p. 335–336Ascanio professes a son's duty to a good father, though hypocritically, while Cellini treats him as a beloved ward.read · scan
- p. 349His brother-in-law's death leaves him father and guardian of his sister and six nieces, his first great trial in Florence.read · scan
Miguel de Cervantes, The History of Don Quixote of the Mancha, Part IVol. 14
- p. 422Captive is taken in by a friend's parents like a son and hopes to find his father and brothers.read · scan
Ben Jonson, The AlchemistVol. 47
- p. 651–652Dapper is gulled into acknowledging a pretend aunt and kinship with the Queen of Fairy.read · scan
Francis Beaumont and John Fletcher, Philaster, or Love Lies A-BleedingVol. 47
- p. 679Bellario's gentle parents died, leaving the orphan boy to the mercy of the fields.read · scan
- p. 682–684Bellario recalls his father who advanced the boys he kept to greater men; master-servant bond seen as paternal.read · scan
Philip Massinger, A New Way to Pay Old DebtsVol. 47
- p. 862Allworth honours his stepmother and cherishes his dead father; Wellborn cites his friendship with the father as reason to counsel the son.read · scan
- p. 867–868Lady Allworth takes her late husband's ward as a son in love, though not of her womb; he calls her the best mother.read · scan
John Bunyan, The Pilgrim's ProgressVol. 15
- p. 285–286Christiana commits her daughters' little ones to a compassionate keeper who nourishes and shelters pilgrim children and orphans.read · scan
Jean Racine, PhaedraVol. 26
- p. 196Theseus repents and adopts Aricia as daughter to honor his dead son.read · scan
Gotthold Ephraim Lessing, Minna von Barnhelm, or The Soldier's FortuneVol. 26
- p. 305–306Widow and orphan son; Tellheim vows to father the orphan and holds the money belongs to him.read · scan
- p. 372–374The Count welcomes Tellheim as son and niece's husband, esteeming him as an honourable man.read · scan
Johann Wolfgang von Goethe, Hermann and DorotheaVol. 19
- p. 391–392Lost children rejoin their mother; Dorothea calls herself sister to the newborn's mother and will serve Hermann's parents.read · scan
- p. 392–394Dorothea leaves the mother and children with tearful farewells, the children clinging to their 'second mother'; the justice says she will be sister and daughter to the household.read · scan
Richard Brinsley Sheridan, The School for ScandalVol. 18
- p. 116–118Sir Peter acts as guardian to two brothers of opposite character, and to his ward Maria.read · scan
- p. 127–128Guardianship of the orphaned nephews, and Sir Oliver's inheritance and plan to test their dispositions.read · scan
- p. 139–140Sir Oliver, Rowley and Sir Peter discuss marriage and the nephews' standing in the family.read · scan
William Wordsworth, PoemsVol. 41
- p. 653–655He wishes to be her elder brother or father, some claim of neighbourhood.read · scan
Charles Lamb, PoemsVol. 41
- p. 735–736Wishes his friend had been born his brother in his father's house; Hester's Quaker parents.read · scan
Alessandro Manzoni, I Promessi Sposi (The Betrothed)Vol. 21
- p. 90–91Renzo takes Agnese as his mother; the marriage plan depends on parental consent.read · scan
- p. 297–298Agnese laments Cristoforo was like a father to them.read · scan
- p. 427–428Agnese treats Renzo as a son, wants to gather her family together and travel with them anywhere; Lucia weeps over her mother.read · scan
- p. 581Women replace dead mothers, soothing, feeding and naming orphaned infants; a Capuchin carries babes from dying mothers.read · scan
- p. 592–593Childless are told to become parents to orphans.read · scan
- p. 603A merchant-woman lost husband and children to plague; she and Lucia form a bond like mother and daughter.read · scan
- p. 604–605The bereaved merchant-woman wants to keep Lucia like a daughter or sister.read · scan
- p. 609–610The widow takes Lucia as a daughter and Lucia finds a second mother; Lucia is to be returned to her own mother and betrothed.read · scan
- p. 617–618Renzo calls Agnese 'our mother' and wants them all to live together happily after their sufferings.read · scan
- p. 618–619They plan to keep house together near Bergamo, and Renzo will visit Agnese, whom he treats as his mother.read · scan
Jacob and Wilhelm Grimm, Household TalesVol. 17
- p. 50A poor woodcutter gives his child to the Virgin Mary, who becomes her mother.read · scan
- p. 66–67The enchantress takes the couple's child as the price of the rampion, raising her like a mother and later shutting her in a tower.read · scan
- p. 140–141Forester adopts a foundling and raises him with his daughter; the children's bond as siblings.read · scan
Percy Bysshe Shelley, The CenciVol. 18
- p. 295Beatrice and Bernardo pledge loyalty to Lucretia, who nursed them and replaced their dead mother with more than a mother's love.read · scan
Thomas Carlyle, Sir Walter ScottVol. 25
- p. 412–413Infant Scott is cared for by his grandfather and relatives at Sandy-Knowe, his mother sending a maid.read · scan
George Long, M. Aurelius AntoninusVol. 2
- p. 302–303His adoption and kin: grateful for good parents, grandfathers, sister.read · scan
- p. 303Married Faustina; lived in friendship with his adoptive father, a dutiful son.read · scan
Hans Christian Andersen, TalesVol. 17
- p. 222–223The mother duck accepts the odd egg as her own child once it swims well, and defends and guides it.read · scan
- p. 329–330Karen, poor and orphaned at her mother's burial, is adopted by an old lady.read · scan
John Stuart Mill, AutobiographyVol. 25
- p. 38–39The Bentham household gave an almost parental interest in his welfare.read · scan
- p. 162–163Mill's step-daughter, whose talents serve the same purposes, consoles him after his wife's loss.read · scan
Alfred, Lord Tennyson, PoemsVol. 42
- p. 983–985Narrator orphaned, ward of selfish uncle; dreams of rearing a savage race.read · scan
William Makepeace Thackeray, Jonathan SwiftVol. 28
- p. 8Swift's birth after his father's death, his mother's recommendation to Temple's household, and his marriage to Hester Johnson (Stella).read · scan
Robert Browning, A Blot in the 'ScutcheonVol. 18
- p. 373–378Mildred pleads she had no mother; Gerard recalls conducting her as a child; Tresham guards his sister's privacy.read · scan
Walt Whitman, PoemsVol. 42
- p. 1412–1413The speaker calls the dead captain 'dear father'.read · scan
Edward Augustus Freeman, Race and LanguageVol. 28
- p. 247Adoption makes a man one with a gens in everything but physical descent, and his children fully so.read · scan
- p. 247–248Adoption in the family is paralleled by naturalization and assimilation on larger scales.read · scan
- p. 249–252Kinship by adoption is a real kindred, binding Russians and Bulgarians by common sentiment of race.read · scan
11e.Ancestry, lineage and inherited traits
Homer, The OdysseyVol. 22
- p. 13She remarks Telemachus's likeness to Odysseus and inquires about his parentage.read · scan
- p. 14–15Telemachus doubts his paternity, mourns his father, and describes the suitors wasting his house and courting his mother.read · scan
- p. 28–29Athene says few children equal their father, most are worse; Telemachus shows Odysseus's blood and spirit.read · scan
- p. 49Helen and Menelaus recognize Telemachus by his likeness to Odysseus, feet, hands, eyes, head and hair.read · scan
- p. 91Genealogy of Alcinous and Arete; Arete is honoured by husband, children and people, and her kindness may settle feuds.read · scan
- p. 150–151The heroines declare lineage and offspring; gods beget glorious children upon mortal women.read · scan
- p. 205–206Genealogy of Melampus's house through sons and grandsons.read · scan
- p. 267Autolycus, Odysseus's maternal grandfather, is asked to name the newborn; Eurycleia sets the child on his knees.read · scan
- p. 267–268Odysseus is embraced by his maternal grandparents and welcomed home by his father and mother.read · scan
The Book of JobVol. 44
- p. 120–121Elihu, of the family of Ram, angered at Job and at the three friends.read · scan
Sophocles, Oedipus the KingVol. 8
- p. 228Oedipus recounts his parents Polybus and Merope and doubts about his birth after being called a changeling.read · scan
- p. 237Oedipus's parentage is in question; he accepts a low birth and calls himself child of Fortune.read · scan
Herodotus, An Account of EgyptVol. 33
- p. 42–44Chemmis people claim kinship with Perseus through descent from Danaos and Lynkeus.read · scan
- p. 71Priests show each chief-priest as son succeeding father, in contrast to Hecataios tracing descent from a god.read · scan
- p. 71–72Priests counter Hecataios's claim of divine descent with a line of human sons, each 'piromis son of piromis'.read · scan
Buddhist WritingsVol. 45
- p. 605–606He chooses his family and mother: a warrior house, King Suddhodana as father, and Maha-Maya, pure and perfected, as mother.read · scan
Virgil, The AeneidVol. 13
- p. 178Acestes greets kin of Trojan lineage; Aeneas is drawn to his father's tomb.read · scan
- p. 270Aeneas resembles his father; Evander's guest-friendship with Anchises passes to the son.read · scan
- p. 344Acron leaves his betrothed bride; Mimas's birth is traced to Paris.read · scan
Luke, The Gospel According to LukeVol. 44
- p. 362Genealogy traces Jesus' descent through generations of fathers and sons back to Adam, son of God.read · scan
Plutarch, ThemistoclesVol. 12
- p. 5Disputed parentage: his mother's foreign, low origin and his father's non-distinguished standing affect his status.read · scan
Plutarch, PericlesVol. 12
- p. 37–38Pericles's noble birth through father Xanthippus and mother Agariste, and his mother's dream of a lion.read · scan
Plutarch, AlcibiadesVol. 12
- p. 106–107His descent from Ajax and Alcmaeon, his father's death in battle, and Pericles as guardian.read · scan
Plutarch, DemosthenesVol. 12
- p. 192–193Demosthenes was orphaned young, wronged by guardians; his parentage and his mother's descent are disputed and slandered.read · scan
Plutarch, CiceroVol. 12
- p. 218Cicero's mother Helvia was well born, his father's ancestry disputed, and the family's surname derived from a vetch-like nose mark.read · scan
- p. 238–239Jests turn on parentage and mothers' reputation, as with Metellus Nepos and the poisoning suspect.read · scan
Plutarch, AntonyVol. 12
- p. 322Antony's ancestry, his liberal father checked by his wife, and his mother Julia's remarriage and role in his education.read · scan
Pliny the Younger, Letters of PlinyVol. 9
- p. 307–309The noble house may fall; descendants must rise to its virtue.read · scan
Saint Augustine, The Confessions of St. AugustineVol. 7
- p. 102–103Firminus's father and his friend observed the births of wife, servant and puppies.read · scan
BeowulfVol. 49
- p. 10–12Beowulf identifies himself through his father Ecgtheow's fame and honor.read · scan
The Voyages to VinlandVol. 43
- p. 5–6Kinship and lineage of Heriulf, his wife Thorgerd and son Biarni; father and son alternate winters together.read · scan
- p. 20Karlsefni's and Gudrid's descendants are traced through son Snorri and grandchildren to several bishops.read · scan
The Song of RolandVol. 49
- p. 172He remembers his kin and line and Charlemagne, his nursing father.read · scan
The Story of the Volsungs and NiblungsVol. 49
- p. 253–254Genealogical list of kin, spouses, sons and fathers in the Volsung and Niblung houses.read · scan
- p. 287–288Sigurd gets his father's sword shards from his mother and visits his maternal uncle.read · scan
- p. 293–294Fafnir asks Sigurd's kin and father; Sigurd first claims to have neither, then names Sigmund, showing kinship as identity.read · scan
- p. 309–310Introduces Giuki's household, his sons and daughter Gudrun, and their family fame.read · scan
Dante Alighieri, HellVol. 20
- p. 66Gualdrada's marriage to Count Guido and their sons are recounted.read · scan
Dante Alighieri, ParadiseVol. 20
- p. 316–317Notes ask how a covetous son can spring from a liberal father, and on differing dispositions of children and parents.read · scan
- p. 317–318Children differ from their parents: Esau from Jacob, Quirinus from his base father, since nature's seal ignores household lines.read · scan
- p. 318–319Generation and lineage: Quirinus's descent attributed to Mars, and children resembling generators.read · scan
- p. 347Cacciaguida greets Dante as his blood and thanks the Trinity for favor shown to his seedread · scan
- p. 347–350Cacciaguida reveals himself as Dante's ancestral root, greeting him with paternal affectionread · scan
- p. 352Dante addresses ancestor, asks about forefathers and birthread · scan
Sir Thomas Malory, The Holy GrailVol. 35
- p. 112The queen sees Galahad's likeness to Launcelot and traces both lineages to Christ.read · scan
- p. 114Guenever asks Galahad his parentage, says he resembles Launcelot his father, and that lineage obliges him to goodness.read · scan
- p. 150–151Launcelot's lineage traced through kings; Galahad is his son, and each shall bear his own burden, not the father's or son's.read · scan
- p. 194–195She addresses her brother Percivale and cites honor to her lineage.read · scan
William Caxton, Prefaces and EpiloguesVol. 39
- p. 15Heirs of London families fail to thrive; lineages scarcely last three generations, unlike other cities' enduring houses.read · scan
Benvenuto Cellini, The Autobiography of Benvenuto CelliniVol. 31
- p. 5–6Gives his parentage and lineage, both parents Florentine citizens.read · scan
- p. 7Traces the Cellini lineage and branches across Italy and his own place as founder of his house's honor.read · scan
- p. 7Recounts ancestors, a feud among families, Cristofano's marriage, the sons' inheritance, and the father Giovanni's line.read · scan
- p. 102–103Brother's burial and tomb, and Cellini's discussion of the Cellini family arms and lineage.read · scan
William Harrison, A Description of Elizabethan EnglandVol. 35
- p. 217Rank passes by birth; the king's younger sons are gentlemen until raised by their father.read · scan
William Shakespeare, The Tragedy of King LearVol. 46
- p. 215–216Gloucester speaks of his illegitimate son Edmund and legitimate elder son; legitimacy, acknowledgement and upbringing.read · scan
Thomas Hobbes, Of Man, Being the First Part of LeviathanVol. 34
- p. 366Descent from conspicuous parents is honourable because they secure the aid of ancestors' friends.read · scan
Izaak Walton, The Life of Dr. John DonneVol. 15
- p. 323–324Donne's birth of virtuous parents and descent from ancient Welsh family and Sir Thomas More's line.read · scan
Pedro Calderón de la Barca, Life Is a DreamVol. 26
- p. 18Rosaura says the sword came from her father, a pledge left by a Pole.read · scan
- p. 21Their kinship is traced through the sisters of King Alfonso and Basilio's dead queen.read · scan
Sir Thomas Browne, Religio MediciVol. 3
- p. 310He borrowed his merciful, humane disposition from his parents.read · scan
Blaise Pascal, ThoughtsVol. 48
- p. 207Long-lived parents conversed long with children, passing on ancestral history and genealogies.read · scan
- p. 255The Messiah is foretold as descended from the family of Judah and David, born in Bethlehem.read · scan
Blaise Pascal, Minor WorksVol. 48
- p. 378One's birth depends on the marriages of all one's ancestors, themselves products of chance meetings.read · scan
John Bunyan, The Pilgrim's ProgressVol. 15
- p. 102–103He boasts of his kindred, wife and Lady Feigning's family.read · scan
- p. 169–170Christian's wife and children are related to the first Pilgrim and have left their home.read · scan
- p. 264Gaius praises Christian's lineage and hopes his sons follow their father's steps; the boys covet his footprints.read · scan
- p. 272–274Feeble-mind and Mr Fearing are uncle and nephew, sharing temper, complexion and features.read · scan
John Dryden, Preface to Fables, Ancient and ModernVol. 39
- p. 153Poetic lineage is described as descent, with poets as sons and clans like families.read · scan
John Dryden, PoemsVol. 40
- p. 384–385Her poetic gift derives from her father, transfused into her blood.read · scan
Jean Racine, PhaedraVol. 26
- p. 135Hippolytus's heritage from Amazon mother and father Theseus, whose infidelities he despises; Aricia's brothers' line barred from offspring by his father's decree.read · scan
- p. 142She laments the wretched line of her mother Pasiphae and sister Ariadne.read · scan
- p. 181–182Her lineage, father and ancestors heighten her shame; husband's wrath against Aricia's kin.read · scan
Benjamin Franklin, His AutobiographyVol. 1
- p. 5Franklin writes his life for his son and posterity, curious about ancestors and kin, hoping descendants may imitate his means.read · scan
- p. 6Franklin traces his ancestry at Ecton through registers and notes: births, marriages, burials, inheritance and the eldest son's trade.read · scan
- p. 7Sketches of uncles Thomas, John and Benjamin, their trades and characters, and a resemblance between Thomas's life and his own.read · scan
- p. 8–9Josiah's seventeen children by two wives; Franklin's maternal lineage from Peter Folger.read · scan
Gotthold Ephraim Lessing, The Education of the Human RaceVol. 32
- p. 195–196Punishing fathers' misdeeds on descendants taught fathers to live in thought with posterity.read · scan
Johann Wolfgang von Goethe, EgmontVol. 19
- p. 327–328Ferdinand laments being made in his father's hard likeness, contrasting the tender heart inherited from his mother.read · scan
Richard Brinsley Sheridan, The School for ScandalVol. 18
- p. 157–158Charles auctions the family portraits and pedigree with jokes, treating ancestors as saleable goods; Sir Oliver calls it parricide.read · scan
- p. 158–160Charles sells great-uncles, aunts and a judge ancestor by portrait at low prices, showing irreverence for lineage.read · scan
- p. 161–162Charles jokes about parting with near relations, valuing ancestors more than he thought.read · scan
Alessandro Manzoni, I Promessi Sposi (The Betrothed)Vol. 21
- p. 103Ancestral portraits of warrior, magistrate, matron and abbot, all objects of terror, surround him.read · scan
- p. 139Her power derives from her father, the first man of the country, and the family's rank.read · scan
- p. 406The uncle Count's expectations of the family's standing push Rodrigo toward the dilemma.read · scan
Jacob and Wilhelm Grimm, Household TalesVol. 17
- p. 191Parents celebrate victory with their children, who insist on vindication of family reputation.read · scan
Thomas Carlyle, Inaugural Address at EdinburghVol. 25
- p. 371Genealogy matters: clever men do not come of stupid people; family stamp shows through generations.read · scan
Ralph Waldo Emerson, MannersVol. 5
- p. 203Fathers sow and sons reap; fashion is made up of the children of the great.read · scan
Ralph Waldo Emerson, BeautyVol. 5
- p. 305–306We would be beautiful if our ancestors had kept the laws; inherited defects mar faces.read · scan
Ralph Waldo Emerson, English TraitsVol. 5
- p. 337–338Inheritance of mental and moral traits from ancestor to son; pedigree, nursing and training examined.read · scan
- p. 404–405Long descent of families cleaving to the same ground for hundreds of years captivates the imagination.read · scan
Charles Augustin Sainte-Beuve, MontaigneVol. 32
- p. 107His enthusiastic father and inherited temperament shaped Montaigne's character.read · scan
Hans Christian Andersen, TalesVol. 17
- p. 229–230Origin matters not if one has lain in a swan's egg; birth, not the duck-yard, determines nature.read · scan
Charles Darwin, The Origin of SpeciesVol. 11
- p. 28–29Traits pass from parents to children, appearing in several members of a family, with reversion to grandparents.read · scan
- p. 160–161Inheritance of blood and characters across generations, e.g. one in 2,048 ancestral blood after twelve generations.read · scan
- p. 279Selection applied to the family rather than the individual; fertile parents transmit tendency to produce sterile workers.read · scan
Alfred, Lord Tennyson, PoemsVol. 42
- p. 1030–1031He argues Maud takes her sweetness from her mother's blood, while inherited sin falls upon the brother, the scapegoat of the race.read · scan
Robert Browning, A Blot in the 'ScutcheonVol. 18
- p. 378–380Memories of his father and the household's retainers heighten his horror at a sister's possible disgrace.read · scan
- p. 382Tresham invokes the dead mother's tomb and family shame as he confronts his sister.read · scan
- p. 386He mourns his sister, his heart's pride, whose disgrace disgraces a line of a thousand Treshams.read · scan
- p. 388–392Tresham despairs that a line like his should produce a prodigy of disgrace, like a poison-tree.read · scan
Richard Henry Dana, Jr., Two Years Before the MastVol. 23
- p. 252Marsh's good breeding and family background are inferred from his bearing.read · scan
Edward Augustus Freeman, Race and LanguageVol. 28
- p. 236–238Parents hand on skulls but a man may choose the language he teaches his children.read · scan
Ernest Renan, The Poetry of the Celtic RacesVol. 32
- p. 139Ireland's native can produce the titles of his descent and trace his race.read · scan
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