While we’re on the topic of different types of heroes – last week I wondered which were sexier, guys in suits or guys in tool-belts (my vote was with the tool-belt guys) – this week I’m thinking Beta versus Alpha heroes. This occurred to me after watching the movie ‘Music and Lyrics’ and the actor Hugh Grant’s portrayal of the main character, Alex Fletcher. Hugh Grant plays his usual foppish, self-depreciating beta-male character. I couldn’t help compare him to another British actor, Colin Firth, (who has played both Alpha and Beta characters) and well, sorry, but Colin plays a better Beta—and I just can’t see Hugh as an Alpha.
In case you’re not familiar with the terms Alpha and Beta to describe two very different types of romantic heroes, here are my definitions. A Beta hero is generally a nice guy. He’ll make the heroine laugh, he often owns a cute dog which he rescued from the pound, and he wouldn’t dream of ordering the heroine around, understanding that women know their own mind and are often quite capable of saving themselves, thanks very much. Some Beta’s are edgier than others, but on the whole he’s caring, can vocalize his feelings, and he’s a cool guy to just hang out with, or bring home for a family dinner.
Alpha’s, on the other hand, you wouldn’t want near your family get-together without some strict ground rules, and Alpha’s don’t tend to like rules overmuch. An Alpha hero is many things, but in another generalization, nice isn’t a word often attributed to him. He likes to do things his own way, and when he sees something he wants (like the heroine) he goes after it with focused intent. Alpha males often get a bad rap—especially the ones penned a few decades ago in some romance novels—they were basically verbally challenged bullies who showed few redeeming qualities and left the reader wondering why the hell the virginal heroine didn’t just hide in the closet and never come out. Bullies to the last few pages, that is. And then suddenly they proclaimed they loved the whimpering little heroine all along. Ick.
So which do I prefer? Both – but not the old style Alpha, that’s for sure. I like reading books whose heroes are Betas, and I also like books who have strong Alpha heroes, and sometimes I’ve even discovered a unique hero who is a combination of the two. A hero who’ll protect the heroine, and kick the ass of anyone who tries to harm her. A hero who has a hard outer shell, and a tender heart hidden inside. But a hero who can laugh at himself when he does or says something dumb, who enlists the heroine’s cooperation and help to get out of a sticky situation, and has the balls to say, “I stuffed up. So let’s try it your way.”
So what’s your pick? Alpha or Beta?
Tracey
What I’m reading this week: Cover Me – Catherine Mann. The first in her Elite Force series, this has been a gripping read so far, and the hero is defintely an Alpha male (but in a good way)!
What I’m watching this week: Music and Lyrics. Drew Barrymore is gorgeous as a quirky but endearing plant-caregiver who kills her charges. It has some funny moments and was nice to curl up and have a nostalgic giggle about 80’s music.
This week’s favorite quote: It is not the critic that counts; not the man who points out how the strong man stumbles or the doer of deeds could have them better. The credit belongs to the man who is actually in the Arena, whose face is marred by dust and sweat and blood; who strives valiantly; who errs and comes short again and again, because there is no effort without error and shortcoming; but he who does actually strive to do the deed; who knows the great devotion; who spends himself in a worthy cause, who at the best, knows in the end the triumph of high achievement, and who at the worst, if he fails while daring greatly, knows that his place shall never be with those cold and timid souls, who know neither victory nor defeat. — Teddy Roosevelt.
Hot guy of the week: Sorry, it’s not Hugh Grant. Instead I’ve picked the other Brit – Colin Firth. He's ever so dreamy... :-)
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