I'm finally jumping on the Game of Thrones bandwagon after adamant refusal based on the few scenes I had watched: scenes full of medieval torture, violence against children, and casual rape. Despite my love for all things fantasy, I felt like Game of Thrones went a bit too far in the pursuit of entertainment. Sex sells, after all, consensual or not. Game of Thrones has a compelling story to tell, and if you can stomach the violence, there is a surprising amount of feminism in the face of a wholly patriarchal society. Here are 10 feminist moments from season one:
1. When Cersei cheats on the king.
Why it's feminist: This is a woman who is in control of her own body and by extension her own fate. Her future is not to be dictated even by the king, who, as we later find out, has never loved her. The heir to the iron throne? Not the king's son, that's for sure. What a badass.
2. When Daenerys asks her handmaiden for advice.
Why it's feminist: Doreah was sold into sex slavery before she reached her tenth birthday, but she has found empowerment in that position. Daenerys asks how to please her new husband sexually, and Doreah's advice was to take control, not to be taken as a slave, but to hold power in the bedroom. Not only is this an example of women empowering women, but it is also an example of women owning their sexuality.
3. When Arya tussles with Prince Joffrey.
Why it's feminist: Arya Stark defies traditional gender roles, behavior that is discouraged by society but encouraged by her family. Her half-brother Jon Snow has a sword made for her, and while practicing, she not only physically threatens the heir to the Iron Throne, but also calls him a liar in the king's court. In the name of what is right, she refuses to submit to the will of the most powerful man in the seven kingdoms.
4. When Eddard Stark arranges sword fighting lessons for his daughter.
Why it's feminist: Lord Stark, rather than reprimands his daughter Arya for foregoing needlepoint and long skirts in favor of a sword and slacks, instead gives her lessons with a master of sword fighting. This man, Syrio, does not treat her differently than he would treat a boy wanting to learn. Both of these men see the potential in young Arya regardless of her societal status.
5. When Daenerys stands up to her brother.
Why it's feminist: With bloodlines typically running through male family members, Daenerys's brother Viserys feels a sense of entitlement to the Iron Throne and to rule over the seven kingdoms due to his lineage. Daenerys sees the weakness in her brother who overcompensates with overt masculinity. Originally, she tries to stand by his side, but as she settles into her role as Khaleesi, she begins to claim her own rights. The season finale reveals her magical abilities to bring back the dragons of her clan who have been gone for generations. Talk about good genes!
6. When Osha is unamused by her captor.
Why it's feminist: This woman won't bow down. Osha is a wildling woman, someone who lives on the outskirts of society and is viewed as somewhat savage. When she and a few men attempt to rob Bran Stark, her companions are slain, and she is taken as a prisoner. Later, Theon harasses her, telling her to call him "my Lord." She responds that she will not, as he hasn't yet earned that title, even though he literally holds her fate in his hands. Now that's bold.
7. When Cersei tears up the king's letter.
Why it's feminist: Cersei is one bad bitch. I definitely don't condone her behavior, but this woman knows what she wants and will do whatever is necessary to get it. As a woman, she has little power, but as a mother, she has loads. After King Robert's death, Eddard Stark is meant to be an interim protector until Joffrey comes of age, as was dictated by King Robert. However, when confronted with this piece of paper, the queen shreds it and hits Stark with treason charges. Her son Joffrey will be king, and she will be the puppetmaster.
8. When Hodor Appears Fully Naked.
Why it's feminist: This is not a feminist moment for the storyline, per se; however, this is a feminist act of equality by GoT writers and HBO alike. Very rarely are we exposed to the fully naked male form. Rather, we are much more likely to see a woman's breasts in even movies and TV shows with PG-13 ratings. Obviously, genitalia is more private than breasts and nipples alone. Some may argue that equality is showing neither naked men nor naked women, but as far as I'm concerned seeing both rather than neither is, well,
9. When Daenerys claims the women at Lhazar.
Why it's feminist: Daenerys is using her new position to protect women, rather than allowing them to be raped and enslaved by the Dothraki. Her husband supports this decision, which is also a feminist move on his part. One of the men calls Daenerys a foreign whore, and Drogo kills him in a badass swordfight with scythes. Daenerys not only protects these women but affirms and encourages their talents and abilities to try to assimilate them with the Dothraki. Most of the men disagree with what they deem witchcraft, but Drogo affirms her power as Khaleesi.
10. When Eddard Stark saves his daughters.
Why it's feminist: Eddard Stark is told that if he confesses to treason his life and those of his daughters will be spared. At the risk of dishonoring himself in the eyes of the kingdoms and his family and friends, Stark makes a false confession to spare his daughters, though he knows his own life will inevitably come to an end. Joffrey refuses to be merciful, ordering Stark's public execution then and there. Eddard's final wishes are made clear when he looks to make sure his daughter Arya is not watching as the sword comes down on his neck. Everything he does is for the sake of the women in his life.
11. When Sansa threatens Joffrey.
Why it's feminist: Sansa is arguably the least feminist female in the show so far. However, after Joffrey brutally has her father murdered in front of her and forces her to look at her father's head mounted on a spear outside the castle, Sansa retorts that her brother Robb may, in fact, bring her Joffrey's head on a spike. This obviously angers him, and he orders one of his men to strike her. She makes a move as if to push him off the bridge, but is stopped by the Hound, who tells her to do as Joffrey says and save herself the trouble. Inevitably, I anticipate Sansa doing just that, but you can't deny her girl power moment.
12. When Arya goes into hiding as a boy.
Why it's feminist: Arya fiercely defends that she is a girl earlier in the series when people confuse her for a boy because of her behavior or dress. Now that her life is at stake, she must go into hiding, and the best disguise for her is a haircut and some new clothes. This is a feminist act for two reasons: 1. because she has no trouble keeping up with other boys her age, and 2. because it is now made absolutely clear that the gender-power gap is only there because of societal expectations. No one questions or teases her now that she is presented as male, though she is behaving exactly the same as before.
13. When Daenerys Births Dragons.
Why it's feminist: The rapid sequence of events is this: Daenerys begged the witch to save Drogo's life, a promise that was fulfilled, but Drogo is a mere shell of the man he was. His body lives, but his spirit is gone. Realizing this, Daenerys smothers him with a pillow out of mercy and gives him a proper funeral. She burns the witch along with him and walks into the flames herself. At the end of the episode, she rises from the still-smoking pyre covered in ash, but otherwise unharmed, with three newly hatched dragons crawling upon her. She says nothing as the others bow down in awe.
The pro-dragon feminist in me has spoken: I'm watching the rest of this series! What about you?
