The power of women throughout history has been marginalized by the denial of essential rights, like the right to vote. Nevertheless, there have been several examples of women who have been powerful through other means. These women changed their societies in many ways, or at least put in danger the duties of powerful men. Their success was rooted in their confidence, beauty and of course, their intelligence. Let me introduce you to the great femme fatales of history.
Cleopatra, the last pharaoh of Ancient Egypt, had at her feet two of the most important leaders of the Roman Empire, Julius Caesar and Mark Anthony. Her secret? According to many historians, Cleopatra’s beauty was a key element, but this beauty would not have taken far if it wasn’t for her intelligence. Cleopatra was presumably fluent in many languages, and possessed great leadership skills, which made her able to create alliances with the Roman Empire.
Cleopatra is still such an iconic woman that she could only be interpreted by someone with a femme fatale profile like Elizabeth Taylor. Taylor was married eight times to seven husbands. Her husbands include hotel heir Conrad “Nicky” Hilton, English actor Michael Wilding, theater and film producer Michael Todd, singer Eddie Fisher, actor Richard Burton (whom Taylor married twice), Republican politician John William Warner and construction worker Larry Fortensky. Taylor seemed to fit the femme fatale role pretty well considering her turbulent romantic life and her infatuation for jewels.
Lucrezia Borgia was the illegitimate daughter of Cardinal Rodrigo Borgia, after Pope Alexander VI, and his mistress Vanozza dei Cattanei. Lucrezia was taught languages, music, embroidery, painting, and it is believed to have been famed for her beauty and charm. Her father started arranging marriages for her when she was only eleven years old. Lucrezia enjoyed a long relationship with her brother-in-law, Francesco II Gonzaga, Marquess of Mantua. It has been rumored that her life was filled with allegations of incest, poisoning, and murder on her part; the most significant rumor is that Lucrezia was in possession of a hollow ring that she used frequently to poison drinks. Lucrezia is believed to be the most well-known member of the Borgia family. She was “the notorious femme fatale who formed a ghastly poisoners’ triumvirate with her father Pope Alexander VI and brother Cesare, and whose reputation as a poisoner has achieved a sort of mythic immortality.” “She has also won acclaim as an influential arts lover who helped lift Italy and Europe from the Dark Ages and into the Renaissance.”
Marilyn Monroe, the great American diva, has been at the center of controversies due to her rumored relationships with President John F. Kennedy and his brother, Robert Kennedy. However, her relationships extend to other well-known figures that fell for her beauty, like Arthur Miller, Marlon Brando, Tony Curtis and Joe DiMaggio. Monroe acquired the status of femme fatale after her role in Niagara.
The femme fatale role, which alluded to feminist expression, became really popular during the filmmaking historic time known as Film Noir, which took place between the 1940s and the 1950s. Monroe’s status as a femme fatale has also been attributed to her sex appeal, which even today makes her a great diva.
Mata Hari, whose real name is Margaretha Geertruida Zelle, was a Dutch exotic dancer accused of spying activity during World War I. She is considered the most notorious woman spy in history. Zelle baptized herself with a new name after a personal crisis: Mata Hari, which in Malay is the term for the sun, but literally speaking, it means “eye of dawn.” “It was under this name that a bold, exotic dancer debuted in the Musée Guimet on March 13, 1905.” “Mata Hari was also a successful courtesan, though she was known more for her sensuality and eroticism rather than for striking classical beauty. She had relationships with high-ranking military officers, politicians, and others in influential positions in many countries, including Frederick William Victor Augustus Ernest, the German crown prince,who paid for her luxurious lifestyle.”
She served as a spy for Germany and was code-named H-21. But the French intelligence intercepted some information where her identity was revealed; she was captured and executed by a firing squad in France.
One of the few actresses, if not the only one, that seems to fit the femme fatale role well nowadays is Eva Green. Although fictional, her character in Casino Royale, demonstrates Green’s powerful talent. Her career has faced many controversies; the biggest one came after her participation in the movie The Dreamers, which was her film debut. Green had to perform extensive nude and sex scenes for the movie. In one of her latest films, Green portrays a lesbian, sexually abusive teacher.
So much power yet so much heartbreak. Here’s a tribute to history’s femme fatales.
Sources:
Cleopatra (photo): http://psclausen.wordpress.com/2011/03/30/liz-taylor-and-cleopatra/
Monroe (photo): http://ouchmagazine.com/category/famous-style-designer-styleworld-styletypes-of-styles/old-hollywood-icons/marlyn-monore/
Mata Hari (photo): http://www.doctormacro.com/Movie%20Summaries/M/Mata%20Hari.htm
Eva Green (photo): http://www.goddessmag.com/eva-green-people-love-her-133