How we cite our quotes: All quotations are from Gladiator.
Quote #1
MARCUS AURELIUS: If only you had been born a man, what a Caesar you would have made.
The Aurelius family is a mess. Just about everybody is a better "son" than Commodus. These words are addressed to Lucilla, who proves herself a more adept politician than her evil brother.
Quote #2
MARCUS AURELIUS: You are the son that I should have had…now embrace me as my son.
Maximus and Lucilla are better children to Marcus Aurelius than Commodus, and he loves them more.
Quote #3
COMMODUS: Even then it was as if you didn't want me for your son.
We get the idea that part of the reason Commodus is so screwed up and so obsessed with being the center of attention is because he has felt unloved by his father. Marcus Aurelius hasn't given Commodus the necessary amount of paternal love.