SB on Game of Thrones: Blog Entry 13 - Episodes 5.3, 5.4, 5.5, & 5.6 (For 4/19/16)
The “Way” of Thrones
In this blog entry, it will be
argued that this week’s set of assigned Game
of Thrones episodes contained references to the philosophy of Taoism. It will also be suggested that these episodes
implied that Taoism is a good way to understand not only the Game of Thrones universe, but also the
real universe.
Taoism
The
belief system of Taoism was first explicated by Chinese philosopher Lao Tsu in
the Tao Te Ching. As explained in the Tao Te Ching and as discussed by John Bowker in World Religions, “Tao” means “the way”
and the belief system of Taoism involves “going with the flow” of the world,
understanding the impermanence of life, and appreciating nature as a means to
accept that many life events are beyond one’s control. The Tao
Te Ching is not a very long text, contains simple and understandable (yet
extremely aesthetically appealing) language, and provides a deep, humble, and
convincing theory of the meaning of human life.
Taoism in Game of
Thrones
Just
before Tyrion and Jorah were attacked by the stone men at the end of episode
5.5, they were riding down the river in their small boat while having a
philosophical discussion and examining the Valyrian ruins. Tyrion and Jorah discussed how the Valyrians
were a great race of people who made significant contributions and that the
Valyrians suddenly vanished and, in a way, were erased.
Tyrion
and Jorah’s talk about the Valyrians not only reflected Tyrion’s and Jorah’s
personal concerns, but also revolved around the general theme of the impermanent
nature of life. Not only did Tyrion and
Jorah’s discussion revolve around the Taoist idea of accepting change, but this
discussion took place on a river and rivers are crucial symbols in Taoist
philosophy.
In the Tao Te Ching, life and the nature of
existence, in general, were frequently compared to rivers. To summarize, Lao Tsu declared that, like when
dealing with a river, one should not fight the tide of life, but follow the
natural order of things and go with the flow of the river of life. As can be seen, Tyrion and Jorah’s discussion
about the Valyrians seemed to be a brief explication of Taoism because this
talk revolved around the (Taoist) theme of the changing nature of the world and
took place on a river (which is an important symbol of Taoist philosophy).
In the Game of Thrones universe, where life
tends to be quite brutal, it seems that Taoist philosophy might be a reliable
and consistent way to approach an understanding of the nature of things. With all of the major characters being killed
and all of the increased violence and battles in recent episodes, it seems that
a great way to make sense of the Game of
Thrones universe is to accept the changing nature of this world.
Clarification: Argument
for Taoism is Consistent with Arguments from Previous Blogs
In past
blogs, I have asserted that Viking (and other forms of) mythology, rather than
Taoism, might be the most reliable way to understand the Game of Thrones universe.
Even though Viking mythology and Taoism seem like opposites, I hold one
can examine the Game of Thrones universe
through the lenses of both Viking mythology and Taoism without running into
inconsistencies.
I still
believe that the Game of Thrones universe
is heading for its own “Battle of Ragnarok” where, similarly to the universe
of Viking mythology (that was explicated in Else Roesdahl’s The Vikings and Hazel Mary Martell et
al.’s World Myths), the Game of Thrones universe (and all of the
characters in it) will be destroyed.
However, I also believe that Taoism (as clarified by my investigation of
Tyrion and Jorah’s discussion in episode 5.5) is a great way to make sense of
the harsh nature of the Game of Thrones universe.
Further, it seems like Tyrion and
Jorah’s discussion not only explicated that Taoism can be used to understand
the Game of Thrones universe, but
this scene might have also suggested that Taoism is a reliable way to
understand the real world.
Works
Cited
Bowker, John. World Religions. New York, NY: DK
Publishing, Inc., 2006. Print.
Martell, Hazel Mary, et al. World Myths. Florence,
Italy: McRae Books, 2002. Print.
Roesdahl, Else. The Vikings. London, England: Penguin
Books, 1998. Print.
Tsu, Lao. Tao Te Ching. Trans. Gia-Fu Feng & Jane English. New York, NY:
Vintage Books,1997. Print.
Interesting analysis. I think that applying a taoist lens to the series really amplifies the way in which characters need to adapt to the ever changing tides of Westerosi life and politics.
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ReplyDeleteThis is a really cool analysis. As always, you bring an interesting perspective to the show! I really like that you justified your arguments for using taoism and viking mythology. I'm still really interested to see if your prediction about the final battle is right!
ReplyDeleteFascinating - especially the tie of the river as an important piece of symbolism in Taoism. It's definitely clear that much of this GoT world is happenstance and out of anyone's real control. There are so many cogs in the wheel that any one holds only illusionary and momentary power. I wonder, though, if there are any characters that really accept this understanding. It's obvious and there, but do any characters embrace something like Taoism? I think Tyrion may have gotten there ever since his joke of a trial arranged by Cersei and Tywin.
ReplyDeleteIt seems to me that the narrative undercuts any lingering in Taoist philosophy. Sure, Tyrion and Jorah are having a discussion of the transitory quality of human existence, but before they have time to roll a joint and bathe in acceptance of life, a bunch of trolls jump out of the water and begin a life and death battle. It's hard to be philosophical when something is trying to eat you.
ReplyDeleteI suppose when Jorah realizes he has been infected by Gray Scale, he could just end it all--instead he chooses to go on. Is that Taoist?
I was struck by their use of a river because the real action of the episode is that they are traveling along a shore to get to Daenerys--in fact soon after they are captured in a location that looks more like Northern Ireland than ancient Valyrea. Usually in Game of Thrones, characters cross rivers rather than travel down them.
I really did love that scene as it reminded me so much of Willard going up the river in Apocalypse Now.
I think as a whole the impermanence of life is something several characters throughout the show think a lot about. Tywin (when alive) knew he would die but had to maintain a family legacy to leave behind. The gigantic castles and impressive structures could be a way of transcending that impermanence for people.
ReplyDeleteAn interesting connection to Taoism for your blog. I'm curious as to what you would think about the intersection of this with mythology when looking at Catelyn Stark's dad and how they shipped him down the river when he died. Overall, I enjoyed this connection between Taoism and the series as I took a class in undergrad that discussed Taoism. Fascinating ideas that are very existential and make you think. Nice job!
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