cordelia-connects

[cordelia-connects]

dear betrothed and burdened, 

It seems to me as though you hate strong women who take up space in the world and have their own ideas of how they want to live. If you want a woman to perform chores for you, I believe you should be looking for a maid instead. 

I would encourage you to be honest with her, and avoid falling into a relationship where you are unhappy with her desire to assert herself. Further, I believe that you should make it clear to her that the prize in your eyes is the dowry rather than the actual woman. “Since that respect and fortunes are [your] love”, I would hope that she would not wish to be your wife. Besides, I don’t think your opinion on her would matter much to her. A strong woman does not need a misogynistic man like you to control her or tame her; she is not a wild animal. In fact, your personality is so ugly, I would not be surprised if you look like a rat who starts a plague or some sort. 

worst regards, 

cordelia. 

dear cordelia, 

Today, I’m going to see this girl and her family, and there’s a chance I may marry her. To be completely honest, I just think that she’s beautiful, especially with the dowry. I have heard that she is bold and intelligent, but that is not what I want. A woman has to know her place, you know? What is the point of a woman looking beautiful if she cannot cook me a meal or clean our house or do emotional labour for me?

I had a dream last night that her father essentially disowned her, meaning that she will no longer have a dowry attached to her. Whatever shall I do? I wish not to hurt her feelings, but there is no point for me to marry a woman who does not give me a gift. Should I keep my mouth shut and marry her regardless, or should I be honest with everyone and risk hurting her feelings?

sincerely, 

betrothed and burdened. 

[cordelia-connects]

dear cordelia, 

Today, I'm going to see this girl and her family, and there's a chance I may marry her. To be completely honest, I just think that she's beautiful, especially with the dowry. I have heard that she is bold and intelligent, but that is not what I want. A woman has to know her place, you know? What is the point of a woman looking beautiful if she cannot cook me a meal or clean our house or do emotional labour for me?

I had a dream last night that her father essentially disowned her, meaning that she will no longer have a dowry attached to her. Whatever shall I do? I wish not to hurt her feelings, but there is no point for me to marry a woman who does not give me a gift. Should I keep my mouth shut and marry her regardless, or should I be honest with everyone and risk hurting her feelings?

sincerely, 

betrothed and burdened. 

[cordelia-connects]

dear cordelia, 

My half-brother forged a letter that goes a little something like this: 

“This policy and reverence of age makes

the world bitter to the best of our times; keeps our 

fortunes from us till our oldness cannot relish them. I

begin to find an idle and fond bondage in the oppres-

sion of aged tyranny, who sways, not as it hath

power, but as it is suffered. Come to me, that of this

I may speak more. If our father would sleep till I waked

him, you should enjoy half his revenue for ever, and live 

the beloved of your brother”

You can imagine the chaos that ensued shortly after. He had tricked me into thinking that I should flee from home and hide, with nothing but the clothes on my back and a dagger in its sheath. I was forced to become a Bedlum Beggar, facing all sorts of discrimination based on the stigma surrounding mental health. (I would certainly hope that this is no longer an issue in four or five hundred years...)

  Then, he betrayed our father by revealing his loyalty to that old man Lear, just so that vile jelly could have our father’s earldom. Of course, my poor father, who had always been nothing but generous and loving to both his children, legitimate or otherwise, had his eyes gouged out. Since he was blind, I was able to guide him and keep him safe, despite his miserable state and wishes to end his life. 

  I am now aware that he wishes to see me again, but I am not sure how he will feel, knowing that I had to watch him suffer greatly. Whatever shall I do? The one person I have looked up to and trusted my whole life has appeared in front of me after the most difficult time of my life, only to be going through his own struggles. Should I confront him and reveal my identity, or allow him to remain blissfully ignorant? I wish not to put more stresses on him in what appears to be his final days, but I feel as though he deserves to know 

  Ugh, this is the worst moonshine ever!

  Please advise, 

enerved eclipse. 

[cordelia-connects]

there may be times when we are powerless to prevent injustice, but there must never be a time when we fail to protest

elie wiesel