The+Dangerous+Female

When one thinks of this archtype, the femme fatale of most modern movies and stories comes to thought. A stronger emergence of a dangerous, female character is coming to life with the changing of social views. Women such as Cleopatra and Mata Hari are historic people who embody, to some sense, this femme fatale. As stated in a website article, "A classic femme fatale hides her true nature with seductive attitudes, ensnaring her prey so thoroughly that by the time he realizes what has happened, it is too late." Dangerous female characters are not always the villains that use seduction to cuckold poor misguided male characters as they have been in the past. Witches and sorceresses are now turning into heros of their own. Many modern day shows have this newly turned aspect. This is also due to the changing social views. Cleopatra from Egyptian legend as well as Durga from Indian mythology both fit the dangerous women archetype, conquering both thrones and demons.

Legendary Versions of Archetype

__Cleopatra __  [|Cleopatra] was the last pharaoh of Egypt. According to the Greek historians Plutarch and Cassius Dio, she was well versed and unconventionally beautiful It was their accounts that later spurred on the cultural depictions of Cleopatra as an intelligent woman who used her charms to influence men to bend to her will.

At the age of 18, after her father died, Cleopatra was expected to rule the kingdom with her brother Ptolemy. However, she did not wish to share her power and she dropped her brother/husband’s face from the currency. She attempted to raise a rebellion but failed and was exiled.

After relations between Caesar and Ptolemy broke down, Cleopatra decided to take advantage and was escorted secretly into the palace, rolled up in a carpet. She became his mistress and convinced Caesar to back her claim to the throne instead of annexing Egypt. She bore Caesar a son which he refused to name his heir.

After Caesar was usurped from his rule, Cleopatra charmed Mark Antony and married him. Unfortunately, that relationship disintegrated and Antony committed suicide after losing to Octavian’s army.

Finally, after Octavian managed to take over Egypt, Cleopatra killed herself by making a cobra bite her rather than being taken prisoner. Cleopatra was a tough lady who used her brain and her lady parts to get what she wanted. The modern day depictions of her show her as a talented seductress who had powerful men under her thumb. She was undoubtedly a dangerous female and a femme fatal.

__Durga __   A demon called Mahishasura was gifted with the inability to be killed by a god or man. He decided to use it to his advantage and reeked terror throughout the world. The gods, [|Shiva], [|Vishnu], and [|Brahma] were at a loss of what they could do to stop the demon. Then, they came up with the idea to create a female goddess who could defeat him. Each god gave Durga a weapon and asked her to destroy the evil from the earth. Durga defeated Mahishasura army single handedly and beheaded him with his own sword. Every year, [|Vijayadashami] is celebrated to mark this triumph of good over evil.  Durga is always depicted as a strong female goddess who has ten hands and rides a tiger into battle in all ancient scriptures. Now, she is most commonly worshipped as the invincible war goddess. Durga is a dangerous female whose anger is meant to ward off all evil  from the hearts of children and wrongdoers.

Modern Day Version of Archetype

__<span style="font-family: 'Palatino Linotype','Book Antiqua',Palatino,serif; font-size: 130%;">River Song __

<span style="font-family: 'Palatino Linotype','Book Antiqua',Palatino,serif;">If River Song from "[|Doctor Who]" looks too innocent, with her sweet "Hello sweetie!", to be a femme fatale, you do not know the true River Song. When River Song takes her name, she meets the Doctor for the first time and proceeds to kiss him in an attempt to poison him. What do you think about her innocence now? What about the fact she is in jail for murdering someone and blowing up a spaceship? River Song, in all her glory, is the epitome of the femme fatale.

<span style="font-family: 'Palatino Linotype','Book Antiqua',Palatino,serif;"> __<span style="font-family: 'Palatino Linotype','Book Antiqua',Palatino,serif; font-size: 130%;">Elizabeth Swann __

<span style="font-family: 'Palatino Linotype','Book Antiqua',Palatino,serif;">Keira Knightley goes from playing the damsel in distress to being the dangerous female in the movie series, "Pirates of the Caribbean". During the first movie, "Curse of the Black Pearl", Elizabeth Swann is kidnapped by pirates and tries to survive while battling her social and gender restrictions. During the second movie, "Dead Man's Chest", Elizabeth Swann takes advantage of Jack Sparrow's affection and ties him to the ship, leading to his downfall. By using Jack's love against him, Elizabeth makes the full transformation from damsel in distress to the dangerous female.