Seduction through the ages

Over the last few years especially in light of the recession, there has been a widespread phenomenon where it is known that women use their “seductive” power to gain access to high profile jobs and positions.  This highly unethical and unprofessional practice has caused many to wonder what the point of higher qualifications, merit and credibility is. Moreover, it has made one question the reputation of companies where it is rumoured that this practice is acceptable and on-going. Recently I participated in a conversation where the topic on the table entailed discussing creative strategies to get jobs, and while a female friend dismissed the idea that she would "reduce her standards by resorting to such practices", a male friend found it be completely acceptable by stating that “it is the way of life these days”. Is it truly, dare I say it, the way of life only in recent times?

While it may be considered a recent revelation that women now use these ever seductive games to rise to the top, hasn’t it always been somewhat evident and blatant? Let’s take a look back at Cleopatra the Queen of Egypt, and the last of the Ptolemaic dynasty. When her brother’s advisors / guardians exiled and expelled her from her city where she had jointly reigned with him, she so cleverly used her manipulative personality, intelligence and power over men to restore her power – she captivated Julius Caesar and he married her. Cleopatra was a seductive and malicious temptress who entranced men to further her power-hungry ambition and satisfy her stubborn appetites, and this was the first of two marriages she used to cement her title as queen. Her second marriage to Mark Antony was simply to gain military power after Caesar died.

Another example is Mary Boleyn’s sister, Anne Boleyn who quickly rose to power to become the Queen of England from 1533 to 1536 as the second wife of Henry VIII of England. Anne had joined the royal court as one of Queen Catherine's Maids-of-Honour but soon lured Henry VIII. She refused to become his mistress and was shrewd enough to wait and not give in to his sexual advances until it was most advantageous for her. Because she manipulated him to annul his marriage to his queen, it soon became the one absorbing object of his desires to do as she pleased so he would be free to marry her. She became his obsession. When it became clear that Pope Clement VII would not annul the marriage, the breaking of the power of the Catholic Church in England commenced. Imagine that, a woman so powerful, seductive and intelligent that she was solely responsible for the break between the Catholic Church of England and Rome. Anne has often been called "the most influential and important queen consort England has ever had", since she provided the occasion for Henry VIII to divorce Catherine of Aragon, declaring his independence from Rome.

Food for thought perhaps!! I am not saying the one should accept these circumstances, especially women who want to be recognized for their merit, hard work and reputation, rather than by other means; I am simply acknowledging that it has been happening throughout the age of time. Perhaps this is a classic case of history constantly repeating itself, but in order to change this behaviour women mustn’t turn a blind eye, instead they should collectively avert these circumstances. While in theory that approach sounds viable, the reality is that humans are of their own mind, and as long as there are women (and men) who actively partake in unethical practices, it will continue to be an issue through the ages.