War and Peace in Game of Thrones as An Epic Narrative

Year 2024, Volume: 9 Issue: 1, 17 - 38, 28.06.2024

Büşra Alparslan

https://doi.org/10.62393/aurum.1462750

Abstract

This study aims to examine the war and peace themes in the TV series Game of Thrones, which can be considered as an epic a popular culture narrative. Epics’ themes are of war, adventure and chivalry and they reproduce discourse on values, morality, war and peace though one or more protagonists. Epics, traditionally, construct war discourse by concepts like just war, war ethics and honor, and peace discourse by absence of war. In this study, Game of Thrones, has been examined in terms of war and peace themes via Thematic Analysis. Results revealed that Game of Thrones, somewhat differs from traditional epic narratives. Although classical themes like “just war discourse” pops on and off throughout the show, it is also emphasizes that war is not a glorious act. Showing conflicting perspectives of the warring parties, narrative of the show refutes many narratives that serves as justification of war. Moreover, in Game of Thrones universe, peace is not built on the absence of war. Narrative emphasized that non-conflict is not sufficient but a just administration is necessary for peace. In this context, peacebuilding in the Game of Thrones manifests itself in a way that converges with Galtung's conceptualization of peace.

Keywords

Game of Thrones, Epic, Thematic Analysis, War, Peace

Bir Epik Anlatı Olarak Taht Oyunları’nda Savaş ve Barış

Abstract

Bu çalışma, bir popüler kültür anlatısı içinde bir Epik olarak kabul edilebilecek Taht Oyunları dizisindeki savaş ve barış temalarını incelemeyi amaçlamaktadır. Epiklerin temaları savaş, macera ve şövalyelik gibi temalardır ve bu temalar değerler, ahlak, savaş ve barış üzerine söylemi bir veya daha fazla kahraman aracılığıyla işlenir ve yeniden üretirler. Epikler geleneksel olarak savaş konseptini haklı savaş, savaş ahlakı ve namus gibi temalarla, barış konseptini ise savaşın yokluğu üzerinden kurgular. Bu çalışmada Taht Oyunları, Tematik Analiz yoluyla savaş ve barış temaları açısından incelenmiştir. Sonuçlar Taht Oyunları'nın geleneksel epik anlatılardan biraz farklı olduğunu ortaya çıkarmıştır. Dizinin anlatısında “haklı savaş söylemi” gibi klasik temalar zaman zaman kendini gösterse de geleneksel yaklaşımdan farklı olarak savaşın şanlı bir eylem olmadığı da vurgulanmaktadır. Savaşan tarafların çelişkili bakış açılarını gösteren dizinin anlatımı, savaşı meşrulaştıran pek çok anlatıyı çürütmektedir. Üstelik Taht Oyunları evreninde barış, savaşın yokluğu üzerine kurulmamakta; anlatı, barış için çatışmasızlığın yeterli olmadığını, adil bir yönetimin gerekli olduğunu vurgulamaktadır. Bu bağlamda Taht Oyunlarında barış inşası Galtung’un barış kavramsallaştırmasına yakınsayan bir şekilde tezahür etmektedir.

Keywords

Taht Oyunları, Epik, Tematik Analiz, Savaş, Barış

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