Sex, Power, and Politics

Sex, Power, and Politics is a deconstruction of the historic femme fatale that serves to highlight the women who occupied perceived subordinate roles and how they were systematically calculating and strategic in the utilization of their femininity and sexuality to engage in politics, influence powerful men, and ultimately shape history. Sex, Power, and Politics is a deconstruction of the historic femme fatale and serves to highlight the women who occupied perceived subordinate roles and how they were systematically calculating and strategic in the utilization of their femininity and sexuality to engage in politics, influence powerful men, and ultimately shape history. Howard and Kopalyan typifies and elaborates upon the ontological dominance of the femme fatale and her ruthless acquisition of political power. Intended to be a largely exhaustive historiography of courtesans, mistresses, and concubines who challenged the traditional gender-power dynamic during the time periods in which they lived, the book evaluates the roles and status of women in a variety of social and political contexts. It does so by drawing upon diverse historical settings to illustrate the historical precedence of notably powerful and ambitious women who instead of being hindered by their sexuality, perceived subordinate roles, and rigid patriarchal mores, effectively utilized it as a modality for acquiring and asserting political power in a world with limited options and resources for women of ambition.