First, Edgar returned to his father side after betrayal and pain without identifying himself to protect his father’s feelings and his pride. This is a good act for family by how it demonstrates Gloucester’s influence as a parent, and how it has turned his son into the respectful and genuine man he is. In Act 5, scene 3, Edgar says, “I asked his blessing, and from first to last told him my pilgrimage. But his flawed heart (alack, too weak the conflict to support!) ‘twixt two extremes of passion, joy and grief, burst smilingly.” (5.3.195-198). This demonstrates constructive influence from a father to his son, because the son acknowledges all his father has done for him and impacted his own life. For there to be good people, there has to be good parents.
Also, for things to be constructive there has to be some sort of destruction beforehand. Goneril and Regan despise their father for simply being old and incapable of much; just because they despise their father does not mean he did not impact their lives. Lear’s daughters would not have the motivation to do evil without the hatred of their father. Seen in Act 1, Goneril says to Regan, “He always loved our sister most, and with what poor judgement he hath now cast her off appears too grossly.” (1.1.312-315). This states the hatred Lear’s daughters have for him. This is necessary in a parent-child relationship because family is the strongest