The Oppression Of Women In Game Of Thrones

History names hundreds of conquerors who have won famous wars and defeated mighty nations. Among these are Alexander the Great, Julius Ceaser, and Hernan Cortez. The ratio of male to female names on that list is grossly uneven, although the few female names, such as Joan of Arc, are highly recognizable. These women are looked up to as being great examples for girls today because of their perseverance in a man’s world. The hit TV series Game of Thrones depicts several women with high power, intelligence, and strength which rivals or defeats the men in the series. However, these women are undervalued again and again both by their rivals and by their own loved ones. Cersei Baratheon, Queen of the Seven Kingdoms, exemplifies how women, even today,
Everything Cersei said about loyalty to her family, was true. Cersei is strong and smart, and she is willing to do whatever it takes for her family. Yet her father still dismisses her so easily. Cersei and the audience both realize that if it had been Jamie proclaiming that loyalty, Tywin would have been much more eager to hear is opinion and give him authority. This truth is also agonizingly apparent in the working world today. Feminists have been attacking this truth for years. A woman who is hardworking, smart, and good at her job can very easily lose out on the opportunity of a promotion because a man is also contending for that same promotion. Thankfully, laws have disallowed this type of workplace sexism, however, that does not automatically solve the problem. Women, however, are now at least given a voice if they are dismissed because of their
Cersei, in defense of herself, dares Tywin to try stopping Joffrey from doing what he likes. Tywin looks up and responds, “I will,” with a finality that leaves shivers in the audience’s bones.
Tywin’s last words are so antagonizing because they were said to assert his dominance over Cersei. He throws her weakness in her face, and he assures her that he will succeed where she has failed. He also is telling her that he has no interest in her help because he is powerful enough to do it all on his own. Tywin displays himself as the ultimate chauvinist in those two words.
There are still chauvinists in today’s world. Women are still told that they “cannot.” Because of femininity, women cannot be the best soldier, a successful engineer, or a large business owner. There are men for those positions. The women need not even attempt to become involved. Acknowledgement can be made to the fact that women, physically, tend to be weaker. Also, mentally, women have a more nurturing nature. This does not, however, make it acceptable to teach young girls that they are only capable of reaching so