Theology of Thrones #3: Jon Snow and His Disinterest in Power
This is part 3 of my “Theology of Thrones” series which looks at the many themes and characters of Game of Thrones and how it interacts with faith and theology. Check out my introduction here. Part #1here. Part #2 here.
*Spoilers for Season 8 Episode 1: Winterfell
Sunday night’s episode was…interesting. I probably wasn’t the only one more than ready for the Battle of Winterfell, but the show made me slow down and care about the small reunion moments that we need first. And wow, were there a ton of reunions. And a lot of thrown shade…
We also finally got to see Jon Snow react to the news that he is in fact Aegon Targaryen 5th of his name, King of yada yada. Aka the rightful heir, more so than his boo thang Danaerys. This could explode in a few ways, but my prediction is that he won’t want it, even if his supporters want it for him.
The cold, pasty white people from the north don’t seem to like our silver haired queen and if they find out Jon is the actual rightful heir then they’ll definitely give her (and somehow her dragons) the boot.
But Drogon might be on team Jonathan Snowmobile. Was it just me or was he giving Jon snow that lovingly glare? Not sure what that was about, but anyway.
Earlier in the season 8 premiere Jon Snow reminds his northern people and the audience that he didn’t ask to be the King in the North, but the power and responsibility was thrust upon him.
This is one of the many reasons I love Jon, Verys, Tyrion, and a few others: they don’t want the throne, they just want peace for the realm. This is a rare quality to find in Westeros, but one that is extremely admirable.
Ultimate Power
The biggest theme that Game of Thrones explores is power. Through several characters we see effects of power such as jealousy, envy, greed, hate, lust, violence, injustice, and surprisingly sometimes it actually being used to achieve justice.
Jon Snow carries on the legacy of his father (wait… his uncle) Ned Stark. He refuses to add more hate, distrust, and senseless violence to the world. He wants people to be safe and evil to be thwarted, and, to complete his hero persona, he doesn’t even want to be awarded a seat on any throne. He brings virtue into a world desperately in need of it.
And this is one of the most basic correlations Game of Thrones has to our world and faith. It may be hard to see how our world is similar to Game of Thrones, but if you think about it you’ll see.
In our world evil runs rampant. Violence is all over the news: local, domestic, and global. Human trafficking is a booming industry in desperate need of attention and resources to combat it. Men prey on women in the shadows, and if they are privileged enough they don’t see proper reprecussions. The poor are devalued. Foreigners are viewed as criminals for no reason.
Injustice is everywhere in our world and it would naive to think we’re that different than the world of Game of Thrones.
Sure, we don’t have dragons (probably for the best), but when it comes to injustice through misuse of power we aren’t that far off.
Seeking Power
People seek power in many ways big and small. There are many ways people vie for power all the way from kindergarten to retirement homes. I’ve seen middle schoolers treat each other horribly simply because someone doesn’t know something the other does (this doesn’t end at adulthood unfortunately). Something as simple as holding knowledge can be a small and petty way to hold a sense of power over someone.
Think of your work place. What happens when you or a coworker feels powerless? Gossip, misplaced anger, hatred, envy, or sometimes even violence. (remember these effects of power mentioned above?)
If you take a moment to think about it you’ll see power dynamics are everywhere because people want to be in control, they want to be listened to, and they want respect or revenge for being disrespected.
Even in my own life when I feel like things are out of my control I instinctively look around to find a sense of power. This can lead me down some dark paths that cause a ripple effect of problems in my life and in people’s lives around me.
All this power seeking makes us crabs pushing each other down as we try and climb out of a bucket. Instead of working together and not getting in each other’s way, we undermine each other for a pathetic sense of superiority.
The Meek Shall Inherit the Earth
In the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus Christ says, “Blessed are the meek for they shall inherit the earth,” Matthew 5:5.
This is incredible important for our discussion if we understand meekness correctly. Many equate “meek” with “weak,” but it actually means “strength under control.”
In season 5 episode 1, Verys (my favorite character!) talks with Tyrion about what he wants for the Seven Kingdoms. He says he wants, “Peace. Prosperity. A land where the powerful do not pray on the powerless.” He wants a world where power is not used for injustice, but used rightly. He wants whoever who is in power to be meek.
To have power and not abuse it is a godly quality only truly attainable by dependence on Jesus Christ our Savior and perfect example.
We must weed out every lust for power that we find in our hearts and minds so that we can truly love God and love others: the two greatest commandments (Matthew 22:35–40).
Power that leads to injustice is a wheel that won’t stop turning unless we live our lives according to the One who broke the wheel with His death. Jesus showed ultimate meekness on the cross, and in doing so allows us to be saved from our dark, injust world.
Personal Disclaimer: I don’t think this show should be watched by everyone. It can be depressing and deeply challenging to anyone struggling with lust, anger, etc.. The world does not need this show, and you do not need to see it. However, I think it brings up some correlations to our world that can be useful to discuss.
