“Game of Thrones” Author Explains Violence Against Women in Series

Helen Sloan/courtesy of HBO(LOS ANGELES) — There’s no denying Game of Thrones is a violent series, but the steady stream of violence against women in particular bothers many viewers of the HBO medieval fantasy series. The anger level rose sharply a few weeks ago when character Sansa Stark was assaulted by her new husband on their wedding night.

In response to the criticism, author George R.R. Martin — who writes the Song of Ice and Fire novel series on which Game of Thrones is based — has released a lengthy statement to Entertainment Weekly, explaining that the violence in his stories, and subsequently the show, isn’t there for its own sake, but has a historical basis. He also notes that the violence depicted in the TV series sometimes differs from that in the books, a decision he has nothing to do with.

“The books reflect a patriarchal society based on the Middle Ages. The Middle Ages were not a time of sexual egalitarianism,” Martin tells the magazine. “It was very classist, dividing people into three classes. And they had strong ideas about the roles of women. One of the charges against Joan of Arc that got her burned at the stake was that she wore men’s clothing — that was not a small thing.” 

Martin continues, “There were, of course, some strong and competent women. It still doesn’t change the nature of the society. And if you look at the books, my heroes and viewpoint characters are all misfits. They’re outliers. They don’t fit the roles society has for them. They’re cripples, bastards, and broken things — a dwarf, a fat guy who can’t fight, a bastard, and women who don’t fit comfortably into the roles society has for them (though there are also those who do — like Sansa and Catelyn).”

Martin also addresses the critics who may dismiss that argument, saying his books are fantasy, so he can do whatever he likes. “Just because you put in dragons doesn’t mean you can put in anything you want,” Martin says.

“…I wanted my books to be strongly grounded in history and to show what medieval society was like, and I was also reacting to a lot of fantasy fiction,” he adds.

Martin goes on to add many female fans of the books come up to him and say they admire his female characters. “There are still barriers against women. It’s better than what it was. It’s not Mad Men any more, which was in my lifetime,” he says.

As for scenes some viewers claim depict rape, Martin says it’s always been a byproduct of war — one that has never gone away. “Rape, unfortunately, is still a part of war today. It’s not a strong testament to the human race, but I don’t think we should pretend it doesn’t exist,” he says.

The next-to-last episode of this season of Game of Throne airs HBO Sunday at 9 p.m. Eastern.

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