How Game of Thrones became a tale of female empowerment

We’re taking a look at why women on Game of Thrones aren’t damsels, and why they can hold power better than the men.

Gender equality may be nonexistent in Game of Thrones, but their women do not deserve to be recognized as prostitutes or as victims of abuse.

Instead, they deserve to be acknowledged for their empowerment and overall development.

Throughout its seven-year run so far, the women have learned to exhibit boldness–they became unafraid to play the game, and are now even playing by their own rules. And today, they continue to prove that they do not need men in order to advance in their status–they continue to prove that they are no longer living in a man’s world.

Women on Game of Thrones aren’t damsels. In fact, they are often saving their own selves. They have moved from the margins to become the story, and moreover as leading contestants for the Iron Throne. If you recall, the biggest plot points that were played out in the latter seasons involved—if not centered on—the women.

Sure, many of the female characters have been sexually assaulted (in a medieval patriarchy, sexual violence against women is typical). But in Game of Thrones, it is recognized that they deserve more than just being raped. This is why the latter seasons are so compelling. In a realm full of chauvinism and misogyny, the male characters are being pushed to the margins to make room for these powerful women. And after enduring much hardship and challenge, the women have fought and clawed their way to the top.

Game of Thrones and the female characters it creates

I praise Game of Thrones for its ability to produce female characters that are just as rich in depth as their male counterparts. Shows generally have a tendency to portray their female characters as love interests or victims without giving them depth, or even the chance to stick around. But Game of Thrones commendably makes an effort to expand the roles of their women. They’re about as real as a person you’ll ever see: honorable, but traitorous; loving, but hateful; perfect, but flawed.

And Cersei (Lena Headey) is probably the primary example.

Let’s face it: she’s all shades of evil. There are very few times where we actually wanted to take her side, and even then, it was probably out of pity.

But viewers have come to at least understand her corruptness.

In the earlier seasons, Cersei operated out of insecurity. You can blame her father Tywin (Charles Dance) for that one. But by the end of season six, Cersei was no longer driven by power—she was driven by revenge.

Cersei had been punished in the harshest possible way when her incestuous relationship with her brother Jaime (Nikolaj Coster-Waldau) became known to the public. She was paraded in the streets of her own town, naked and pelted with garbage. And she hated that she was reminded of what she used to be: powerless, pushed around, and in no position to fight back. 

So she took revenge. And that is the story that led her to sit on the Iron Throne.

In another world, she could have been a “good” person. But because of how she chose to react to pivotal moments in her life, she became who she is. Yes, revenge is an emotion most of us can identify with. But Cersei doesn’t govern with emotion—she rules with an iron fist. She is a survivor, and that is the core of the show.

The Sansa Stark we know and love

After the Battle of the Bastards, everything we thought about Sansa (Sophie Turner) changed. Right then, she officially became one of the most badass women on the show.

Sansa Stark (Sophie Turner) in Game of Thrones. Photo: HBO

She ended up betrothed to the evil little boy that was King Joffrey (Jack Gleeson). And although the lavish lifestyle satisfied her at first, she soon realized all the repercussions of living under House Lannister. She eventually mustered up confidence to go off on Joffrey, and it was here that we got our first taste of her sass.

And then came Ramsay (Iwan Rheon), who made Joffrey look like a saint. Sansa’s strength in the face of his unimaginable abuse had us rooting for her more and more.

Sansa’s story arc reaches its climax when she reunited with her brother Jon (Kit Harington). She knew that Jon would lose the Battle, so she reached out for reinforcements from Littlefinger. And just when it looked like Jon and his army were about to fall, she arrived with the Veil’s army in tow.

The “Battle of the Bastards” episode ends with Sansa getting revenge on Ramsay. Sansa just watches as his dogs tear his flesh apart and eat him alive (he had not fed them for seven days, mind you). She then walks away and smiles to herself, making for the biggest mic drop of the show.

Our Khaleesi

Daenerys’ (Emilia Clarke) journey from a sheltered girl to a powerful queen is archetypally feminist. There isn’t a character arc more packed with girl power than hers. Since the first season, Daenerys has grown to be a woman worth admiring and emulating. Despite the deaths of her husband Drogo (Jason Momoa) and her unborn child Rhaego, Daenerys’ faith in herself has led her to conquer many trials by fire, both figuratively and literally. Daenerys has succeeded against the odds, proving that she has the strength to overcome any obstacle in this brutal, hyper-masculine world.

Qhono (Staz Nair) and Daenerys Targaryen (Emilia Clarke) in Game of Thrones. Photo: Helen Sloan/HBO

Oppressed and sold by her brother Viserys (Harry Lloyd) as a young bride to Drogo, Daenerys learned that she must be strong so that no man can push her around. Lay a hand on her and you will undoubtedly lose it. Her strength commands respect.

Daenerys picks up such a loyal following because she understands the importance of inspiration. When she visits Slaver’s Bay, she sees the horrible conditions in which the slaves were living in. Once sold as chattel herself, she decides to free them, thus becoming their mhysa (mother). The slaves then pledge their lives, loyalty, and love to her. The slaves fighting for her as free men signify that she is not a tyrannical leader, but an equal. She illustrates how vital respect and appreciation are in order to build strong relationships.

Throughout the series, men have insulted Daenerys because she was a woman. But instead of taking the insult, she just throws it right back. She has taught women not to be afraid of their gender, but to use it to their advantage. “Woman? Is that meant to insult me? I would return the slap, if I took you for a man,” has become a staple quote for feminism.

And remember when she killed some horny, sexist khals? Hail BBIC!

Daenerys doesn’t have just one name, she has several: the Queen of Meereen; the Queen of the Andals, the Rhoynar, and the First Men; Lady Regent of the Seven Kingdoms; Protector of the Realm; the Khaleesi of the Great Grass Sea; the Breaker of Chains; the Mother of Dragons.

To name a few.

And with those titles, she has gained a ton of respect.

In a society where women generally take a supporting role, Daenerys is an inspiration to all women. She has survived against all odds and is now one of the leading contenders to ultimately take the Iron Throne for good. She has come a long way. No matter the obstacle, she has the confidence and the certainty to carry herself through.

Aside from the three above, Game of Thrones has given us so many wonderfully deep and nuanced heroines—think Ayra (Maisie Williams), Brienne (Gwendoline Christie), and Yara (Gemma Whelan). It’s rare to see this many fantastic females that, per Clarke via Entertainment Weekly, “are not only equal, but have a lot of strength.”

Women have for so long been on the sidelines in this show, but things have changed quite a great deal. Rape or enslave or shame a woman in Game of Thrones, and she will either burn your center of religious worship, feed you to your starving dogs, or take command of your armies after she burns your sexist arse to death, as we have learned. Wars led by women isn’t something you really see in today’s media. But here they are, kicking ass and taking names.

So who run Westeros? Girls.

Watch out, boys.