Is Games Of Thrones A Climate Apocalypse?
Introduction
The movie series Game of Thrones focuses on a political war between three families, namely the Starks, Baratheons, and Lannisters. All three are fighting to rule over Westeros, thereby ruling over the seven kingdoms. The Targaryen family ruled over Westeros before their ouster, which led to the family fleeing. The dragon flier eventually comes from this family. John Snow is keen on warning about an impending winter that could wipe out the human race. However, everyone is busy fighting for political gains, and the coming catastrophe is ignored (Vilas-Boas). Religious apocalypse, as well as science fiction and social anxiety, are themes the paper seeks to explore in an attempt to understand the nature of the apocalypse portrayed.
Themes
Religious Apocalypse
Religion is depicted in the series through the existence of various gods, such as the faith of the sevens. The lord of the light is also at the center of John Snows coming back to life. The lord of the light is yet another depiction of religion. At the beginning of the series, religion is a central aspect. Witchcraft and sorcery are also used throughout the series. Sorcery and witchcraft consist of religious belief hence the element of religion being brought forth.
Science Fiction and Social Anxieties
Science fiction is also brought forth in the series. The use of aliens and extraterrestrial beings, such as the white walkers are examples of fiction. The dragons used by Khaleesi are also an example of science fiction. The series is themed around a medieval era where seasons prolong for decades in a non-earth planet (Derek). The summer season, for example, is at the brink of an end and in its place the winter season. The winter season is expected to last for a decade, which is fictional as well. Mind control is also used in the training of the dragons that Khaleesi uses to fight. Time travel, telepathy, and telekinesis are all used to travel into the future. Don't use plagiarised sources.Get your custom essay just from $11/page
Social anxiety also comes into play as it is the basis of the series. Anxiety leads to political betrayal and wars as different parties try to grab power. Power, greed, and self-preservation are evident throughout the series. Parties do whatever it takes, including murder, to further their agendas. The killing of Cersei’s husband (Robert) to cover her incestuous relationship is evidence of anxiety. Tyrion has a cunning persona and commits murders, including that of his father. Cersei is equally manipulative and cunning making behind the scenes decisions that have massive effects on the people involved.
Nature of the Apocalypse Portrayed in the Series
The apocalypse portrayed involves both a religious and secular aspect. Religious teachings are clear about the end of the world as humans know it. However, different religions have varying beliefs about how the end will materialize. The depiction of various gods in the series is evident of the different religions that exist in the real world. The cave drawings depicted in the series (Atkinson) could be likened to prehistorical drawings that exist in the real world. Drawings are known to be closely associated with religion. Magic used in the series is similar to supernatural happenings in the spiritual (religious) world.
The secular aspect is brought forth by the upcoming winter, which is feared to wipe out the human race. The takeover of the planet by extraterrestrial beings is also a secular portrayal of the apocalypse. Secular apocalypse, otherwise known as the end of the human race, is deemed to bring about constrained resources such as water and food. Climate change is a modern-day apocalypse threatening the existence of the human race (Romm). In the series, the same is depicted as winter, which will bring about water and food constraints.
Focus is given on other issues such as politics in modern-day and little is given to climate change, which could define the end of the world. A change in climate would affect the very politics that governments are keen about. Climate change is a real threat today, but humans are too ignorant and focused on other issues such as politics and wealth creation. The wall is evidence of the temporary manner in which problems are dealt with (Vilas-Boas). It is evident of a lack of prioritization of critical issues. The end of the world, otherwise known as the apocalypse, would thus find humans unprepared to deal with the catastrophic effects of climate change.
Conclusion
To adequately deal with the impending winter threat, the warring parties have to come together to fight a common enemy. The enemy is higher than the warring families and could signal the end of human existence. It is interesting to note that from the beginning of the series, there is a warning of winter. However, no one seems to take interest as everyone is busy focusing on what they deem essential.
Climate change warnings have continuously been echoed over the years. The melting of the glaciers is evident of the impending climatic danger, as is the army of the dead in the movie. The alien takeover and winter would affect the game of thrones planet as a whole regardless of the kingdoms and parties involved. Climate change is also bound to affect planet earth irrespective of geographical boundaries.
Works Cited
Atkinson, S. “This Crazy Old ‘Game Of Thrones’ Fan Theory Still Holds Up”. Bustle, 2017,
Derek. “Dear Game Of Thrones: Welcome To The Post-Apocalyptic Genre. We’Ve Been
Expecting You.”. Post Apocalyptic Media, 2015, https://www.postapocalypticmedia.com/game-of-thrones-post-apocalyptic/.
Romm, Joe. “Game Of Thrones Is Not About Climate Change After All As HBO Wimps
Out”. Thinkprogress.Org, 2019, https://thinkprogress.org/game-of-thrones-is-not-about-climate-change-after-all-as-hbo-wimps-out-90fc9868065c/.
Vilas-Boas, Eric. “The Case For ‘Game Of Thrones’ As An Epic Fantasy About Climate
Change”. Thrillist, 2019, https://www.thrillist.com/entertainment/nation/game-of-thrones-ending-climate-change-global-warming.