Shakespeare uses many familiar themes in most of his works. Most of the family dilemmas he presents are directly related to power disputes, whether it be sibling rivalry, parental rivalry, or some kind of Oedipal coupling. One of his compelling ideas concerns the question of legitimacy and illegitimacy when it comes to children and their parents. This dilemma continues to present itself in modern media, presenting a clear thematic imprint that depicts a power dispute between the behaviors of the legitimate and illegitimate children, which leads to the fate of the parent and the overall resolution of the work. Specifically, dealing with Shakespeare's play King Lear and the latest series of Marvel films surrounding the hero Thor, there is a direct correlation between the themes of these works and the presence of both a legitimate and an illegitimate child. Shakespeare's character Gloucester has two sons. , Edmund and Edgar. Edmund is the illegitimate son, the result of Gloucester's relationship with his mother. Gloucester does not let this idea rest, as even when he introduces his bastard son to Kent at the beginning of the play it is mentioned. “Though this rascal came into the world brazenly before he was sent for, yet his mother was fair, there was much fun in her doing, and the son of a bitch must be acknowledged” (II21-24). Gloucester openly denotes Edmund and places him in his place as illegitimate and unfit to take his crown. Edgar, however, is the most beloved son and is next in line to receive his father's land and power. This battle between legitimacy and illegitimacy is difficult because, aside from the fact that Gloucester is married to Edgar's mother, the two boys are considered moderately equal. Edmund argues… halfway through the paper… a biological child is interrupted by the presence of an illegitimate child, or one who is not biologically related. Works Cited Beauregard, David N. “Human Malevolence and Providence in King Lear.” Renaissance 60.3 (2008): 199-226. Online literature. Network. December 1, 2013.Lee, Chris. "Branagh meets the comic book hero." Newsweek 157.19 (2011): 59-60. EBSCO. Network. December 1, 2013. Sahkespeare, William and G. Blakemore. Evans. Shakespeare's Riverside: The Complete Works. 2nd ed. Boston: Houghton Mifflin, 1997. Print.Thor: The Dark World. Dir. James Gunn, Alan Taylor. Perf. Chris Hemsworth, Tom Hiddleston. Marvel Studios, 2013. Film.Thor. Director Kenneth Branagh, Joss Whedon. Perf. Chris Hemsworth, Tom Hiddleston. Marvel Studios, 2011. Film.Tiffany, Grace. "Montaigne, Cruel Fathers and King Lear." Shakespeare Newsletter 62.2 (2012): 44. Academic OneFile. Network. December 2. 2013.