Exoticism and Orientalism: The Western Fascination with the Harem

"The curse of the harem" refers to the negative consequences and impact that the institution of the harem had on the women who were confined within its walls. Historically prevalent in the Middle East and North Africa, harems were usually associated with wealthy and powerful men, such as sultans, who had multiple wives and concubines. The main **idea** behind the curse of the harem is the oppression and marginalization of women. Women within a harem were often seen as possessions or objects of desire, rather than individuals with rights and autonomy. They were secluded from the outside world, cut off from their families and friends, and their sole purpose was to fulfill the sexual and domestic needs of the man who owned them. **One consequence** of the harem was the extreme loneliness and isolation experienced by the women.

The Empress Dowager did see Yee Lan as a person of bad fortune, but, that’s not the reason she instructed Yee Lan to be buried alive. She did so because Yun Yun’s father told her that in order to locate the whereabouts of her son (or located his corpse), she has to sacrifice the person most dear to him i.e. his wife.

The man may be called an emperor, he may wear yellow robes, he may have the Qing hairstyle, he may even sit at the throne and says Jam or whatever, and all that explanation of the amount of research done to the word Lou Choi uttered by the empress to the emperor which I still refused to believe, no other aspect of this series and anything in its remotely resembles that of a palace, more so a Qing dynasty palace in the middle of a very strenous time. And the thing is, both females of the story want to forget the past and continue being the present Emperor s wives whereas the men can never forget about his true love.

**One consequence** of the harem was the extreme loneliness and isolation experienced by the women. Without social interactions or support systems, they often lived in constant fear and insecurity. Their lives revolved around pleasing the man who owned them, and competition among the women was common, leading to jealousy, manipulation, and even violence.

Curse of the Royal Harem (2011)

Set in the mid-1800s Qing Dynasty, Curse of the Royal Harem is loosely based on the reign of the Daoguang Emperor of China and tells of the drama and romantic intrigue in the court's Manchurian royal harem. (Source: Wikipedia) ~~Two versions available: 29 episodes (Hong Kong) | 31 episodes (Overseas) Edit Translation

• English
• magyar / magyar nyelv
• dansk
• Norsk

• Native Title:萬凰之王
• Also Known As:The Queen of All , Maan Wong Chi Wong , Wan Huang Zhi Wang , The King Among the Phoenix
• Genres:Historical
• Tags:Emperor Male Lead, Historical Fiction, Concubine, Qing Dynasty, Harem(Vote or add tags)

• Country: Hong Kong
• Type: Drama
• Episodes: 29
• Aired: Oct 31, 2011 - Dec 4, 2011
• Aired On: Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday
• Original Network:TVB Jade
• Duration: 45 min.
• Score: 7.2 (scored by 184 users)
• Ranked: #55137
• Popularity: #11793
• Content Rating: Not Yet Rated
• Watchers: 441
• Favorites: 0

Where to Watch Curse of the Royal Harem

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Reviews

It is from 2011, before pretty boys and kissing scenes that are so popular today. Actors are more mature and very excellent. It is about harem intrigues, with a very interesting conclusion. It makes you think about relations among people and how experiences change them. And how some people can get away with doing terrible things, but others are judged very strictly. Life is not fair. Good and weak people can make you suffer just like bad people or even more. On the end you almost like (some) villains and dislike ‘good ones’. In my opinion this series is much underrated.

SPOILER ALERT: The most I disliked the Emperor. He is weak and unjust. He is willing to forgive despicable things to horrible people, time and time again. She, ‘his love’ was not so lucky They were constantly threatening her life, murdered a woman whom she considered her mother, murdered her father, endangering her son, but ah, Emperor is either a filial son or so very lusty, she must accept his forgiving them, again and again. For her, there are different standards. Still, it is difficult to watch her on the end. She has changed so much, because he was not able to protect her and then resented her for doing his job the way it should’ve been done. I feel sorry for his brother (manipulated by his own mother) and on the end, also for the first Empress (also manipulated by her own mother AND father). END OF SPOILERS.

I like: actors (all of them), message, the fact, that the story really makes you think, and realistic ending.
I dislike: nothing particular, maybe story is repetitive a little to much

Some minor corrections.

**Another consequence** of the harem was the lack of agency and control over their own lives. Women were forced into marriages or relationships they did not choose, and they had little say in matters of their own reproduction or children. They were often denied education and opportunities for personal development, further perpetuating their dependence on the man who owned them. **A third consequence** of the harem was the perpetuation of gender inequality and the devaluation of women's worth. By treating women as objects, the harem reinforced the idea that women were inferior to men and had no value outside of their physical appearance or ability to satisfy men's desires. This mindset not only affected the women within the harem but also had broader societal implications, contributing to the marginalization of women in other aspects of life. Overall, the curse of the harem highlights the devastating impact that the institution had on women's lives. It is essential to recognize and understand the historical context and effects of the harem in order to challenge and dismantle the patriarchal systems that continue to oppress and marginalize women today..

Reviews for "Religion and the Harem: Examining Islamic Perspectives"

1. Samantha - 2 stars - "The Curse of the Harem was a disappointing read for me. While I initially found the concept intriguing, the execution fell flat. The characters lacked depth and development, and the story felt rushed. Additionally, some plot points seemed forced and lacking in credibility. Overall, I was left unsatisfied by this novel and would not recommend it to others."

2. Michael - 1 star - "I regret picking up The Curse of the Harem. The plot was predictable, and the writing style did not captivate me at all. The characters felt one-dimensional, and I struggled to establish any emotional connection with them. The pacing was also inconsistent, with some scenes dragging on while others were brushed over too quickly. In the end, I felt like I had wasted my time with this book and would not recommend it to anyone seeking a compelling read."

3. Emily - 2 stars - "The Curse of the Harem failed to meet my expectations. The narrative lacked originality and creativity, relying on tired tropes and clichés. The dialogue between characters felt unnatural, and their motivations were poorly explained. Furthermore, the pacing was uneven, making it difficult to fully immerse myself in the story. I was left feeling underwhelmed and unengaged by the end, and would not recommend this book to others."

Female Solidarity in the Harem: Sultanas and Their Incognito Support Systems