George R.R. Martin says he doesn't think 'Game of Thrones' is more 'anti-woman' than history
Jon Kopaloff/FilmMagic
- George R.R. Martin says he doesn't think his books are more misogynistic than real life.
- The "Game of Thrones" author was asked why Westeros was against having a woman as its ruler.
- Speaking at San Diego Comic-Con, he said "House of the Dragon" is based on historical events.
"Game of Thrones" creator George R.R. Martin said that he doesn't think that his stories are any more misogynistic than real life or history.
The original HBO series, based on Martin's books, was hit with multiple criticisms of sexism and misogyny due to the way female characters were often treated as sexual objects in the show.
While the spinoff series "House of the Dragon" appears to have less gratuitous sex, the story centers on a civil war that erupts in Westeros to stop a woman, Princess Rhaenyra Targaryen, from leading the country.
During a panel for the new series at San Diego Comic-Con Saturday, Martin said that the plot echoes how women were kept out of leadership roles in real history.
"I don't think Westeros is particularly more anti-woman or more misogynistic than real life and what we call history," Martin said, according to Entertainment Weekly.
He added: "I get inspiration from history, and then I take elements from history and I turn it up to 11.' Games of Thrones' is, as many people have observed, based very loosely on the War of the Roses. [House of the Dragon] is based on an earlier period in history called the Anarchy."
The Anarchy was a civil war in England that erupted when King Henry I left his daughter to claim the throne, which is similar to how the civil war starts in "House of the Dragon."
Emilia Clarke has also hit back at criticism of sexism against "Game of Thrones" in the past.
She told Entertainment Weekly in 2016: "It pains me to hear people taking 'Thrones' out of context with anti-feminist spin — because you can't do that about this show. It shows the range that happens to women, and ultimately shows women are not only equal but have a lot of strength."
"House of the Dragon" premieres on August 21 on HBO and HBO Max.