For me, last night was a rare occasion. I was able to sit down and watch a movie without my children jumping up every five minutes wanting water or to go to the bathroom or even have me check their rooms once again for monsters. So I got to watch this absolutely fabulous movie, Elizabeth I, starring Helen Mirren and Jeremy Irons. The costumes were fabulous, the story fantastic and the acting superb. After I finished watching, I realized how often authors draw parallels between Queen Elizabeth I and their own heroines.
Obviously, your first thought is: “What is she talking about?” While I realize Helen Mirren’s portrayal of Good Queen Bess is based on an author’s interpretation of her life, Mirren brings so much to her role it is easy to identify many things current fantasy/science fiction authors bring to life in their lead female characters. These women are strong, independent and often seen as cold, emotionless and unapproachable when the truth they’re not as bad as they seem. The circumstances of their lives (as dictated by plot) usually put them in a position of power or authority and quite often they must prove everyday to everyone, including other women, that they are quite capable of making decisions, even the hard ones. Of course, only the reader really sees how much these women have to give up to remain in power/authority. They’re giving up their chance at happiness, constantly deal with threats and their own fears, are criticized for not being a true woman, and in the end must live with their regrets. These are the type of heroines I love. They’re human and relatable, and the fact they usually kick ass is just icing on the proverbial cake!
Of course, I don’t think about things like that when I’m writing, I just write. But as I mentioned earlier, the life of Queen Elizabeth I really started me thinking. And while I know what watched in the movie Elizabeth I was only partly based on historical fact, it doesn’t change the fact Elizabeth lived a difficult life. Always in the public eye, never a moment to herself, always on her guard, never able to truly reveal her fears and doubts to anyone…at any time, she could have said “I’ve had enough! Leave me alone” but she didn’t. In time when women where considered unequal to men in everything, she ruled England and remained whole unto herself. An unforgettable woman!
