Medieval Feminists Kick Ass

When you think of the Middle Ages, feminism and gender equality rarely come to mind. Men are kings, knights and lords while women are silent and submissive.

The setting of George R. R. Martin’s A Game of Thrones is just as sexist: whore houses abound, marriages are arranged at a startlingly young age, and rape is thought of as a necessary consequence of war. But this doesn’t stop the leading ladies of the book from taking power. The women of the Seven Kingdoms, both good and evil, stomp on female expectations and really kick some ass.

Princess Daenerys starts off about as disenfranchised as a woman can be. Her evil, abusive brother sells her off to a savage king who barely speaks her own language. Instead of giving up, she empowers herself by learning the language and customs of the new culture. She even earns the tribe’s respect by eating a horse’s heart whole. Daenerys becomes so fearless that she takes control of the clan when her husband dies. At first the other warriors refuse, saying that a woman cannot rule, but are then swayed when Daenerys gets ahold three dragons. Pretty awesome, right?

Then there is Queen Cersei. She is evil, but no less a bad ass feminist. She manipulates her husband and his council to become arguably the most powerful and feared person in the book. Although her means are unethical — treason, bribery, manipulation — they are the only ones available to her. Her choices are to empower herself with cunning and deceit or to remain a submissive wife to a man she was forced to marry. She chooses the latter, and ends up subtly controlling everything.

I could go on and on about the other awesome women in the book. Arya learns to sword fight despite gender expectations, Lady Catelyn fights off murderers and takes prisoners, the list goes on. Instead, I’ll get to the point.

A Game of Thrones sends a strong message to women: you can empower yourself no matter what your situation. These women become strong and powerful in a time where it was nearly impossible for women to do so. Yes, they’re fictional, but they are still inspiring. If they can be powerful in such a sexist culture, then I can certainly remain strong in an average American college life.

Contact the author here: jennY@morningquickie.com