A concubine is a woman in a relationship with a man without being married to him. The couple may be together for love or for sex but are unable to be married, usually because of legal or social status issues. Or the man may already be married or the woman might be a slave. Concubines are usually clear on what their duties are to the man.
Sexual Service
The main duty of a concubine is to service the man sexually. The man's sexual gratification is the concubine's number one priority. To do this, she satisfies all of the man's sexual desires, often doing things the man would never ask of his wife. The concubine is kept in her own quarters or area where she is ready around the clock for the man. To ensure she does all she can to be sexually appealing, she usually does everything in her power to keep herself beautiful and attractive.
Bear Children
For centuries, one of the duties of a concubine has been to bear children for the man. In some cases, the wife is unable to have children for whatever reason so the concubine is given the responsibility. Or the wife is only producing female heirs and a male is required so a concubine is brought into the picture. When producing children is the main reason a concubine is underfoot, the children often have the same rights as those born to wives.
Travel Companion
In marriages where the wife has to stay at home for whatever reason, a man may have a concubine for a travelling companion. Used mainly by wealthy men, the concubine ensures that the man does not have to be abstinent when away from his wife. When the man goes to functions, the concubine acts like a wife and accompanies the man in situations that involve spouses. For men with more than one concubine, the one that gets to travel with the man is considered the highest in the hierarchy.
Create a Family
For men in some cultures or men in careers that don't allow them to get married (such as particular positions in the church and some military ranks), having a concubine allows them to create a family without the luxury of marriage. The woman is able to bear children for the man and perform all the duties of a wife without the legal obligation or title of marriage.
Throughout history and continuing through modern times, concubines have played many roles and fulfilled a myriad of duties.
Sources:
"The Concubine"; Nora Lofts; June 2008
"Wives, Slaves, and Concubines"; Eric Jones; June 2010
Toby Welch - Toby is a full-time freelance writer who specializes in magazine articles, online writing, e-books, and manuscript editing.
