Through the feminist lens: Game of Thrones characters

That time of the year is here again. Stock your refrigerator with margaritas, coolers and some fresh summer snacks. Once again, the world is getting ready for the most popular epic drama series of our times, an adaptation of the Book Series 'A Song of Ice and Fire' by George RR Martin. The sixth season of Game of Thrones begins on April 24.

The Series, though a slight deviation from the course of events, has some very well presented, interesting characters, each with different layers that makes them loveable and abhorrent at different points in the show.

Here are a few characters and their stories from the show, that we found strong and inspiring:

Arya Stark

She is the gender bender on the show. Defying stereotypical gender norms, this one is a better archer than her brother Bran, unladylike and unkempt, naturally righteous. Her best friend is her sword 'needle'. Hardened by life, she epitomises the feminist who learnt her way around the man's world by way of lack of personal 'femininity'.

Masie Williams, who is now 18 years old, shares her insights on feminist with HuffPost( Pic Courtesy: HuffPost)

Sansa Stark

( Sansa Stark is also rumoured to be the bastard child of Peter Baelish and Catelyn Tully (Pic Courtesy: Wetpaint.com)

Been through hell and keeping strong- that's what women are all about. She started wanting the fairytale life where she was promised to the prince for marriage. Soon she is hit with reality, the same man has her father beheaded right before her eyes, after which first she is promised to him and later married to his 'imp' uncle. She ends up marrying and being raped by the most brutal character on the show, she has seen the worst form of oppression through her teen years, making her role the most anticipated on the show. Her transition from an oppressed, unaware and dependent child to this independent girl fighting for survival in the wild has been remarkable. She is back home in Winterfell now, let's see what new this season brings for her.

Tyrion Lannister

Tyrion Lannister creates great acceptance identity ( Pic Courtesy: quotesville)

He is the midget who fell in love with a prostitute but had to marry Sansa Stark to meet his father's political ambitions. Unlike everyone else, he treats her gently and doesn't force her to consummate the marriage. He doesn't hurt Cercie, despite her despicable behavior towards him. He has now found refuge with Daenerys of house Targaryen, where he will emerge as a key advisor. Respectful to the rightful, Tyrion truly is the male feminist on the show, who also regularly keeps asserting the importance of knowledge more than education.

Daenerys 'Stormborn' Targaryen 

"One can rule with wealth or fear or love", said Taiwin Lannister, father of Tyrion, Cercie and Jamie. 

'Valar Morghulis'

Mother of dragons, breaker of chains, khaleesi of the dothraki, she is the ruler who has taken the route of love and now has a decent amount of wealth, while her dragons help her. However her journey wasn't that simple. Her own brother used her to make his claim to the throne, she was forcefully married and raped by a Dothraki beast. She used her weaknesses and turned them into strength, making her rapist husband kill her abusive brother. She now rules major kingdoms across the narrow sea and has accumulated a decent army to attack Kings Landing. With Ser Barristan dead, Ser Jorah abandoned and a new partnership in Tyrion who knows the capital too well,  she might actually end up burning the White Walkers with her dragons and eventually ruling the seven kingdoms.

Oberyn Martell

Oberyn Martell, Prince of Dorne ( Pic Courtesy: Tumblr)

My favorite line of him from the show is when the Prince of Dorne, Oberyn Martell says, "Anybody who has sex with just man or woman is completely missing out on the other half." Queer, artistic and a fine swordsman, he responds to Cersei's concerns for her daughter (who is at Dorne) says "We don't hurt little girls at Dorne." Respectful, charming and outgoing, he is one hell of a character!

These are a few of our favourites, but you might have your own. We will see what course these characters chart out, as the season progresses. So get ready with your popcorn!