#but the main lead will often face empty jealousy and get upset with the Emperor for showing interest or affection towards the other women | Explore Tumblr posts and blogs

catcatb0y · 4 days ago

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I would like to see historical stories that actually recognize and utilize things like political marriages and romantic affairs using the historical morals they set up rather than viewing them through the modern moral lense of "cheating is bad."

More often than not, what happens is that the female lead will be tied to either an Emperor or a King who has naught an empty court or castle- the narrative or the setting will establish plainly that this is a normal occurrence and socially acceptable! The female lead is either someone who shuns his ~promiscuous practice~ (of preferring a romantic partner over someone he is politically tied to...) or she's in love with him, and his tending to his duties or having a lover is seen as the cause for heartbreak and jealousy.

In series that explore the female lead getting over her affections (of being disgruntled with the loveless marriage), she is often- if not always- shown near immediately coveting the attention of another man. (Usually he covets her attention, but she encourages it and reciprocates as she falls in love with him. Cute story- still also cheating)- THIS is seen as freeing, groundbreaking, and one would dare say the higher moral choice... even though the dude she got married off to is doing the literal same thing.

Her finding love despite a stiffling political bethroal is shown as positive, perfect! Whereas her husband finding love despite a stiffling political bethroal is scandalous and lascivious! (They also almost always frame the mistress as being to blame for the husband's cheating real shocker)-

The cultural stance on affairs is never really relevant despite being established and the morality of it is almost always thrown away to add in the concept of drama and jealousy.

I'm not saying that jealousy should be omitted or ignoring a good "I know I shouldn't be upset, but I am-" path, it's just. Not done? At least not that I've really seen. It never seems to really explore the emotions of. Well, anyone involved.

The powerful man is either seen as greedy or stupid, the mistresses/concubines he has are seen as greedy and conniving, and the female lead is jealous and resentful, but actually her pettiness is very girlboss slay of her.

#in most of the court dramas I have read (which granted is only a few) the other consorts will actively talk about their roled #but the main lead will often face empty jealousy and get upset with the Emperor for showing interest or affection towards the other women #despite often also establishing her understanding of the court dynamics #the sole exception I've seen so far is The Apothocary Diaries? but also the romance between MaoMao and Jinshi is the main focus #and neither of them are big enough to hit that political sway since the current Emperor is alive and well #he and his consorts aren't really the main focus and Jinshi's political background is only relevant to his sway in the court #The Remarried Empress comes pretty close with Navier's 'I know it was political but I was raised from childhood to love him'#but it ultimately falls victim to literally everything else- with Rashta being a horrendous homewrecker despite being a nineteen year old #and a former slave. she's often shown to be blamed or take credit for what are ultimately Shitshow's actions. and Navier openly flirting #with Heinrey before breaking off her marriage is seen as good glittering gold whereas Shitshow doesn't deserve to be happy because he chose #Rashta over Navier. SHE spirals into madness largely because of HIS actions and yet it is seen as just. Somehow.

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