Perceived "otherness," Female Agency, and Reversed Gender Roles

While this may be applying a Victorian era viewpoint to the novel, one can assume that marriage was used as a means of creating familiar ties to strengthen political/social status and keep money or power appropriately allocated, which can be seen through the marriage of Khal Drogo and Daenerys Targaryen. As is mentioned in the novel, Targaryens typically married strictly within the family, brother and sister. Yet in an attempt to regain the 7 kingdoms that the Targaryens once ruled, Daenerys’ older brother Viserys marries her to the Dothraki prince to establish allies. And while Dany had little to no say in the final decision, marriage has long been a vehicle for women to assert what little female agency they possessed. Through marriage, a woman could rise in the ranks of class and gain more powerful positions in society. And while this is not discussed in the sections of the book we have read for class, in the GOT HBO adaptation, we know that Dany goes on the use the power she receives through her marriage and of course those dragon eggs, to reclaim the land once ruled by her family. Yet it is interesting in the portrayal of the Dothraki people and Khal as the perceived “other” creates a reversal of standard gender roles, which facilitates Dany’s female agency.

There are multiple mentions throughout Daenerys’ early chapters of her light skin, violet eyes, and long silver hair which starkly contrasts with that of the appearance of Khal Drogo’s with his long braid “as dark as midnight and heavy with scented oil, hung with tiny bells that rang softly as he moved (Martin 30). The contrast of lightness and darkness creates a sense of sin versus purity, which is reminiscent of the familiar savage versus civilized trope which is also represented in the marriage of Constance to the Muslim Sultan in “A Man Of Laws Tale.”

Before Dany and Khal Drogo wed, she is very frightened of him, unable to communicate through a common language; he thus remains a mysterious and unknown threat. On their wedding night, 12 men are killed, as a mark of celebration, which we can assume from Dany’s reaction, was not a widely received notion. On page 28, when speaking of the Dothraki people, Viserys states “ the savages have queer tastes. Boys, horses, sheep…” and while we discussed in class that there was no concept of homosexuality during the time, it's implied here that was a behavior different from the “norm.” The Dothraki in this initial description seem to be barbarous and animalistic, lesser beings to that of the Targaryens, which creates a sense of otherness. However, after the wedding ceremony, when the two are to consummate the marriage, Khal reveals a more affectionate side, and his description is changed to features that are seemingly more female, with his long flowing hair and gentle caresses.

To make a long something that needs more explanation short, by portraying Khal Drogo as first barbarous and beastly and then effeminate: typical factors commonly used for subordinating “others,” Daenerys asserts her dominance and finds female agency through the power of marriage.