For as long as storytelling has been around the idea of a femme fatale has captured the hearts of men and women alike. I am personally inspired by the many femme fatales of fiction. I mean what's not to like about a sexy heroine/villainess in the battle of good vs evil?
Some of my favorite examples of femme fatales come from the Batman universe, Catwoman, Poison Ivy, and Harley Quinn. One dynamic that I like about Batman is the fact that he is immune to the charms of these woman for the most part. It's always enjoyable to see the pout on these girls faces as their plans are foiled by Batman.
The villainess qualities of the femme fatale are often overlooked by those entranced by their charms. It's amazing the power that feminine charms have over men it's a natural dynamic that shouldn't be censored, and is interesting to me because of it's personal nature.
The femme fatale does not necessarily have to be a villain, for example Marvel's Black Widow. Whatever side the femme fatale fights for she must have depth to her character or she will fall flat. Take for example the three Batman characters I mentioned, each has their own endearing personality traits which sets them apart from each other. These character's prove themselves to be more than just eye candy, it is their gumption that makes them sexy for all time.
For a woman to be enticing, there must be more than just the looks. It is her charms that draw you in. For her to gain your interest, she must be interesting.
ReplyDeleteIndeed, she must be more than just a prop. Gumption and prowess are what makes femme fatale interesting.
DeleteThe literally translates from french to "Fatal Woman." You know, half the problem is that they are so beautiful. We fall for them so easily, and they use us like a demon. It's a fetish! It does really happen to, but hilariously, we fantasize having to deal with them from both ends.
ReplyDeleteThere is an interest in both being controlled by them and in fighting them. The duality there likely means that the fatal woman is flat-out one of the most beloved concepts in fiction.
Absolutely, the duality is thrilling it makes for some great friction either way the character is portrayed.
DeleteInterestingly, I was listening to the Woman in Black theme while reading your blog... and the music was already playing before I knew what your blog was about! Yes, the femme fatale is a classical archetype! It will NEVER go away. As a protagonist, she controls the attention of villains and their male underlings. As an antagonist, she tests the male hero's resolve to be good. We love the femme fatale either way.
ReplyDeleteWoman in Black is an excellent example of a femme fatale! The finesse and dominance of the character you created proves endearing.
DeleteExcellent image, by the way. I had to read the initials and deduce it is yours. Sexy!
ReplyDeleteThanks!
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