Beta male Vs Alpha male: The Romance Stakes.

I blame the romance industry (publishing) for their unbidden constancy of inflicting Alpha males upon readers of romance. What’s wrong with a Beta male?  To be honest, I always fancied Dandini rather than Prince Charming. The latter too vain in every way: Dandini the charmer of the two. Hee hee, and a man on his knees placing glass slipper on feet far more to my liking!

As we know, in the animal kingdom Alpha’s rule by appearance, strength and overall dominance, their reign subject to no sign of weakness! But, often that is not the case within the species Homo sapiens. Ha, you say, no because we have brains that enable us to think for ourselves, plus we’re not driven by instinct alone. The latter, unfortunately, is not strictly true, because if a stunningly good-looking bloke is walking amidst a crowd of average guys he stands out, does he not? And, it’s a likely bet you noticed him!  So, let’s not deny instinct plays a huge part in our lives. Thing is though, that gorgeous hunk could well be a Beta male and his eyes no less predatory than an Alpha male: if a little more subtle in execution of sighting object of interest.

Think of light romance and actors who’ve played stunning Beta Male roles, time and time again, within movies. Cary Grant, as we all know was a good-looking guy who had natural presence, unassuming chocolate voice, and although a hero in his own right and his getting the girl in the end, he avoided confrontation and usually talked himself out of sticky situations.  Hugh Grant has also portrayed similar qualities of bungling along, getting into pickles and talking (lying) his way out of awkward and embarrassing moments. So what is it about the Beta male character that can win over the girl?  

Instinct is more noticeable among the Alpha’s (not always stunningly gorgeous guys): notice their sense of presence, predatory eyes, and desire to be noticed. They often have loud/powerful voices that carry to willing ears, they make eye contact with willing subjects, and they play new object of desire much the same as a fiddler bows his strings. The Alpha male usually acquires powerful status business/career wise and thereby leads while expecting devotees to follow, and mostly they do.

On the other hand there are Alpha Homo sapiens who become bullies in every aspect of their lives (gang culture), in the main because they lack the necessary to be anything other than a macho bully, the same goes for some Alpha females. Inevitably, their lifestyles are more akin to the animal kingdom, though much less interesting because animals have no concept of right from wrong. 

  

So, whom do you prefer, a Beta or Alpha male hero for romantic reading?