People have been asking me what I mean by “rake.” I guess it’s an antiquated term. So I figure if I write it out here, maybe the questions will stop. No, I don’t mean the implement one uses to clear fallen leaves from the yard. I take this description of the Rake character from Robert Greene’s book, The Art of Seduction.
The Rake
A woman never quite feels desired and appreciated enough. She wants attention, but a man is too often distracted and unresponsive. The Rake is a great female fantasy figure–when he desires a woman, brief though that may be, he will go to the ends of the earth for her. He may be disloyal, dishonest, and amoral, but that only adds to his appeal. Unlike the normal, cautious male, the Rake is delightfully unrestrained, a slave to his love of women. There is the added lure of his reputation: so many women have succumbed to him, there has to be a reason. Words are a woman’s weakness, and the Rake is a master of seductive language. Stir a woman’s repressed longings by adapting the Rake’s mix of danger and pleasure.
I also include a description of the Charismatic, as I add a healthy dose of that character as well:
The Charismatic
Charisma is a presence that excites us. It comes from an inner quality–self-confidence, sexual energy, sense of purpose, contentment–that most people lack and want. This quality radiates outward, permeating the gestures of Charismatics, making them seem extraordinary and superior, and making us imagine there is more to them than meets the eye: they are gods, saints, stars. Charismatics can learn to heighten their charisma with a piercing gaze, fiery oratory, an air of mystery. They can seduce on a grand scale. Learn to create the charismatic illusion by radiating intensity while remaining detached.
Here’s an interesting blog post by Greene in which he contemplates the character of the Rake some more: Click here.
