Welcome back to White Rose of Avalon, my Darlings. For today’s Femme Fatale Friday blog post, I will be sharing some life lessons we can learn from Rebekah Mikaelson from The Vampire Diaries Universe! I have already done this type of post for both Katherine Pierce and Caroline Forbes, so now I wanted to focus on the other most iconic female Vampire in the series. Without further ado, let’s look at some advice from Rebekah Mikaelson!
Never Lose Hope
~Hope is more than just the name of Rebekah’s niece. Hope is something that has certainly aided Rebekah in her ability to keep on going over the years. In fact, it is hope that leads Rebekah to never stop trying to find love. It is also hope that keeps Rebekah with her brothers, as she wants to see the best in them, even as she argues with them and sometimes even outright battles them. In truth, Rebekah does not ever really give up on people, especially her family. Through it all, Rebekah also holds out hope that she could one day have a family of her own, as we see that having a simple human life she was robbed of is one of her greatest desires. Given that Klaus arranged for Rebekah to be given the Cure when Damon’s human life came to an end, it looks like she may one day get that wish after all. Now, that is proof of the power of keeping hope alive!
Love is Never Weakness
~While Klaus spent centuries stating that “Love was a Vampire’s Greatest Weakness,” Rebekah always wanted to find love. She tried many times over the centuries. We know that Klaus often killed her lovers, as he believed that they were not good enough for his sister. Of course, this is likely truly about his desire not to have Rebekah leave him. Yet, even knowing that her romances could end poorly never stopped Rebekah from falling in love. This is because Rebekah has always known that love is never a weakness, but it can be a strength. That is why Rebekah has always endured and has even been willing to give many people second chances (and then some). After all, sometimes, people will prove you right.
Having an Open Heart is a Gift
~Rebekah often bemoans that she falls in love too easily, and she is certainly judged for this by her brothers. While this can be painful, as I have stated in the previous two lessons, this is actually a strength. Rebekah’s open heart is what truly inspires her to persevere. Her open heart is also where her empathy is found. Rebekah has helped others simply because she saw something in them or thought it was right, like with her involvement with the Casquette Girls. That empathy found in her open heart is a beautiful thing, even if it may seem surprising to those who do not understand her character. If she had closed off her heart, she would not have stuck by Klaus; she would not have given Marcel a second chance (or a third, or a fourth), and she would never have had the chance to take care of Hope as a baby! While her open heart left her open to being hurt, it also allowed her to find joy.
Loyalty Can Be Complicated
~Now, as much as it fits in with Rebekah’s open heart and focus on love, her loyalty to her family is complicated. She spent many centuries being incredibly loyal to Klaus, and having her heart broken by that loyalty. That is likely what led her to conspire with Marcel to call in Mikael, and why she occasionally would go against Klaus in Mystic Falls. However, ultimately, she would always return to her brothers and prioritize their safety ahead of anyone else’s. As Marcel stated, the Mikaelsons always stick together and take ‘Always and Forever’ very seriously, even as they fight like cats and dogs amongst themselves. So, yes, loyalty is a wonderful thing, and I am an incredibly loyal person myself, but it can be very complex when your loyalty is not returned in the way you would like. Rebekah’s complicated relationships with her brothers show that while she tried to be loyal to them, she would be conflicted when loyalty to them went in opposition to having loyalty to the person that held her heart. We see this most profoundly in her relationship with Marcel, which is why that relationship is so tempestuous.
Know the Power of Your Voice
~Rebekah is very vocal about how she feels about what is happening around her. This very nature of speaking her mind, even when she is mocked for being whiny, childish, or bratty, is actually a good example of knowing the power of your voice. Our words have power, and those who taunt us are often trying to quiet us for their own comfort or agenda. Rebekah never lets anyone silence her, and that is one of her most powerful traits!
Don’t Forget the Witty Quips
~Building off of the last lesson, your voice need not be totally serious. Rebekah loves a witty quip and to use her voice with a sharp tongue. This is a great way to add some intelligence to the way you communicate, as well as to lighten the mood when things get tough. In fact, like with most witty conversationalists, Rebekah’s wit is largely built upon the trauma she has endured. It is better to make light of an issue than to wallow in misery. Of course, Rebekah has had plenty of experience with wallowing in her pain. So, the quick-witted quips are a way of keeping tensions down so that she can get through difficult situations.
Think like a Queen
~Finally, I had to end with this piece of advice: think like a Queen. While Rebekah never sought to declare herself Queen, like Klaus or Marcel called themselves Kings, she certainly embraced the regal energy. Rebekah always held her head high and knew her power. You could argue that this sense of authority comes from the fact that she is the oldest and most powerful female Vampire on the planet. However, I think there is more to it than that. Rebekah has learned through all of her trials to hold her head high and never allow others to walk all over her. You would never see Rebekah allowing herself to cower. She is willing to stand up to her brothers and to her lovers, even if that means getting a dagger in her chest for decades. So, no, Rebekah never had to declare herself a Queen; she simply lived it!
~I hope you have enjoyed these life lessons I have shared, inspired by Rebekah Mikaelson. It was my intention to show this complex character in a deeper light, beneath the surface level of a badass Original Vampire, as she has a lot of depth. What is your favorite Rebekah storyline? Let me know your thoughts in the comments below!
Note on Image: The image at the top of the post is a screenshot of Rebekah. I found the picture on https://www.reddit.com/r/TheVampireDiaries/comments/1b8b4i5/thoughtsopinions_on_rebekah_mikaelson/.
LINK TO AVALONIAN ROSE FAERY MYSTERIES PATREON: patreon.com/AvalonianRoseFaeryMysteries
Further Watching
- The Vampire Diaries (2009)
- The Originals (2013)
- Legacies (2018)