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Femme Fatale

A femme fatale (French for "fatal woman") is a stock character and archetype of a mysterious, alluring, and seductive woman whose charms ensnare her lovers, often leading them into dangerous or deadly situations. She is a recurring figure in literature, art, film, and popular culture, embodying both fascination and fear regarding female sexuality and power.

Characteristics

Seductive and Alluring: Uses beauty, charm, and sexual allure to manipulate others.
Mysterious and Enigmatic: Often shrouded in secrecy, with ambiguous motives.
Dangerous: Her relationships frequently result in the downfall, ruin, or death of her lovers.
Agency and Power: Exercises control over her own fate and those around her, often subverting traditional gender roles.
Moral Ambiguity: May be villainous, amoral, or simply acting out of self-preservation.

Historical and Mythological Origins

The femme fatale archetype appears in myths and legends across cultures:

Inanna, Lilith, Circe, Medea, Clytemnestra: Ancient figures associated with seduction, danger, and power.
Cleopatra: Historical queen often depicted as a political and sexual manipulator.
Salome, Morgan le Fay, Eve: Biblical and medieval examples of women whose sexuality is portrayed as threatening.

Evolution in Literature and Art

Romantic and Gothic Literature: "La Belle Dame sans Merci" (Keats), "Lamia," and gothic novels like "The Monk" feature femme fatale figures.
19th Century Art: Artists like Edvard Munch, Gustav Klimt, and Franz von Stuck depicted femmes fatales as symbols of beauty and danger.

20th Century and Film Noir

Silent Film Era: Theda Bara as "The Vamp" in "A Fool There Was" (1915).
Classic Film Noir: Phyllis Dietrichson ("Double Indemnity"), Brigid O'Shaughnessy ("The Maltese Falcon"), Gilda (Rita Hayworth), and others.
Modern Media: The archetype persists in films ("Body Heat," "Basic Instinct"), television ("Twin Peaks"), comics (Catwoman), and video games (Ada Wong in "Resident Evil").

Modern Interpretations in Media

The femme fatale archetype is explored in modern science fiction, such as the character Ava in the film Ex Machina. Ava embodies the seductive and enigmatic qualities of a femme fatale while subverting traditional gender roles through her artificial intelligence and quest for autonomy.

Psychology and Archetypes

Jungian Archetypes: The femme fatale is related to the "shadow" and "anima" archetypes, representing repressed desires and the power of the unconscious.
Agency and Subversion: Modern interpretations emphasize her agency, complexity, and the subversion of patriarchal norms.

Criticism and Intersectionality

Stereotypes: The femme fatale has been criticized for reinforcing negative stereotypes about female sexuality and power.
Intersectionality: The archetype intersects with issues of race, class, and sexuality, sometimes reinforcing or challenging social prejudices.

Notable Examples

Myth and History: Inanna, Lilith, Circe, Medea, Cleopatra, Salome, Morgan le Fay, Eve, Messalina, Lucrezia Borgia, Mata Hari.
Literature and Film: Phyllis Dietrichson, Brigid O'Shaughnessy, Gilda, Carmen, Lulu, Catwoman, Ada Wong.