This blog is published in conjunction with our special exhibit Level Up: Writers & Gamers, on display now. Experience the magic of game writing and worldbuilding in an interactive setting!
Writing, and especially game writing, is a form of magic. Writers give us stories, and players level them up by filling in the blank spaces with their actions. No other form is quite as interactive or collaborative. With this in mind, the AWM has teamed up with Wiki of Thrones to bring you some insights into the magic and mythmaking of George R.R. Martin’s iconic fantasy series. Game writers and designers use many of these same literary tactics as novelists, and also leave space for the player to contribute to the storyline.
Read on to learn more about magic and myth in Game of Thrones, then explore our new immersive exhibit and become part of the story yourself. Join the adventure of Level Up: Writers & Gamers today!
Written by the staff of Wiki of Thrones
There’s a reason why shows like Game of Thrones and House of the Dragon remain etched in people’s memories for years after they go off air. Their enigmatic quality exudes mystery and an otherworldly emotion cannot be replicated that easily. Based on the bestselling books by visionary author George R.R. Martin, the stories stray away from reality and build a world on elements like magic and myth.
Unlike traditional fantasy where magic is often an overt and ubiquitous force, Martin’s approach to sorcery is subtle. He uses historical, cultural, and mythical elements to enhance the narrative’s depth and realism. This further adds an inexplicable element to the events of the story, making the story more mysterious and thrilling. How else would you describe Jon Snow coming back to life after being stabbed repeatedly? The final product is glorious, as we can all see, and one that tugs at our heartstrings to dive deeper and know more.
The Nature of Magic in Westeros and Essos
Magic is a mysterious and continually feared element in A Song of Ice and Fire. Inhabitants of Westeros perceive magic as an alien force that disrupts the routine workings of the masses. All great authors know that the best kind of writing is when you lead the reader to make their own perceptions rather than pointedly guiding them toward a direction. Martin uses the same approach to let the readers understand the repercussions of magic rather than directing its straightforward application. The powerful force is largely absent in the first few seasons, mainly to establish the story first and then introduce elements that evoke mystery.
A remnant of a bygone age, it’s difficult for the people of Westeros to view magic in a positive light. The common term used in this sense is black magic. A prime example of this is the Red Priestess who uses her powers in sorcery to kill Renly Baratheon and assert Stannis’s claim to the throne. Characters such as Eddard Stark and Jon Snow are grounded in practical reality and view tales of magic with distrust.
As the story progresses, magical events become more commonplace in realization rather than depiction. The birth of Daenerys Targaryen’s dragons is seen as sorcery since their kind has been unseen in the world for a long time. This marks the return of magic to a world that had long forgotten about it and foreshadows Daenerys’s rise to power.
Martin’s imagery of magic is informed by its unpredictable nature and high cost. Readers are familiar with magic that reveals itself as a regular part of the world as seen in J.K. Rowling’s Harry Potter or Brandon Sanderson’s Mistborn. However, Martin uses magic as a destructive force that leads to unlikely events in A Song of Ice and Fire. Practitioners sometimes pay a high cost, as seen by characters like Melisandre, whose use of shadow-binding exhausts her physically and spiritually.
Myth and Legend: The Foundation of Magic
Another thread binding the past, the present, and the future of Westeros are the stories that are passed down from generation to generation. The people in Martin’s fictitious world are superstitious and unwilling to accept change. Once a story permeates their lives, they believe it to be true even though every shred of proof says otherwise. Targaryens might not view their dragons as close to them as the common folk hold their myths and legends.
Another important myth that contributes to the series’ magical foundation is the legend of the Long Night and the White Walkers. Many consider these old legends to be mere mythology, yet as the series develops, they are revealed to be rooted in reality. The reappearance of the White Walkers and the menace they represent underscore the cyclical nature of history in Martin’s universe, where history is meant to repeat itself and so the wheel of time keeps turning.
The Cost and Consequences of Magic
There are repercussions associated with magic in A Song of Ice and Fire. Heroes who use sorcery frequently pay a heavy price in terms of their health, morals, or emotions. It is demonstrated, for example, that the practice of blood magic is especially risky and ethically questionable. The danger and unpredictability of such power are demonstrated by Daenerys’s use of blood magic to save Khal Drogo, which leaves him in a vegetative condition and causes the loss of her unborn child.
Another example of the darker side of sorcery is provided by the faceless men of Braavos, who engage in death magic. The moral ramifications of Arya Stark’s training with the faceless men are called into question as she is forced to give up her identity and accept death as a tool. Her experience highlights the exploration throughout the series.
The shadow-binding magic used by Melissandre involves creating shadow assassins at the cost of her own health and well-being, further highlighting the physical toll that magic exacts on its users. Her faith in her abilities and her god drives her to extreme measures, often with devastating consequences for those around her.
The Interplay of Magic and Politics
Martin’s society has a complex relationship between magic and politics. The return of sorcery affects important events and choices as well as the distribution of power. The Battle of Blackwater Bay and the way Lannisters use wildfire as a tactic demonstrate how even the realists of the story cannot ignore the potential magic holds. Tyrion Lannister’s choice to use wildfire against Stannis Baratheon’s fleet serves as an example of how deadly and effective it is to combine magic with military strategy. This combination of magic and politics emphasizes the series’ theme, which is power’s complex nature.
Deep issues of identity, fate, and the cyclical nature of history are explored in Martin’s work through its characters, legends, and the fallout from using magical power. The intricacy and depth of magic’s influence on Westeros’ and Essos’ destiny throughout the story captivate readers.
Now, it’s your turn.
What sort of magic will you discover in Level Up: Writers & Gamers? Plan your visit today!
