East vs. West in Game of Thrones: Unpacking Edward Said’s Orientalism in the Fantasy World

This article examines the way that Eastern and Western Cultures are represented in the TV show Game of Thrones (2007-2019), through the lens of Edward Said's work on Orientalism. Although Game of Thrones is a fantasy TV show that takes place in fictional continents of Westeros and Essos, it has created a clear distinction between the Civilized West and the Exotic East. In many ways, this dichotomy reflects the Orientalist framework that Said identifies in his book Orientalism. The author of this article will argue that the East is portrayed by Game of Thrones as an Exotic, Mysterious and Often Dangerous Other, as opposed to the Western ideals of Order, Power and Morality. Through an examination of the representation of Essos and specifically Daenerys Targaryen's interaction with the Dothraki and other Eastern cultures, the article will critically evaluate how the show reinforces traditional Orientalist tropes, while at the same time subverts them through acts of resistance and complexities. Overall, the author of this article will conclude that Game of Thrones uses the Orientalist framework to both reflect colonial histories, and to prompt viewers to consider what it means to be culturally imperialistic, to have power and to create and maintain one's identity in today's world.