"Daenerys: The Feminist Character Game of Thrones Needed" by Yassera Lewis

Daenerys: The Feminist Character Game of Thrones Needed 

Yassera Lewis

Daenerys Targaryen is a valid representation of a feminist character in Game of Thrones. Many will argue otherwise based on her journey to becoming the powerful woman she is within the seven kingdoms of Game of Thrones. She is a very powerful feminist character that can actually be very inspiring to the women within Game of Thrones, and even women in the real world. Though parts of her journey within the show mirror some very obvious misogynistic tropes, these experiences are metaphorically comparable to experiences of women outside of this gruesome, macho-ran world built by a man, George Raymond Martin. 

One argument made by Callie Ahlgrim, in her article titled: “Making Daenerys a 'Mad Queen' on 'Game of Thrones' is the culmination of every demeaning sexist trope over the show's 8 seasons”, was that Daenerys’, “Targaryen blood was used as an excuse to make her one-dimensional”. Ahlgrim admits that some of Daenerys’ actions were purposeful, but it is hard to ignore the similarities between her and her father, “who loved burning his enemies alive with wildfire” (Ahlgrim). Many describe Dany as angry, but it is clear that she comes off one-dimensional because she is being looked at from one dimension. Dany is a multi-dimensional character that has been through a lot: arranged marriage, rape, and lots more. This is already a hefty load for one person but her being so young amplifies the effects of such traumatic experiences. It is clear, Daenerys has had to be a strong independent character to keep herself afloat. She does not have any consistent emotional support. In earlier episodes, Daenerys is eager for some kind of guidance on how to cope with the already high expectations of being a woman. Her talking with her handmaids to seek guidance on how to please her husband, Khal Drogo, shows that she could use some form of feminine/maternal support to help her learn how to be a woman. Since Dany did not get this kind of support, she had to fight through childhood trauma, pretty much, alone. This is very damaging, which can easily explain Daenerys' lust for power and control. 

Despite trauma being a real factor in Daenerys’ journey, she still continues to grow stronger throughout the show. Daenerys is a great example for women in and out of the show.  Emilia Clarke, the actor of Daenerys Targaryen, stated in an interview that acting as Dany has given her, “real insight into what it feels like to be a woman who stands up to inequality and hate” (Park). Sabrina Rojas Weiss highlighted a quote from this interview with Emilia Clarke that helped validate Daenerys’ journey. Clarke stated that Dany, “shows the range that happens to women, and ultimately shows women are not only equal, but have a lot of strength”.  This is one of the many reasons Emilia Clarke comes to the defense of Game of Thrones when it is ridiculed for the, “frequent rape and victimization of its female characters” and of couse all the nudity. She believes that many critics of these aspects of the show sell Game of Thrones short (Weiss). Ironically, many critics do the same to Daenerys. The judgements casted onto her reflect real judgments of women subjected and born into a system run by men. 

Callie Ahlgrim makes the argument that “nearly every woman on the show has been sidelined or sabotaged, used as mere plot points, or turned into one-dimensional stereotypes”. At the point in the show where I am, this is not the case. Even if this is what the show will result into, it still does not erase the experience all those female characters had to go through. Denying the value of displaying multidimensional struggles of women is misogynistic in itself. Seeing powerful women like Daenerys is empowering and shows how complex women are. Women aren’t seen as powerful beings in the show and in real life. It is empowering to see a strong female character who was born with power. Though power should have been a birthright for Daenerys, she still had to fight for it because of a system that does not trust the minds and decisions of women, and sees them as property.  If anything Daenerys defies misogynistic stereotypes. Though her arranged marriage to Khal Drogo may seem like a way for her to screw her way into more power, it can not be the case because it was not her place to initiate this transaction of power. Though this experience was a part of her journey, it is not the sole reason for her rise to power. The power was already in her blood. Which like I stated previously, adds more dimension to Daenerys as a character. Dany has power running through her veins so with or without a man she was going to inherit the power she was born with. She clearly was born with power and drive. She just needed it to be brought out of her through growth. Though trauma is not the only way to grow, Daenerys happened to be a victim of it but she did not allow it to defeat her. On the contrary, these experiences became fuel for her on her rise to power. These experiences helped but Daenerys did not learn to be strong because of men’s treatment towards her. She always had the strength.

Daenerys lived and grew up in a world that saw women as property and less than. It makes sense that it took some rough times for Daenerys to learn how powerful she naturally is. I think a big barrier for Daenerys on her journey to becoming the powerful dragon mother, was her lack of vision for her self-worth. I think that societal norms in the world of Game of Thrones created an idea in Daenerys’ head that she had to put up with the behavior she was going through and that her worth resembled her experiences. For a young girl, a lot was thrown at her and these experiences could easily make anyone, especially a teenager, question their worth. For example, Daenerys was arranged to marry Khal Drogo, an older man who she was a stranger to. This arrangement was set up by her family, that alone is a lot and shows that her family believes in the norms set in place by society. When the closest people to you see you as property, that has to take a heavy toll on self-image. It took Daenerys time to realize her self-worth, which is why she has turned into such a fierce and bold character. Her lack of self doubt carries her through her experiences of gaining power. Women are not decision makers in this world so it is powerful that Daenerys stands strongly in her decisions towards gaining power. She does whatever it takes, which is the pillar of equality in the world of Game of Thrones because men in this world move the same way to gain power. Ruthlessness is the standard among men in the world of Game of Thrones, but when displayed in women it is seen as angry. It is good that critiques are the least of Daenerys’ worries. Like most women, she has to learn to make these critiques background noise when there is a bigger purpose on her path. 

Daenerys’ character serves as a great representation for a feminist character in Game of Thrones.

She helps present a non-traditional experience of a powerful woman. Though she may be non-traditional in the world of Game of Thrones, many women in the real world can create a connection with Daenerys. Her resiliency shines in this show and displays the trials many women actually face. Though parts of her journey within the show mirror some very obvious misogynistic tropes, these experiences are metaphorically comparable to experiences of women outside of this gruesome, macho-ran world built by a man. 

Work Cited

Ahlgrim, Callie. “Making Daenerys a 'Mad Queen' on 'Game of Thrones' Is the Culmination of Every Demeaning Sexist Trope over the Show's 8 Seasons.” Insider, Insider, 17 May 2019, www.insider.com/game-of-thrones-daenerys-cersei-mad-queen-twist-sexist-trope-2019-5. 

Park, Andrea. “Emilia Clarke Says She's a Better Feminist Because of Daenerys Targaryen.” Glamour, Glamour, 18 Dec. 2017, www.glamour.com/story/emilia-clarke-empowered-by-daenerys-targaryen-and-game-of-thrones. 

Weiss, Sabrina Rojas. “Even Emilia Clarke Gets Feminist Inspiration From Daenerys Targaryen.” Game of Thrones Emilia Clarke Daenerys Feminist, Refinery29, 2017, www.refinery29.com/en-us/2017/12/185787/game-of-thrones-daenerys-feminist-emilia-clarke.