Creating the Blog for "Possible" use during my EPQ

Having being told today that there is a way to submit a blog instead of the 5000 word essay, I thought it was about time to create a blogger account. Considering my EPQ is about Game of Thrones, I thought It would be necessary to use a blog where I can embed clips of the TV series from YouTube if need be, as well as Images and other digital content.

EPQ Topic

After having the initial discussion with my Supervisor, I have decided that I will either be looking at "how Women are portrayed throughout the Game of Thrones TV Series" or "If characters from the Game of Thrones TV Series reflect a part of British History". Some Characters that I could focus on include Cersei Lannister and Daenerys Targaryen.

Cersei Lannister (above image) 

Picture from: http://gameofthrones.wikia.com/wiki/Cersei_Lannister

Decision of Topic

The Choice of Topic for my EPQ was quite difficult to decide. I wanted to have a topic that could explore the entire series of Game of Thrones - not just one Series/Area of the succesful Show. With discussions to still take place with my Supervisor, it looks like I might focus on the following topic: Do Characters within the TV Series reflect a part of British History.

I still believe that the portrayal of women is an important topic, so I have still done a little bit of research and review of how I believe women are portrayed in the TV Series:

Throughout the Game of Thrones TV Series, there are many different women that have a huge impact on the different factions throughout Westeros. These women have different backgrounds and circumstances that promotes their inner character and strong presence in this show. These women have been carefully constructed by George R.R Martin so people can suggest that the way women are portrayed in the Game of Thrones TV Series is acceptable and understandable. Obviously with the fact that not all women are portrayed as royal, polite and socially acceptable in the TV Series (such as Shae), other watchers may argue that the way that Women are Portrayed in Game of Thrones is unacceptable and can not be used to judge women.

Image from: http://www.paperdroids.com/2013/04/18/the-women-of-game-of-thrones-cersei-lannister/

A small list of women that I believe has a strong presence in the Game of Thrones TV Series include:

Cersei Lannister

Catelyn Stark

Sansa Stark

Arya Stark 

Osha

Brienne 

Daenerys Targaryen

Image from: http://www.comicvine.com/arya-stark/4005-81208/

Introduction (start here if you do not know what Game of Thrones is)

Game of Thrones is a televised Drama created by David Benioff and D.B Weiss based on the book series "A song of ice and fire" written by George R.R. Martin. The first book "Game of Thrones" was published on August 6th,  1996 (1).

The series of books are not finished yet, so there may be a point where the T.V series catches up with the Books.

The story of Game of Thrones mainly revolves around the 7 Kingdoms in the fictional continent of Westeros. These Kingdoms are run by different Houses, each of which are powerful in their own right.

These Houses are united under a single King, despite their different views and objectives. 

The Pilot episode aired on April 17th 2011 (2) and the series has continued up to now, and series four is currently in production (20/11/13) and is expected to be aired next year. Each episode runs for an average of 60 minutes. 

When I originally started watching Game of Thrones , I watched it using the DVD's in the Boxsets. As a personal opinion, I do believe it is the best TV series I have ever watched, closely followed by other American Series such as "Breaking Bad" and "24". 

The Game of Thrones  TV series has been the winner of over 40 awards, and the series has even won a Golden Globe.

For my Extended Project Qualification, I am going to discuss whether or not characters from Game of Thrones can be compared to famous Historical Figures from British History. I will be posting my research on this blog and will complete a presentation next year. 

For research, I will look at British Historical Figures such as Winston Churchill, and Guy Fawkes. I will try to compare these British Historical Figures to characters from the the TV series. I will also use the TV series for research. 

If you have not seen any form of video for Game of Thrones, watch this trailer here: 

http://youtu.be/BpJYNVhGf1s

(1) http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/A_Song_of_Ice_and_Fire
(2) http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0944947/ 

Character 1 Comparison: Cersei Lannister and Elizabeth Woodville

 

(http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/1/19/ElizabethWoodville.JPG) - Image of Elizabeth Woodville

(http://images.wikia.com/gameofthrones/images/archive/f/ff/20120518000504!Cersei_2x01b.jpg) - Image of Cersei Lannister


Cersei Lannister is one of the most important characters in the Game of Thrones Series, she has many characteristics and personalities that make her a vital character to the story line. Cersei can be compared to many different historical figures throughout British History, due to her many characteristics that can be identified from the beginning of the TV series.

In episode 1 of the first series, she can be seen as quite shy, and paranoid (of which she has plenty of reason to be cautious; with her affair with Jaime, her brother) compared to Cersei later on in the series. 

Throughout the episode (1), you can see the rage building up within Cersei from such acts from Robert (Cersei's husband) involving prostitutes (often known as "whores" in the series). This rage building up can be a major cause for Cersei's attitude and personality later on in the series.

There are many different historical figures of British history that Cersei can be Compared to, including Elizabeth Woodville and Margaret of Anjou.

For this Comparison, I will be Comparing Cersei Lannister to Elizabeth Woodville.

Elizabeth Woodville was born in Northamptonshire in the early 15th Century (2). Elizabeth - like Cersei was born in to a wealthy family (like the Lannisters). Her father was a highly regarded knight (like Tywin Lannister) and her mother was well known in the crown. Elizabeth's mother would often be first lady in the country as the King's wife had died. This can be compared to Cersei's mother, who would of been well known in the crown, due to the fact that the King would be in debt to the Lannisters.

Elizabeth, like Cersei, was well known around the lands, for her Beauty, which is the reason why Edward IV married her - a Commoner. In Game of Thrones, Cersei was never classed as a Commoner, but she does worry and care like a commoner would do, about her children, and protecting the world against her dark secrets.

As the Series carries on, Cersei's attitude and personality changes, in Episode 2, Cersei seems less shy around the Starks.

There is obvious tension between Robert (The King) and Cersei as seen throughout the series. This can be compared to the fact that Edward IV married Elizabeth Woodville, only for her looks, and they married in secret, as she was the widow of a Lancastrian Nobleman. The Comparison can continue, as Robert only married Cersei for political stability - both Kings married their wives for their own gain.

As Elizabeth was involved with the War of the Roses, a comparison can be made to the houses of Westeros.  Elizabeth was involved with the House of York - obviously similar to how Cersei is involved with the House of Lannister. The fact that as the series goes on, the tensions between the Lannisters and the Starks eventually lead to a civil war, can definitely be compared to the War of the Roses - Both wars contained different Houses fighting for the throne.

In the War of the Roses, the House of Lancaster (which could be compared to the House of Stark) won. The Last major battle at Bosworth Field ended with the Lancastrians Victorious. (3)

 Although I have not read all the books from George R.R. Martin, this could show who the winner between the Lannisters and the Starks would be. Although there is evidence that George R.R Martin based Game of Thrones of the History of the War of the Roses ( "Martin has admitted he was inspired by the Wars of the Roses from 1455 to 1485" (4)) as far as I am up to date with the story of Game of Thrones, there is no indication that the  Starks will win - but there is definitely hope for them, after the unfortunate events of the "Red Wedding" (click link to see the Red Wedding)

To Conclude, Cersei and Elizabeth were both fortunate to be born into wealthy families, which would result with them both marrying Kings. They were both powerful women, Cersei more so, being the Queen Reagent, and both fought for what they believed.

(1) Episode 1, Series 1 of "Game of Thrones"
(2) http://www.luminarium.org/encyclopedia/woodville.htm
(3) http://web.cn.edu/kwheeler/War_of_Roses.html
(4) http://io9.com/10-sources-that-george-r-r-martin-borrowed-from-for-ic-511679817

Character 2 Comparison - Robb Stark and Richard 1st

Robb Stark, one of the most popular characters from the series, can be described as many things; brave, strong, forgiving and many other positive adjectives. Robb Stark, like Cersei seems to change throughout the Game of Thrones TV Series, although in my opinion, he seems to change not as much as Cersei.

At the beggining of Series One, Robb appears to be a bright man, who cares much for his family - the starks. He cares dearly for his younger brother Bran especially after *Bran's fall. Robb loves his family, and this is clearly shown, when Bran runs into trouble and is held with a knife to his throat in episode 6 of the first series. Robb is very much like his father, Ned, and shares many of Ned's characteristics, such as his honor. Robb cares for John, knowing full well he is Ned's bastard. It is this great personality of Robb that makes him a popular character in the Game of Thrones fan community. 

*Bran's fall - http://youtu.be/f9I_eCCEl8k?t=1m27s 

Robb Stark. Source: http://protagonist.wikia.com/wiki/Robb_Stark 

For this comparison, I will compare Robb Stark to Richard I (Lion Heart)

Like Robb, Richard the First was born into a well known and powerful family (2)  although unlike Robb, Richard was born the son of Henry the second (King of England 1154-1189) (1). Both were trained young and both had considerable military training (sword skills etc). 

Robb Stark like Richard I, fought with his family, for similar but different reasons; Robb Stark fought with his family and their soldiers against the Lannisters. On the other hand, Richard I joined his family in a rebelion against his father. 

The Starks rebelion was caused by the death of Robb's father, where as Richard the 1st's rebellion was against his father - similar but different. 

Both fought for a cause that many people believed in, and hence had many followers, but both champions died very similarly. (If you have not seen Series 3, continue only if you want) Richard 1 was killed by a crossbow. In comparison, during the events of the red wedding in Series 3, Robb was shot (but not killed) by a crossbow. Robb found his end via a different method. 

Throughout the series, it is implied that religion is as important to the people in the Game of Thrones universe as it was to the people of the medieval ages.

Both Richard I and Robb Stark were what you could consider as religious. Robb Stark believed in the Old Gods, where as Richard I was a strong Roman Catholic. 

You could compare Richard I's involvement in the Third Crusade and the rebellion against his father (Henry II) with Robb Stark's in the rebellion against the Lannisters. 

Robb Stark was the main man in the rebellion against the Lannisters, and from the following clip, you can see how strong this character is!: 

YouTube Clip of Robb Stark discussing terms with the Lannisters!

Richard the first was the central Christian Commander during the Third Crusade. He fought with other European Leaders to reconquer the "Holy Land" from Saladin. Richard I and the other European Leaders successfully took back Acre and Jaffa, and reversed many of Saladin's conquests. But, they were unsuccessful in taking back Jerusalem.  This can be compared with the story of Game of Thrones, of which Robb and the Starks were excellent on the Battlefield, and defeated many of the Lannister's Soldiers, but was not able to finally defeat the Lannisters. The Lannisters were successful in taking out Robb, and many of the Starks Soldiers. This put an end to the Stark's Rebellion and Tywin Lannister won another war! 

I do believe that George R.R. Martin did use Richard I as an inspiration for the character of Robb Stark and I think that Richard I was a good historical figure to base a character off. 

(1) Information on Richard 1st from http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Richard_I_of_England
(2) Information on Robb Stark from "Game of Thrones" TV Series by HBO

Just a little information on the actors!

In this bit, I am going to talk a little about the actual actors who play character from Game of Thrones. I believe the choice in actors is important for the show, and especially where they come from. As I am comparing Characters from Game of Thrones to British Historical Figures, I do believe it is important that the Character I am to compare are portrayed by British Actors. But this is not always the case....

    (1)

From my research of 16 major characters of the series, I have found that the majority of these actors are British. I do believe this is important, as although George R.R. Martin is American, it is shown that a lot of the story can be compared to British History (especially the Medieval Period).  Don't get me wrong, I think Peter Dinklage is one of the better actors of the series. He is absolutely brilliant, especially his speech at his trial (see below) and he is American, I just believe to keep it as medieval as possible, choosing British or European actors is best! (Just my opinion though!) 

Peter Dinklage and his fantastic acting at Tyrion's Trial!

(1) Information on actors nationalities from http://www.imdb.com/