THROWDOWN SHOWDOWN: Alpha Hero VS Beta Hero

No need to wait, let's get this party started ...

* DING * DING *

Today will be all about the Alpha male. (yummy)

And let's face it ... this is a complicated match up, so today we will be only characterizing the Alpha male. On Wednesday we will do the same for the Beta. And on Friday, they will have their official show-down with each of them facing off in an identical scene to see how differently they would act. Then, my friends, we can decide who wins this war to woo women.

Let's get the cliches out of the way. The Alpha is:

-Strong

-Confident (possibly cocky)

-Leader

-Aggressive (sometimes annoyingly so)

-Comfortable with himself

-Territorial (especially with his woman)

-Persistent

-Good looking (almost making the heroine feel small in comparison)

-Controlling (come on, you know he is)

-Often possessive (again with his woman)

-He wears his emotions on his sleeve. If he's pissed, you know it. If he's happy, you know it. If he's sad ... wait, the Alpha NEVER is sad. Sadness is a weakness and the Alpha is never, ever weak.

Did I get all of them?

Now, here's the thing most people forget about Alpha men: they change depending on the type of character they are. Sure, ALL alphas have same core characteristics (cliches, above). BUT, their personalities are what set them apart from the pack. (No pun intended)

Think of the hit T.V. Vampire Diaries. Stefan and Damon are BOTH alpha males. But they are both  very different kind of alphas. And personally, Damon is much more my type of Alpha. He's the bad type. Stefan is the sensitive type (I would argue that he's borderline beta ... until this new season, that is). Anyway.

There's Eric, from True Blood, and Alcide *swoon*
Matt Dillon--The Outsiders
Vin Diesel--Fast and Furious
Val Kilmer--Tombstone (and I guess Kurt Russell, too)
Hugh Jackman--Wolverine (X-Men)
Ryan Reynolds--Van Wilder *swoon* (although he shows some beta characteristics, too)
And my personal favorites (from books, of course) Jean Claude and Richard from Anita Blake's Vampire Hunter Series (again ... two very different types of Alphas)
. 

Here are two videos that show two very different of two very different alphas.

This is just a side-note here, but I would not fully label Maverick as an Alpha. LOTS of people would (my vote goes to Iceman). Maverick has a lot of qualities that make him Alpha. He's cocky. Confident. Knows he's the best at what he does. He pulls a great stunt to get the girl. I get that. And yet ... when the woman he wants is stronger than him, higher than him, he doesn't try to outdo her. He doesn't try show he's Alpha. Sooo .... there's a difference in my opinion of a true Alpha and a man who longs to be an Alpha but hides behind his bravado. That's a topic for another day, though. At any rate, this is video is excellent example of certain types of Alpha behavior (make sure you pay close attention to Iceman, too). Oh, and pay attention to Goose (the beta!). 

AND ... THE SECOND VIDEO IS NOT WORKING! *pulls out hair*
ARGH!
*takes deep breaths*
Whose idea was it to disable embedding youtube videos? Stupid youtube.
Anyway ...
The second video was the opening scene for Roger Dodger. You need to see it. So, clicky here. 
I'll wait.
Back?
Excellent!

Do you see the difference between the two Alphas? HUGE differences, right? So, no matter the characteristics listed in the above list, the character is what the author will make them. Their personality and their own experiences will mold and shape them. Are they a likable Alpha or a total dick?

I think the term "alpha" and their rise in popularity has A LOT to do with paranormal books/movies/etc. Vampires, Warlocks, Wolves, Bears, whatev, are alpha by nature. They are the leaders of their packs/groups/covens/what-have-you. And as the strong alpha male gripped the attention of women everywhere, it spread into the everyday romance. That's MOO (my own opinion, though). Because lets face it, before then, Alphas were not what women swooned over. They were the type women ran from. Again, MOO. ;-) And yes, I KNOW there were Alphas before wolves and vampires ... but I think the wolves and vampires made them more common (and likable).

So, you want a strong man? You want a man who is controlling? You want a man who can toss you around (in a good way *winks*)? You want a man to fight for you--literally? Then you want the Alpha.

The Alpha is strong and independent. The Alpha needs control over situations (and people, normally), but he would die for his woman. He is protective of her. Wants her to only see him. And he makes sure everyone knows it. Some people say the Alpha should never be cruel. I disagree with that. Alphas do have their own sense of cruelty (even when it comes to their lady), BUT they always make up for it by showing the heroine they do what they do out of love. They ask for forgiveness for their behavior (in their own special way). And *sigh*, we always do forgive them.

How does the alpha male make you feel? What do you think about the personality core characteristics? What are some good traits of an alpha hero in your mind? Annoying ones? Any examples from books/movies/tv shows you can think of?

Come back on Tuesday to see the Beta come running out of his corner to protect his name. And to show that he's got what it takes to make women swoon, too. And lets not forget Friday when they go head-to-head!

~JD