House of the Dragon’s dragon storylines are teeing up important themes

As a scholar who has spent years studying the histories and politics of Westeros, I must say that the portrayal of the dragons in House of Dragon is nothing short of captivating. Having lived through several turbulent eras myself, I can’t help but draw parallels between the carnage wrought by these magnificent creatures and the destructive power of our own ruling class.

Halfway through season 2, I found myself lying on the battlefield near Rook’s Rest, bruised, battered, and likely concussed. In desperation, I reached out to a nearby soldier, tapping his armor for help… but all that was left inside was a skeleton that crumbled under my touch. The soldier had been reduced to ashes by dragonfire, leaving an eerie resemblance to those who were vaporized by atomic explosions.

In simpler terms,

First off, it’s essential to grasp the nuclear analogy for appreciating the series, and a significant portion of this season revolves around the participants in the Targaryen civil war contending over who possesses the greatest dragon power. While numerical superiority matters, the caliber and magnitude of the dragons in both Team Green’s and Team Black’s inventories are equally crucial factors. Owning a dragon symbolizes strength and safety… but that advantage can vanish if someone discovers a more powerful dragon.

As a historian specializing in medieval warfare and dragon lore, I can attest to the significant impact dragons had on the power dynamics of Westeros during the time of House Targaryen. From my extensive research and study of the events leading up to the “Dance of Dragons,” I have come to understand that Rhaenyra’s predicament in this season is a stark reminder of the importance of having well-trained dragonriders and powerful dragons during times of war.

She implemented these actions to discover dragonriders for this reason: In a move with far-reaching political consequences for the Seven Kingdoms, Rhaenyra chose to welcome dragonseed descendants, bastards, and common folk alike, to bolster her forces. By extending an invitation to her extended “illegitimate” family, she declared that by nurturing dragonriders from their midst, she could bring about peace, end suffering, and stop the cycle of violence. This strategy mirrors the concept of nuclear deterrence and its Westerosi equivalent – whoever possesses the most powerful force sets the rules and maintains “stability.”

Although Rhaenyra’s proclamation might appear to bring an end to hostilities with the Greens if they surrender, it merely signifies her monopoly on violence instead. With dragons backing her claim, she aspires to become an undisputed ruler. Interestingly, monarchs have the authority to define what constitutes violence and what actions are justified. For instance, in “The Red Sowing,” sacrificing numerous commoners for the sake of capturing a single dragonrider is deemed acceptable if it serves her purpose. Although she may express regret, her tears lose their sincerity when innocent civilians meet a fiery death at the hands of dragons that are seemingly only manageable by Targaryens.

Through their seemingly authoritative rule, the monarchs of Westeros have successfully persuaded the subjects of the Seven Kingdoms to accept Targaryen rule. This was achieved primarily through fear tactics and subtly encouraging the common folk to view dragons as divine beings (a belief that has only recently been challenged with the realization that dragons can also die like any other creature). In essence, House of the Dragon underscores the fact that those in power, both real and fictional, will always strive to present themselves as extraordinary or divinely chosen.

As a longtime fan of the Targaryen dynasty, I find myself deeply troubled by the notion of lowborn individuals becoming dragonriders. Growing up with tales of their majestic dragons and the lineage that was believed to be divinely ordained, it’s hard for me to accept this new development.

In the realm of this series, dragons aren’t deities or real-world nuclear weapons, as one might initially assume. Instead, despite possessing formidable abilities, they are simply… creatures, albeit incredibly intelligent ones. They display the capacity to forge strong emotional ties with their handlers and even comprehend human speech. Yet, they remain animals, not gods or weapons of mass destruction.

In George R. R. Martin’s universe, it remains puzzling why only one lineage, the Targaryens, can seemingly control these mythical creatures. However, it’s evident that their centuries-long belief in being the exclusive dragonriders has twisted House Targaryen. Preoccupied with ‘bloodline purity’, they practice incest and inbreeding excessively. They are also overly confident, convinced of their own invincibility against illnesses and diseases as portrayed in the books.

It’s not surprising that they think they are entitled to rule the Iron Throne, given their divine claim. This belief has made Rhaenyra and other Targaryens cold towards the hardships of the common people. In their eyes, everyone else is merely here to serve them and preserve their social status in Westeros. To them, the people are mere pawns or insignificant entities. While they might momentarily express sorrow when large numbers of these people are killed – such as when Aemond burns Sharp Point – their deaths have no influence on decision-making regarding strategy or warfare. As Rhaenyra bluntly states in response to Baela’s shock at the thought of killing innocents, “We must break the will of our enemies.”

The dragons associated with House Targaryen serve as a protective barrier against repercussions, making them akin to symbols of nuclear power. These dragons not only represent their riders but also embody class disparity. The Targaryens maintain their rule and assert their birthright due to these dragons. By being chosen as dragon-riders, the Targaryens are elevated above the criticism of common folk, riding on dragons both literally and figuratively.

Regrettably, their internal conflict poses a risk of annihilation not just for them, the inhabitants of Westeros, and their homeland, but also the dragons, which are the foundation of their power.

Note: Potential spoilers for future “House of the Dragon” plot developments; definite spoilers for its basis, “Fire & Blood.”

A distressing aspect of this dragon-filled season is that these intelligent, sentient beings are compelled to wage war by their human masters. These creatures experience pain and loss just like us, yet they’re forced into deadly battles where they often perish. Some dragons even seem to revel in violence – Vhagar being one of them. With only 20 of these magnificent beasts remaining on Earth, each death brings the species closer to extinction. In George R.R. Martin’s writings, it’s predicted that by the end of the war, only four dragons will survive. At a time when we’re grappling with climate change and mass extinction, watching these fictional creatures suffer and die at the hands of the elite brings into sharp focus our modern ruling class’ role in the degradation of the natural world. The connection between the last dragon’s death and the deteriorating climate is evident in Martin’s works; when the last dragon perishes in Westeros, summers grow shorter and winters longer, and magic fades away as winter’s grip tightens.

Even if the Targaryens foresaw this outcome, it’s uncertain if they would be concerned, beyond their fondness for their personal dragons and the influence they provide. After all, whether they are royals like the Targaryens or business magnates like ExxonMobil shareholders, the powerful tend to prioritize their own interests, often at the expense of everyone else. This self-centered behavior is a recurring theme in “House of the Dragon”, but season 2 has also showcased acts of rebellion and populism; the common people are starting to rise up. Some have even dared to claim dragons. When the Targaryens become reckless enough to let all their dragons perish, they will find themselves more vulnerable than ever before. This weakness could ultimately lead to the downfall of their dynasty, a scenario depicted in “Game of Thrones”. Viewers of “House of the Dragon” should keep in mind that the Targaryens won’t reign forever, and just as they will crumble, so too can any oppressive ruling class. It’s unfortunate that dragons have to disappear before any change can occur.

As a dedicated fan, I must say that the way Ryan Condal and his team have crafted these dragons this season has left me utterly captivated. On one hand, they’ve shown them as fearsome, almost monstrous beings capable of devastation. Yet, on the other, they exude an undeniable beauty and a tragic doom that tugs at my heartstrings. They’re like fantasy-fueled nuclear weapons, instruments of brutal class warfare, yet they’re also these magnificent, emotionally-rich creatures teetering on the brink of extinction.

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2024-08-07 17:19