I agree with you on these points; I certainly see that she's sympathetic. But I think you overstretch a little - Daenerys, for example, has also had a difficult life; so has Tyrion, for many of the same reasons as Cersei. The difference we see between these characters is that Daenerys and Tyrion rise to meet and overcome their challenges, becoming better people - and not to mention more competent leaders - in the process. Cersei believes that people's lack of respect is because she is a woman, and some of it probably is, but Daenerys already leads a vast and devoted army and the people of Westeros love Margaery; the real reason Cersei has no-one's respect is because she is an incompetent and vindictive ruler. So as I say, I see that she is a sympathetic character, and I definitely find her interesting; I don't dislike her, really, so much as I find her seeming popularity confusing (I suppose it will be for different reasons than the ones we're talking about). It is a stretch, though, to blame just Tywin and the circumstances of her birth for her personality and behaviour. Indeed, if we do, don't we then also have to blame Cersei for all of Joffrey's excesses?
