Ma. Chrisel P.

Maniebo General Ethics/ 1:00-2:00/ MWF

AB Political Science December 6, 2013

Reflection on Game of Thrones

I have known Game of Thrones since its airtime but I never dared to watch it. Maybe
because of the advertisements that I have been watching, the scenes are just too unethical for me.
So watching the whole season one has become a great challenge for me because I am fighting
with my morals and principles to watch it so I can do this paper.

I also know that there is a book and I think (though I havent read the book) the series is
based on it. Until the book becomes moving picture, any moral issues with it doesnt seem to
reach its peak probably because now that everybody can watch it in HBO or download it in
Torrent or in other means possible, there is a wider audience. Basically my first observation was
that GoT has this rule which is Show/look but dont tell is pertinent when it comes to immoral
acts (infidelity, etc.) like if you have seen the act, dont tell anyone what to think about it. And
the fact that the editors/writers/directors those people behind the scene that should tell its
audience that infidelity (just an example) is bad didnt do something about it is something that
leads to many people to actually watch the show.

The actions that the characters are portraying in the series suggest that on the surface,
ethical norms just receives short shrift in the series. The norms which is a collective belief about
the proper behavior of the actors are sometimes (most of the times) invoked and usually used to
regret their violation. So when Ned Stark explains to his son the proper rules governing
executions and it ends with Ned Starks being executed improperly for his gullibility. But one
thing should be taken into the account that much of the characters behavior is in fact rule-
bound. (Where Catelyn could not have captured Tyrion without her father banner-men
following norms of fealty, and Tyrion could not have escaped her grasp had norms of the kings
justice not trumped Lysas desire for an execution and Catelyns desire to retain a hostage) To
me, this all means that even powerful characters sometimes follow rules to their own short-term
detriment and frustration.
The norms in Westeros exert power by creating incentives for certain behaviors and by
defining identities which in turn shape peoples motivation, interests and strategies. By
following the rules and norms of the Nights Watch, ordinary criminals are reconstituted as
protectors of the realm. The distinctive cultural norms surrounding death, sex, travel, etc are
what distinguished it from others and not simply ethnicity. And my realization while watching
the whole series was that power and norms together are what determines outcomes.
Another observation is that the social relations in Westeros are sustained as much through
arranged marriages and promise-keeping as through backstabbing and treachery and the power
of these are only highlighted by their occasional breach. Even the Lords and the Kings are
punished for violating custom and agreement. I remember that Ned and the chivalry he
represented may appear to have been the loser at the end of the season but Joffreys disregard for
basic standards of justice will return to haunt him. So for me the moral of the story is that when
good rules are disregarded, disorder and ruin follows.