Daenerys and the Dothraki

Daenerys and the Dothraki

by Deleted user -
Number of replies: 4

The Dothraki are very important in the Game of Thrones storyline. They are obviously feared by those in Westeros, which we see when Robert Baratheon is adamant that Daenerys must die. They are also Daenerys's second home. They are also her protectors. She has been welcomed into the community as the Khaleesi and is respected as Khal Drogo's wife. This causes some anger and fury in her borther, who lashes out as an important ceremony, ultimately leading to his death. This shows how protective the Dothraki are of their leaders. It is also important for Daenerys to have the support of the Khalisaar to show those who wish her harm that she is well protected.

The East and West comes into play when Robert is talking about killing the girl. Ned states that she isn't a threat, but Robert is very concerned about a Targaryen having a "Dothraki Hoard" and potentially leading the Dothraki to the kingdom gates. This is also the binding of the two regions. Without Daenerys, there really isn't a tie between Westeros and Essos. She is the one originally from Westeros that is now serving as a leader in Essos, and posing a threat to Westeros in the King's eyes.

Overall, Daenerys's story is my favorite in the first season because there is such character building and we get to compare where she started out to the person she grows to be. 

In reply to Deleted user

Re: Daenerys and the Dothraki

by Morgan Holmes -
Daenerys' storyline is also my favorite so far. I find the perception of the Dothraki by those in Westeros interesting because the Dothraki are not really seen as a threat until Daenerys is leading them because they refuse to cross water that their horses can't drink. This is similar to the Orientalist idea that the people of Asia and Africa are subpar compared to Europeans, because the Dothraki were seen as unintelligent brutes until Daenerys, a Westerner, became their leader.
In reply to Deleted user

Re: Daenerys and the Dothraki

by Jessica Hines -
I really like the way you've framed this: "Without Daenerys, there really isn't a tie between Westeros and Essos." And I'm wondering here what you think or notice about this connection. Do you think Essos essentially would have remained absent from the series if Daenerys wasn't present? How does the fact that she is the connection between Westeros and Essos shape our perception of Essos?
In reply to Jessica Hines

Re: Daenerys and the Dothraki

by Deleted user -
I don't know if I would say it would be absent all together, given future events that transpire. I do, however, feel that without Daenerys there would not be as much Essos involvement until later in the series. I think that her perspective of Westeros is an important one to have. We understand and know how people like King Robert think about Essos, but without Daenerys, we wouldn't have an opinion on Westeros. For example, Danny doesn't remember Westeros, so Essos is all she knows. The culture and mannerisms there are what she grew up with and have shaped her and how she thinks about Westeros and the people that reside there.
I am a little biased with how I see Essos since I have seen the series, but even now, I get the feeling that Essos is less "civilized" (maybe that's not the best word) or progressive. We know the Dothraki keep slaves and still raid villages, whereas in Westeros there aren't really "slaves" as much as servants. It's actually kind of funny thinking about it. In Essos, the Dothraki raid villages and take hostages as slaves, but also, isn't that the exact same thing that happened when Ned Stark took in Theon? Yet, Essos is the "less civilized" society.