The Shakespearean Ending of Game of Thrones
By Lauren Swall
THE BITTERSWEET ENDING—TRAGEDY OR HISTORY?
With the influence of Shakespearean tragedy and history interwoven throughout Game of Thrones, it makes sense that the series finale would present a blend of endings typical to both these genres.
A Shakespearean tragedy evokes images of a bloody, catastrophic final act, a corpse-strewn stage with many major characters dead and often only secondary characters left to monologue and sweep up the ashes. Indeed, a few major characters die in the final episodes of Game of Thrones; Daenerys, Cersei, and Jaime most prominent among them.
In particular, Daenerys’ death at the hands of Jon evokes imagery from a few Shakespearean climaxes: Romeo holding Juliet for the last time, Brutus betraying Caesar with “the unkindest cut of all,” and Macduff vanquishing Macbeth, a man blinded by ambition and prophecy.
Had Game of Thrones been a true tragedy, it would have ended shortly after Dany’s death. But plenty of main characters lingered on to deliver the sweetness of the bittersweet ending—which, in form, is reminiscent of a history drama conclusion.
A Shakespearean history typically ends with political union and compromise. The end of Henry V sees a negotiation for peace between France and England. King Henry allows Prince Charles to keep his crown, but marries his daughter Princess Catherine so that their child may inherit France.
No political marriages took place in the Game of Thrones series finale, but a King was chosen and so was a Queen (in the North). In addition, the lords and ladies paramount agreed to an elective monarchy to determine future rulers. And so Game of Thrones leaves the audience with a sense of moving forward, apropos and circular for a book series which begins with the words “We should start back.”
Of course, there are many other genre influences in A Song of Ice and Fire and Game of Thrones. The series has deep fantasy roots, and Lord of the Rings parallels abound in the final episode. Perhaps most notably, the destruction of the Iron Throne seems visually and thematically similar to the destruction of the One Ring.
However, the unique blend of Shakespearean tragedy and history plays a significant role in what makes the story so compelling and even timeless. The tragic model shows relatable characters, their inner struggles and emotions amplified to theatrical heights. The historical drama model vaults these characters into a world beyond themselves, their conflicted hearts nested within the greater conflicts of the realm, a reflection of ourselves in our own world.
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Hundreds of years from now, will George R. R. Martin’s series hold a lasting place in classic literature alongside Shakespeare’s plays? An ambitious question, but only time will tell. In any case, a story that captures the human condition and holds a mirror to the world has the potential to endure in the public imagination for a very long time.
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