My Cart - Do you discuss the last episode of Game of Thrones at lunch with your colleagues or run away from them to avoid spoilers if you haven’t watched it yet? Do you know by heart all the houses of Westeros? Do you start humming the series’ theme tune every April because the new season is arriving?
After six seasons, there are few people who haven’t watched this fantasy series, based on the acclaimed collection of novels A Song of Ice and Fire. It attracts people from all over the world but it is being especially praised for its female characters – quite different from the stereotypical women in other fantasy works.
What stereotypes has Game of Thrones already broken?
[BRACE YOURSELVES, SPOILERS ARE COMING]
- The Evil Queen
Cersei, who started as queen of Westeros, is one of these beautiful women who uses her position to plot against her enemies. Her ambition to keep her family ruling has no limits – including murdering. She was seen as the kind of woman who suffered the repressions of patriarchy and then learned to twist its rules to her advantage.
Nevertheless, in recent seasons, Cersei has experienced a downfall that, far from finishing with her, has added more complexity to her character. After public humiliation and the death of close family members the ‘evil queen’ has shown to the spectators that she won’t be beaten.
The season finale was a huge episode for Cersei, from the success of her dastardly plans to the unexpected response from her beloved son. We’re left with a Cersei that has nothing left to lose and is starting to look a little unhinged. We’re excited to see how the people of Kings Landing take to their new Queen.
- The Prophesied Ruler
Daenerys was given as a bride in exchange for an army for her brother when she was barely a teenager. She’s currently one of the most powerful persons in the Game of Thrones’ world, but, she hasn’t just accomplished all that with her unique ability of taming dragons.
In fact, she is a character who has always been able to show fear and doubt as her kingdom grows and, understandably, faces many difficulties. Because of this, we can see how she’s turning into a wise ruler – not just one who has been placed there because of luck or a prophecy!
Season 6 ended with the Mother of Dragons finally setting out for Westeros so we can’t wait to see her join the game! If Kings Landing thought wildfire was bad, they ain’t seen nothing yet!
- The Princess
Sansa Stark seemed to have just one aspiration throughout the first season of the series: get married to a prince and become the queen of Westeros. This would have turned her character into yet another cliché in the fantasy genre.
However, as her dreams were truncated pretty quickly, the teenage girl had no other option than to mature. Many people have described her as a weak character, completely dependent on the men surrounding her. But the truth is that she has demonstrated an extraordinary capacity of adaptation and survival. She wouldn’t be alive at this point of the series if she was truly weak – and, in fact, it seems she’s beginning to restore her position as a legitimate ruler of the North. Season 6 was a big season for Sansa as we watched her grow into a smart and ruthless Stark – who knows what season 7 has in store for her!
- The Tomboy
In epic fantasy, it seems that women need to act like men to be strong. This has been frustrating female spectators for decades. Arya Stark is the kind of girl who prefers taking up a sword rather than a needle, however, her (arguably) masculine attributes haven’t assured her success.
Arya has faced many challenges – including physical disability – that have proved that the strength of her personality comes from her convictions, showing that are these (and not a sword) what make her uniquely strong. We’re hoping to see Arya reunited with her family in season 7, but we’d also love to see a few more names crossed off her list! Frey pie anyone?
Are you prepared to re-watch the series that is breaking moulds at this moment? Calling your friends in to enjoy a couple of episodes is always a good plan for the evening – don’t forget to bring drinks and plenty of food for the discussion afterwards! Looking for a good TV to make you feel you actually are in Westeros? We are positive you’ll find what you want in our catalogue! Feel free to contact our friendly team at any time and we’ll be happy to help.
