CRISTOBAL, AYLA MONICCA C.

MARCH 4, 2014

3POL1 Prof. Ronald M. Castillo,

MA

“The Concept of Power in relation to Game of Thrones”

“Power tends to corrupt, and absolute power corrupts absolutely,” says Lord John
Dalberg-Acton. The concept of power is, without a doubt, the central yet most problematic
concepts in world politics. Power is also an integral part in political philosophy. It is the field
where one can find the theories and beliefs behind politics and decision making that may be used
to obtain power or to justify its existence. This paper aims to show the existence of power within
states or territories and illustrate the corrupting influence of power, using George R. R. Martin’s
Game of Thrones as an example, by providing different thematic instances from the last two
episodes of the third season, which are The Rains of Castamere and Mhysa.

The concept of power is the most significant part that is dominantly seen within the
episodes of the series. George R. R. Martin supports the idea that both good and evil are existent
within the individual’s character. One’s use of social and political power customarily divulges
the restrictions and moral boundaries of one person. Abuse of power ensues when one’s
psychological problems emasculate his or her moral principles. This was seen when Theon
Greyjoy tried to conquer and take Winterfell—because he has always felt like an incompetent
outsider since his father sent him away to become a ward as a castigation for the Greyjoy
rebellion, resulting to his torment in the episode of Mhysa when he was tortured by Ramsay
Snow. The influence of power can also be seen during the “Red Wedding” in the episode of The
Rains of Castamere when Lord Frey unmercifully killed the Starks and the rest of the Stark army
during the wedding feast. This act of treachery “to end the war,” according to Tywin Lannister,
has given and assured Lord Bolton and Lord Frey rewards from the Lannisters—Lord Bolton as
the new Warden of the North and Lord Frey as the Lord of Riverrun and the Freys as the
replacement of the Tullys as the Lannisters’ vassals in the Riverlands.

Moreover, by this concept of power arises the idea of Realpolitik or Political Realism.
Political Realism is a theory of political philosophy that aspire to elucidate, model, and prescribe
political relations (Moseley, n.d.). It takes the notion that power is ought to be the primary goal
and end of political action. This thought avows that a ruler should strive to maximize his power
and that he is ought to pursue power for his own interest and not rule by ideology. Michel
Foucault has increasingly influenced and affected the study of politics. He established a radical
conception of social power as forming schemes exemplifying intentions of their own, above any
individual. For Foucault, individuals are as much products of as participants in games of power
(Kelly, 2009). Additionally, power, for him, is what makes us what we are, functioning in
different levels, hence, power is everywhere.

“Show them how it feels to lose what they love.”

This line was said by Lady Catelyn Stark to her son, Robb, when he was planning and
strategizing on taking over Casterly Rock. This is another theme that is dominantly perceived in
the two episodes—kinship or the essence of family. Aside from that scene, the importance of
family was also shown when Lord Tywin talks about family and Tyrion’s failure to consummate
his marriage to Sansa. Out of rage, Tyrion demanded to know a single time that his father,
Tywin, had done something that was not in his interest but solely for the benefit of the family.
His father replied:

“…the day that you were born. I wanted to carry you into the sea and let the waves
wash you away. Instead, I let you live and I brought you up as my son because you
are a Lannister.”

The family’s honor is also a fundamental part in the essence of kinship. According to Georg W.
F. Hegel, the very identity of family members is arbitrated by relation to others. It is
characterized by love which is, “mind’s feeling of its own unity,” (Peddle, 2000) where one’s
gist of individuality is within this unity. Hence, familial love denotes an incongruity between not
desiring to be a self-subsistent and liberated person if that means feeling inadequate, and wanting
to be acknowledged in another person. However, as said by Hegel, the family is also a limited
form of ethical life for the reason that individuals cannot completely develop to their full
potential as long as they remain independent on their parents. The purpose of the family is to
cultivate the individuality of children to the point where they can leave their natural relations and
be sovereign on their own. This is also seen when Nedd Stark, Lady Stark’s husband, died and
Robb became the heir to the throne as the King of the North.
 Mary Wollstonecraft’s political philosophy about women empowerment and equality in
the society can also be seen on the two episodes. Arya Stark’s strength and courage as a woman
were very much exemplified in both episodes. Though in fiction, she became a living proof that
women can also do such things that men do. Furthermore, In the episode of The Rains of
Castamere, Lady Catelyn Stark embodied the courage and capability of a woman, especially a
mother. She still fought for her son’s life, even though she was not certain whether Lord Frey
will let Robb go,to the point that they were both killed by the men of Freys. On the other hand, in
the episode of Mhysa, Daenerys Targaryen exemplified the capabilities of a strong woman, just
as what Wollstonecraft advocates in the society. Despite the fact that Daenerys is a woman, she
still has the power and finesse to lead and rule a force that could possibly seize the Seven
Kingdoms of Westeros and sit on the Iron Throne. These scenes illustrates the empowerment of
women and their equality, and the discrepancy of the dictates of the society to women.

As an abridgment, by using the different political philosophies of different political

thinkers, it help shed light on the given thematic instances on every scene by explaining different
views or philosophies of some of the thinkers in modern era. Given these varied thematic
instances, these themes still comes back to its central thought which is power and how it tends to
corrupt. It is established that even given fictional depiction, namely The Game of Thrones, it is to
be seen that this paper displayed a capacity to surpass an implication that power is not always
about great things—that it also has negative impact on both the ruler and the ruled. This paper
ends with a mantra from Uncle Ben that was passed down to Peter Parker in Spiderman:

“With great power comes great responsibility.”

References
Benioff, D., Weiss, D. (Producers), Martin, G. R. (Writer), & Nutter, D. (Director). (2011). Game of
Thrones [Motion Picture].

Kelly, M. G. (2009). The Political Philosophy of Michel Foucault. New York: Taylor & Francis. Retrieved
March 3, 2014

Moseley, A. (n.d.). Political Realism. Retrieved March 3, 2014, from Internet Encyclopedia of Philosophy:
A Peer-Reviewed Academic Resource: http://www.iep.utm.edu/polreal/
Peddle, D. (2000). Hegel's Political Ideal: Civil Society, History, and Sittlichkeit. Animus, 5, 113-143.

Wollstonecraft, M. (1792). A Vindication of the Rights of Woman with Strictures on Political and Moral
Subjects. The Online Library of Liberty, 7, 78-115.