The Queen is an intriguing archetype. Many women who identify with the Queen associate her with control. The true qualities of the Queen, however, are related to an elegant use of power and authority; and her court can range from a corporation to her home.
The image of the Dark or Evil Queen has been largely represented by male authors of fairy tales and folklore. She may also be depicted as prone to hysteria and dark powers, influences, or plots; as in the story of Snow White. Gulliver's travels presents a benevolent Queen who rules that land of the Giants, but that is a rare exception.
The Queen archetype is also associated with arrogance and a defensive posture that is symbolic of a need to protect one's personal and emotional power. The shadow Queen can slip into aggressive and destructive patterns of behavior, particularly when she perceives that her authority or capacity to maintain control over the court is being challenged. The Ice Queen rules with a cold indifference to the genuine needs of others--whether material or emotional.
Queens are rarely portrayed as having a trustworthy support system; instead, they are lonely figures surrounded by a court filled with potential traitors, rivals and back-stabbers. Women who have identified themselves as Queens tend to have these qualities in common, suggesting that were it not for their aggressive personality characteristics, they would be vulnerable to others' control. Challenges related to control, personal authority and leadership play a primary role in forming the lessons of personal development that are inherent to this archetype. The benevolent Queen uses her authority to protect those in her court, and sees her own empowerment enhanced by her relationships and experience.
The Queen Bee is a mixed image--the astonishing ability to power the entire hive without leaving her "chamber," yet at the cost of enslaving the rest of her community.
Film Reference: Judi Densh in Shakespeare in Love
The image of the Dark or Evil Queen has been largely represented by male authors of fairy tales and folklore. She may also be depicted as prone to hysteria and dark powers, influences, or plots; as in the story of Snow White. Gulliver's travels presents a benevolent Queen who rules that land of the Giants, but that is a rare exception.
The Queen archetype is also associated with arrogance and a defensive posture that is symbolic of a need to protect one's personal and emotional power. The shadow Queen can slip into aggressive and destructive patterns of behavior, particularly when she perceives that her authority or capacity to maintain control over the court is being challenged. The Ice Queen rules with a cold indifference to the genuine needs of others--whether material or emotional.
Queens are rarely portrayed as having a trustworthy support system; instead, they are lonely figures surrounded by a court filled with potential traitors, rivals and back-stabbers. Women who have identified themselves as Queens tend to have these qualities in common, suggesting that were it not for their aggressive personality characteristics, they would be vulnerable to others' control. Challenges related to control, personal authority and leadership play a primary role in forming the lessons of personal development that are inherent to this archetype. The benevolent Queen uses her authority to protect those in her court, and sees her own empowerment enhanced by her relationships and experience.
The Queen Bee is a mixed image--the astonishing ability to power the entire hive without leaving her "chamber," yet at the cost of enslaving the rest of her community.
Film Reference: Judi Densh in Shakespeare in Love