Feminism in the World of Westeros: Arianne Martell vs. Daenerys Targaryen

Introduction

The world of Westeros, as depicted in George R.R. Martin’s A Song of Ice and Fire, is far from a utopia for women. Despite the

Despite the inclusion of powerful female characters like Arianne Martell and Daenerys Targaryen, the overarching narrative

Understanding Feminism

Feminism, in the broader sense, is a social, political, and cultural movement aimed at achieving gender equality. For feminism to be

For feminism to be accepted and effective, it must be rooted in a society that values egalitarianism and progress, where the future is

Arianne Martell: The Born Feminist

Arianne Martell is undoubtedly a product of her upbringing, which greatly influenced her perspective on gender roles. Raised in a society

Arianne Martell, raised in Dorne, is a Classical example of a feminist in terms of her personal beliefs and actions. However, her

Her actions, while seemingly progressive, such as her efforts to make Myrcella the queen, ultimately fall short when

Daenerys Targaryen: A Misunderstood Figure

Daenerys Targaryen, by contrast, hardly fits the mold of a feminist. Her primary focus is her own right to the Iron Throne, going so far as to

Daenerys, while advocating for the rights of herself as the last Targaryen, does not extend this support to other women in

The Core Context of A Song of Ice and Fire

A Song of Ice and Fire, like many other works, critiques several societal structures, including war, feudalism, gender roles, and religion.

These structures are interwoven and perpetuate each other. For instance, the feudal system inherently reinforces traditional gender roles,

The Shortcomings of Arianne and Daenerys

Neither Arianne nor Daenerys challenge the system as a whole. While both have moments where they address gender roles, their efforts fall

Arianne's attempts to make Myrcella queen and Daenerys’s focus on her succession rights show their understanding of gender roles, but they

Conclusion

In conclusion, the portrayal of Arianne Martell and Daenerys Targaryen as figures of empowerment is a nod to the nuanced nature of feminism

Feminism goes beyond individual gender roles and requires challenging the systems that perpetuate them. To truly embrace feminism, one must