25 TV tropes you’ll definitely recognize but are super tired of seeing
By Sundi Rose
The over-sexed Jezebel
According to the Hebrew Bible, Jezebel was scorned for inciting betrayal against her husband. She came to be associated with prostitutes because she was rumored to wear makeup and dress in brightly colored clothes and finery. Her reputation went on to become associated with fallen women, and today we associate this historical princess’ name with promiscuity. It doesn’t really seem fair, but we are dealing in stereotypes here, folks.
Sometimes called “the siren” or “the seductress,” this character is completely oversexed and vampy. She usually is … ahem … buxom and beautiful, and knows the power of her feminine wiles -whatever that means. She uses her sexuality to manipulate men and intimidate women.
Her sheer comfort with her sexuality makes her a bad girl, and she is often positioned against a “moral” man in order to topple him with her eyelash batting and hair flipping. This stereotype has many incarnations – including the vamp, the succubus, and sometimes the femme fatale – none of which are very flattering or forgiving.
Of course this trope is wildly sexist and diminutive, but I think it might be my favorite of all the offensive stereotypes lobbed at women. Some of my very favorite characters have been firmly in this trope, and they are usually all pretty badass. Mae West, Black Widow, and Faith the Slayer are all repping this character, and you can’t do better than these ladies.
Examples: The Vampire Diaries, Melrose Place, Angel, and Beverly Hills, 90210