Game of Thrones has constant controversy surrounding the female characters of the show, especially in terms of rape and female oppression. However, the show also has many elements of female empowerment that tend to get overshadowed by the negatives. Examine how the female characters of Game of Thrones personify female empowerment in not just a physical sense (Brienne of Tarth and Arya Stark) ,but also in regards to mentality (Sansa Stark).
It would be good to compare this to the period itself-- many people forget that this is a period piece that represents people in a certain time period (that happened to be very oppressing towards women). Even though this occurs, there are very strong female characters. Are the instances a woman has achieved something that a male could not? Or a time in which a character broke out of her "place?" – Nicole Wethington9 years ago
Game of Thrones isn't a period piece, it's a work of fantasy. Excusing the commodification of women's bodies on the show and excessive use of violence against women as plot devices for realism doesn't make any sense. I don't think you can make an argument that women are empowered when they are raped, abused and used excessively for shock and narrative thrust. The books are a different story though.
– Emilie Medland-Marchen9 years ago
There's female empowerment in the show, but HBO is not as interested in that as they are interested in their exploitation. The books walk that line very carefully, and because sex sells, the show does not. – Kathleen Lassiter9 years ago
I think it should also be noted that it does not matter if a female is physically or emotionally or mentally strong in a piece of art in order for the character to be strong. A female character is strong if she isn't a trope, and if she is human. And Game of Thrones in my opinion, has some of the strongest character developments for male and female characters alike. (However, character analysis aside, I still stand by my point that GoT has failed in their portrayals of female rape). – HeatherDeBel9 years ago