"Your love belongs to me" Race and romantic fantasies

Other point; I think the existence of Orientalist themes in stage and movie productions implies that a lot of people want to buy into the fantasy- the idea of Arabs/the Middle East being like that, and I think it shows how pervasive these ideas are, from Victorian era onwards. Zoradie from TROA and Azuri from TDS are the "Muslim woman as powerful semi-despotic ruler" and "Muslim woman as hypersexualised entertainer" (Azuri, in particular is also the "oversexed mixed-race woman who doesn't really fit in anywhere". The few Riffs in the operetta don't really like her. See "Azuri's Dance.")

I think it's always been like that. Or at least mostly always.

Even Shakespeare seemed to run a kind of proto-deconstruction of it more than once (Othello, Anthony & Cleopatra).

@Bat Pencil: I suppose Othello is a Deconstruction because of the whole "tragic interracial marriage in a hostile environment" plotline. Am I right?

Also, I think the popularity of the sheikh romance is due to the combination of the "Every girl wants to be a princess" idea with the "Every girl wants a foreign boyfriend" idea. Not only is the sheikh foreign, but he's also royalty and titled. So the idea is that the girl can have the best of both worlds- a boyfriend who's both exotic and royal. Does anyone else share this idea?

Don't forget that All Girls Want Bad Boys, and that a Sheikh, being not only foreign but also proud and forceful about it, is the ultimate bad boys.

Wouldn't that be an Unbuilt Trope?

@The Handle: to add in the royal factor (the sheikh hero is often domineering because of his royal status. Personally, I've never been into the princess fantasy. Can't see much of the appeal (although I understand the appeal of wealth.) probably.

Oh, come on, I'm a guy, and Khal Drogo made me wet by promising horrible pain and suffering to anyone who would ever threaten meDany. Power is hot, especially when it's devoted to protecting and avenging you. Also, it's thrilling and exciting, because any time it could turn against you. Finally, it's relaxing and interesting to let someone else take the reins of your life, like letting someone else drive your car. Heck, I used to be a sucker for strong, muscular guys with tons of character and a gentle side. Then I got an arrow in the kneeeverything changed when the Fire Nation attackedI became one.

edited 1st Aug '12 6:01:46 AM by TheHandle

Yeah, I get what you're saying now... sometimes I feel like that. I guess everyone does and that's also the reason for the slave fantasy. Especially when it involves harems.

edited 2nd Aug '12 2:03:43 AM by MorwenEdhelwen