HBO took George R.R. Martin’s famous book series, Game of
Thrones and made a television series. The show and book series have a ‘Dungeons
and Dragons’ theme to the storyline and consists of various characters that can
be compared to numerous ones in Njal’s Saga. Both consist of feuds that
turn bloody, powerful women murderers, and honorable men that have their honor get
them destroyed. It is interesting to see how the two follow similar paths in
plot. Certain characters featured in Game
of Thrones are the Starks (Ned Stark and Arya Stark), the Lannisters (Cersei
Lannister), Daenerys, and Littlefinger. These mentioned characters unintentionally
reflect the Njalssons, the Sigfussons, Hoskuld Thrainsson, the burning at
Bergthoshvol, Hallgerd, and Bergthora. While some of these merely compare to
conflicts and events, some characters follow a similar archetype to that of the
other. These similarities are important to hold into consideration because they
can provide a deeper understanding of the text and pop culture.
The Starks and The
Lannisters
The Starks are a prominent family within Game of Thrones.
Throughout the series, the Starks act as the protagonists within the story.
They have a hostile feud with the Lannisters that last throughout all seasons
and books, much like the Njalssons and Sigfussons do in Njal’s Saga. The
Lannisters are also a prestigious family within the series, and primarily act as
antagonists. This strife between the two lead to great bloodshed and numerous conflicts.
Ned Stark
Ned Stark is a main character in the first book and season
in GOT and his most noticeable character trait is his honor. He is known for being
an honorable man, and always trying to do the right thing. No reader or viewer
can deny that he is innocent of any bloodshed or any feud, and this innocence,
this honor of his, is what led him to his unfortunate and undeserving death.
This can be compared to the murder of Hoskuld Thrainsson, whom is also innocent
and undeserving.
Arya Stark
Arya Stark is one of Ned Stark’s daughters who begins the
show as a defenseless girl who refuses to be a damsel and later turns herself
into a weapon of destruction. Her ruthlessness and gift of grudge-holding
reminds us of Bergthora. Berthora arranges six killings in revenge while Arya
kills for revenge as well.
Littlefinger
Littlefinger is a character as well in GOT. His clever mind
sets feuds and murder into motion through his persuading words and gossip. Mord
Valgardsson spreads enough gossip to get Hoskuld Thrainsson killed just as Littlefinger
gets Ned Stark executed.
Cersei
Lannister
Cersei Lannister is introduced to readers
and viewers as Queen of the Seven Kingdoms (the setting in GOT). Her first
husband, King Robert Baratheon, was physically abusive to her. While Cersei is
not a moral woman to begin with, she was still a victim of domestic abuse.
Because of this, and many other plotlines, she murders her husband. This makes
us recall Hallgerd and her reasoning for not giving her husband a hair for his
bow, eventually leading to extreme bloodshed, all because he hit her.
Daenerys
Daenerys is another powerful
female figure in GOT. She acts as a born leader, survivor, and fighter. She is
made to be a protagonist; however, in recent episodes she burns two innocent
men alive, despite her advisor’s heeding. She does so irrationally and to
demonstrate her power. This relates to the burning at Bergthorshvol because
both were unjustifiable actions/events.
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