Marriage and children: What is the culture behind it?

[amst27.livejournal.com]

Hello everyone,

I am extremely curious concerning the subject of marriage and children, what is the culture behind it? For example, does the emperor have to have a lot of wives and numerous children to continue the royal line? Does the emperor have a lot of wives for political gain? I get the impression that the emperor is playing his children either against each other or maybe something else to prove their worthiness to be the next successor to the throne, and whomever proves worthy may have to remove their father by exiling him or killing him to challenge him for the throne. I think that this is terrible, but it appears to be that type of environment they live in. The emperor is a crappy father! However, to be fair he was probably raised without love and affection from his own father and/or mother, so he does not know any better. We do not know the history of the current emperor's childhood. And, does the emperor marry off his children for political gain? It would be nice if the series could explain the social culture and customs of the Britianina empire, but I do not think that this will happen. It seems to me that you have to piece together their social customs from certain episodes and do your best to interpret it. I do hope that I have not confused anyone with my questions. I would appreciate any help that you can give me.

Thanks!

Comments

[cal-reflector.livejournal.com]

It all sounds possible, but at the same time, with the exception of the Emperor, polygamy sees no mention throughout the series. The series has bent too many rules and incorporated too large a jumble of real world cultural and historical references for us to pin it down to any one frame (Victorian England) basis.

I would presume inter-house rivalry to exist however. The siblings obviously don't always get along, while some get along as if they were a real family.

I'm sure some diligent fic writers and forumers (Animesuki) might answer some of your more detailed questions regarding history and cultural background for the series, since the producers have shown to be rather lazy when it comes to doing their research.

[xtine06.livejournal.com]

so lulu's sibling are his paternal or maternal siblings? (w/ exception to nunnally of course)..i thought they are half-brothers and sisters... ;)

[cal-reflector.livejournal.com]

All share the same father. Unless there was some hancky-pank going on, which I doubt. Not that sort of show, as in, not a historical court drama soap-opera.

[xtine06.livejournal.com]

so they are half-siblings?the emperor has lots of women, i guess..a perfect example of polygamy..

i am getting crazy understanding the emperor and his whereabouts x_x

[sakura-no-miko.livejournal.com]

The emperor has 108 wives, if I remember correctly. Some of the siblings are full siblings (i.e. Lelouche and Nannaly, or (I think) Euphie and Cornelia), but all the others are half-siblings (same father, different mothers) and possibly step-siblings. I think Lelouche's mother was from another country, so probably some of his wives are from conquered lands. And if Nannally is...77th or 87th in line, that means there's at least that many children.

[xtine06.livejournal.com]

yes..the family of lelouch is very big..i bet he have not yet met all of his brother and sisters..if i were him, i wold be having a hard time remembering their names since they are sooo many,..