Alpha Amours: The Roles of the Alpha Male Hero and Alpha Female Heroine in Romance PART 1
Hardly the stuff of romance yet, but as we apply the alpha type concepts to men and women, and to romance characters in particular, a familiar picture begins to take shape.
The alpha male is physically powerful, his goal dominance through acquisition and subsequent protection. Research has shown that, regardless of cultural background, a male who exhibits the traits of strong jaw, broad chin and imposing brow will be found attractive by females. His height and weight are visual clues to his genetic background, and to the positive environmental factors of his infancy and youth ([he] towered over her). Upper body strength as evidenced by wide shoulders, deep chest and well-toned musculature, proclaim him capable of success in gain through aggressive force, self-defense or the protection of what is "his" (broad shoulders . . . great hand). Trim hips and long legs show the lower body strength that allows him to travel swift and long on foot, pointers to endurance. Most of these alpha male traits are indicative of healthy levels of the male hormone, testosterone. Among his other features, the alpha male is a born breeder. Beyond all these, always desirable are any other cues for healthy "animal" traits ([his] teeth gleamed, almost feral).
The alpha male ignites an instinctive attraction for most females, who see in him the potential for a valuable mate. What better role model for the romance hero? There have been attempts by romance writers (or more often, misguided publishers or editors) at making the beta male a hero. However, though appealing in his own way, the beta male is always second: a safe, civilized shadow of the alpha, a follower versus a leader - he's the man you'll take home, but not the stuff of dreams.
Back to our alpha man: he holds a prominent social position within his "pack" or society, due to a combination of his physical prowess and his competence and coping skills (The earl . . . the cultured sound of his voice). His immense physical capacity for destruction is overlaid by an equal or stronger force for constructiveness (boldly . . . [yet] gently). When in society, force is used only out of need or circumstance. His intellect is considerable, another example of good breeding (in a physical sense), and it is a well-honed tool. He does not use his mind for flights of fancy; his words are considered, weighed, delivered with
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