Power is something that we all desire, but how it’s interpreted can differ. Power is defined differently by different people. Another person might define power as brute force, while someone else may see it as the capability to affect change. It’s usually a negative emotion that is brought on by the desire to control other people, but this can sometimes be used in a positive way.
It is a common practice in the human race to create personalities that reflect our characteristics. This happens subconsciously. It is a common practice to create characters that reflect our own thoughts, feelings and ideas. Characters that have emotional appeal to us can be used as an example. HBO’s Game of Thrones, an epic medieval fantasy, revolves around the battle for the iron throne of Westeros. Game of Thrones features archetypal character types that reflect our past and personal desire for power. One of the wealthiest and most influential families in the world, they rule Casterly Rock. This castle is built on a rock face near the ocean. Tywin Lannister is the head of family and Lord of Casterly Rock. Cersei Jamie Tyrion are his children. Each Lannister values human life less than their desire for more power. Cersei wants power to fulfill her personal ambitions. She has killed countless people in her quest to become queen. Qyburn was given innocents whom Cersei deemed to be her enemies. He performs horrifying surgeries on his subjects, including mutilation. Cersei is doing this in order to gain Qyburn’s influence and surround herself, therefore, with servants who are obedient. She shows how the desire for power is evil. But, one has to ask if it must be. Do we have the same morals as Lannister, or can it be different?
Cersei, on the other hand, has a more ferocious desire than Daenerys, who wants to dismantle the oppressive system that is in place within Westeros. It includes slavery, corruption and even prostitution. Her experiences with corrupt and evil leaders have made her hate those who exploit others. Visery, Daenery’s brother, arranged for her marriage to a warlord named Khal Drogo. He fervently stated that he was willing to let Khal Doctoro’s entire (30 thousand-strong) tribe rape Daenery if Visery could control Khal’s Army. She is determined to ‘break wheel’. The wheel refers the power culture that currently exists, whereby the powerful exploit the weak. Daenerys has lived through the inhumane culture and wants to eradicate it. As a powerful leader, Daenerys cripples Westeros slavery societies. She leads a campaign to emancipate the slaves in Slaver’s Bay. She wants to liberate those who are oppressed.
We are constantly confronted with the power dynamics, the good and the bad in our everyday lives. It’s possible that we are not aware of it, like I am. My daily battles with my parents and other authority figures are power struggles. I compare my mother’s demands for excellence in academics to Cersei, who is indifferent to what I sacrifice, including my social life or hobbies, hobbies, or sleep. The desire of my mother to control me leads to constant disagreements. Cersei wants to be the queen, but it will bring many to their death. Daenerys, on the other hand, wants to be the queen and this will liberate many.
In conclusion, power can be defined simply as the ability of someone to exert control over another. This control is used in a variety of ways. We can see in fiction the effects of power lust. Does it mean we’re just beasts who exploit the less fortunate for our own benefit, or are we messianics with compassion and empathy? I believe compassion is a natural trait in humans. We must not allow our desires to control our actions.
