A Time Honored Tradition

In history, it seems, that most if not all great men have had mistresses. Ann Boleyn was a mistress to Henry VIII, Camilla Parker Bowles was a mistress to Prince Charles, Madam de Maintainon was a mistress to Louis XIV of France and of course the infamous mistresses of the US presidents, Monica Lewinsky, and the band of JFK’s alleged affairs, Marilyn Monroe, of course, being the most famous. These are just a few that I chose to mention. There are countless websites dedicated to ranking famous mistresses as well as instruction manuals on how to become a famous mistress. Although I find them to be distasteful they are at the same time amusing.
In the United States, we of course, have no aristocracy. The closest thing we have to royalty are our celebrities, some political families, and sports stars. Tiger Woods has (as everyone knows unless you live under a rock) been under fire the past few weeks for his alleged affairs. I’m not in anyway applauding or trying to justify his indiscretions. What I’m trying to convey is that men of power obviously feel invincible and think they have the right to act as they choose, even if they think they are being discreet. However, growing up in the age of Jerry Springer taught me that apparently men from any sort of background are subject to infidelity. Having men in influential positions who advocate adultery makes it more acceptable for the everyday man to follow.
Looking at infidelity from a historical point of view, it seems as if it has become some sort of twisted tradition among influential men, who at times get caught and have to pay the consequences today and in history.